A scientist who modified the genes of twins laments for having been poorly transparent – 12/01/2019



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Nearly two months after He Jiankui came out of the spotlight after shocking the world by claiming to have changed the genes of two binoculars, the Chinese scientist told a Stanford University researcher that he regretted not being more open and transparent about his

While authorities investigate their controversial work, guards are on duty in front of the apartment where he lives with his family, at the University Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China, said William Hurlbut, badociate professor at Stanford School of Medicine. He has been contacting Hurlbut since the last public appearance of the Chinese scientist at a conference in Hong Kong in November, said an American academic.

Although he sees no technical error in his preclinical research, the researcher laments the way he approached his clinical studies, according to Hurlbut. He believes that he "should have had a closer dialogue with the scientific and bioethical community," the Stanford neurobiologist said Friday by e-mail.

The fact that he altered the genes of the twins when they were embryos, in an attempt to make them resistant to HIV, triggered an antagonistic reaction throughout the world. His university repudiated the work and his fellow researchers rebuked the scientist, including Hurlbut, whom he had consulted over the past two years as part of his genetic research.

"Zero tolerance in the management of dishonorable behavior" in research. Last month, he also asked universities to consult all research papers on genetic modification and to check if there had been a breach of ethical standards.

It is not known where the Chinese researcher has been since November. We could not contact He for comments. "He told me that in his personal situation as well as in the investigation process, he was treated with respect," Hurlbut said in a statement. interview Thursday. He can go for walks, send emails and call friends. The Chinese scientist believes that the guards offer "reasonable" protection, given the wide range of reactions to his research, "he said.

Considering that he describes his situation, the Stanford professor he said he was surprised a recent press report speculating that he could be the subject of charges resulting in a death sentence.

The Asian scholar, criticized for the surreptitious way in which he behaved as part of his genetic modification project, proved challenging in November, claiming that he was "proud" of his work and moved by compbadion for people stigmatized and affected by HIV

As he waits for the end of the investigation, his research has provoked a broad global debate about the extent to which the scientific community and governments can push the boundaries of genetic science. [19659002] "With regard to discussions about what research has shown, what Every time we come and what we have to do, everything is much bigger. It's not just He Jiankui, "Hurlbut said. It's about knowing how to govern and guide international science. "

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