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He Jiangkui received a scandalous fame after stating that he was able to alter the genome of babies and achieve the birth of the first genetically modified children in the world. Now the scientist is defending his research.
Speaking at a summit on genetics in Hong Kong, He Jiankui said he was proud of his work. According to him, it is now possible to save another pregnancy with a genetically modified embryo.
The statements of the Chinese scientist about his achievements have no independent confirmations. But many scientists have condemned He Jiangkui, some even described the idea as monstrous.
In many countries, these studies are prohibited.
At the Southern University of Science and Technology, in Shenzhen, they reported that they did not know the experiences of their employees and now had the intention of launching an investigation.
Professor Jiankui announced earlier this week that he had changed the DNA of embryos (twin girls) so that they were not infected with HIV.
He claims to have succeeded in destroying the CCR5 gene and thereby enhancing the immunity of girls against HIV.
Hundreds of Chinese scientists have signed an open letter in social networks, in which they have condemned such experiences.
"If that's true, then it's monstrous. The process of gene change is still experimental, it is still badociated with unplanned mutations that can cause genetic problems sooner or later, including the development of cancer, "expert Professor Julian Savulescu told BBC in Ethics at the University of Oxford.
"Normal and healthy"
Speaking at the Human Genome Summit at the University of Hong Kong, Professor Jiankui said that the twins, named Lulu and Nana, were born normal and in good health. The scientist said he and his colleagues plan to monitor the twins for the next 18 years.
He Jiankui said that 8 pairs of HIV-positive fathers and HIV-negative mothers had enrolled in the genome modification experiment of the embryo, a pair having subsequently dropped out of school.
He added that he had initially funded the experiment himself.
The CRISPR gene editing technology was discovered in 2012. Its essence lies in the use of "molecular scissors" to change the strand of DNA, from which unnecessary parts are either removed or removed. replaced by others. This technology has been used by the Chinese scientist.
The editing of genes can theoretically help to avoid inherited diseases by removing or modifying embryonic DNA genes.
Opponents of such experiments believe that genome modification can harm future generations.
In many countries, including the United Kingdom, the law prohibits the genetic manipulation of embryos.
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