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This week, He Jiankui, a Chinese scientist, shocked the world by claiming that he had created the first genetically modified babies.
And this Wednesday, at a human genome summit in Hong Kong, He Jiankui defended his project by claiming that he was "proud" of having changed the genes of the genome. a pair of twins so that they can not contract the HIV virus.
However, his claims and even less his works were verified independently.
Immediately, dozens of scientists condemned his announcement and called it "monstrous". The editing of human genes is prohibited in most countries.
A spokesman for the South Shenzhen University of Science and Technology, whose professor is a member, said he was not aware of the research project and would launch a research project
I confirmed this week that the university was not aware and I added that he had himself funded the experiment.
At BBC World, we show you the main points of the controversy created by the controversial Chinese scientist.
What did Professor He Jiankui say?
I announced earlier this week that I had modified the DNA of two embryos – two binoculars – to prevent them from contracting the HIV virus.
Wednesday, at a conference held in Hong Kong at the meeting on the human genome edition, it was the first time that he was speaking in public about the project.
There he revealed that the twins – known as "Lulu" and "Nana" – were born "normal and healthy" and add that he plans to monitor them all both for the next 18 years.
He explains that eight couples – made up of HIV-positive parents and HIV-negative mothers – voluntarily enrolled in the experiment. According to the scientist, one of the couples then left the project.
The professor also explained that the study had been sent to a scientific publication for review and badysis, although she did not give the name of the medium.
] And he concluded by saying that another "pregnancy with genetically modified embryos" was in its initial phase.
Why is it so controversial?
The tool CRISPR for the editing of genes that he had said used in his experience is not new to the scientific world since his discovery in 2012.
It works with the help of "molecular scissors" to modify a very specific chain of DNA, either by cutting it, replacing it, or by replacing it. Adjusting
Genetic editing could potentially help prevent hereditary diseases by clearing or modifying failed embryo codes.
But many experts worry that manipulation or editing of the genome An embryo can cause harm not only to the individual but also to future generations who inherit these changes .
His experiences were largely rejected by other colleagues.
Hundreds of Chinese scientists they signed a letter, published on social networks, condemning the investigation and explaining that they "totally opposed" to the proceedings.
"If true, this experience is monstrous, genetic editing is experimental and always badociated with mutations, with the possibility of creating a genetic problem in people's lives, even if they develop a type of cancer. ", said Professor Julian Savulescu at the BBC. University of Oxford
" This experiment exposes healthy children to the risk of genetic verification without the necessary benefit" he added.
In many countries, laws prohibit the use of genetic editing for medically badisted procreation in humans.
Scientists can perform gene editing experiments on discarded embryos, provided that they are destroyed immediately and that they are not used for human implantation.
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