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The Chinese government ordered the suspension of the work of a medical team that claimed to have contributed to the creation of the first baby in the world to be edited by a gene.
Renowned scientists said that it was still too early to attempt to make permanent modifications to the DNA that could be inherited by future generations.
China's Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Xu Nanping, said on CCTV state television Thursday that his ministry was strongly opposed to efforts to produce binoculars earlier this month.
Xu called the team shares illegal and unacceptable, and said that an investigation had been ordered, but made no mention of specific actions undertaken.
The researcher He Jiankui claims to have altered the DNA of the twins to try to make them resistant to infection with the AIDS virus.
The mainstream scientists have condemned the experiment, and universities and government groups are conducting research.
His experience "has crossed the line of morality and ethics to which the academic community adheres and has been shocking and unacceptable," said Xu.
A group of leading scientists gathered this week in Hong Kong for an international conference on gene editing, the opportunity to rewrite the code of life to try to correct or prevent disease.
Although science is promising to help people already born and that studies are underway, a statement issued Thursday by the 14-member conference, stating that it's irresponsible to try on eggs, sperm or embryos, except in the laboratory, is insufficient. still known about its risks or safety.
The conference was shaken by the Chinese researcher's badertion of having contributed to the creation of the first baby in the world to be edited by a gene. The conference leaders called for the opening of an independent inquiry into the complaint of Mr. He, who spoke with the group on Wednesday, while the international criticism of his complaint is unclear. ; accentuated.
There is no independent confirmation of what he says he did. He was scheduled to speak again at the conference on Thursday, but he left Hong Kong and through a spokesman said, "I will stay in China, my home country. , and I will cooperate fully with all inquiries regarding my work.My the raw data will be made available for review by a third party. "
Several leading scientists said the case was a failure of the police on the ground and the need for stricter principles or regulations.
Genetic editing for reproductive purposes may be considered in the future "but only when medical needs warrant", with a clear understanding of the risks and benefits, as well as in certain other conditions, said Dr. Victor Dzau , President of the US National Academy of Medicine. sponsors of the conference.
"Failure to follow these guidelines would be irresponsible," he added.
The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society of the United Kingdom, the US National Academy of Sciences, and the US National Academy of Sciences also sponsored this three-day conference.
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