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The announcement was made by Professor He Jiankui, who upset the world saying that he had created the first genetically modified baby
This week, He Jiankui, a Chinese scientist, has upset 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 saying "proud" of having modified the genes of a pair of twins so that they can not contract HIV
However, his claims and even less his works have not been independently verified.
Immediately, dozens of scientists condemned his ad and described it as "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 that he was not aware of the research project and that he would start such a project. research
I confirmed this week that the university was not aware and I added that he had himself funded the experiment.
At the BBC World, we show you the main points of the controversy created by the controversial Chinese scientist.
What does he say he found? Professor He Jiankui?
I announced earlier this week that I had modified the DNA of two embryos – two binoculars – to prevent them from contracting the HIV virus.
On Wednesday, at a conference on the occasion of the meeting on the human genome publishing in Hong Kong, he talked about the project for the first time in public.
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 over the next 18 years.
He explains that eight couples – made up of HIV-positive parents and HIV-negative mothers – enrolled voluntarily for 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 support.
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 used in his experiment was not new to the scientific world, since its discovery in 2012.
He uses "molecular scissors" to modify a very specific DNA chain, either by cutting it, replacing it or adjusting it. 3] Genetic editing could potentially help to prevent Hereditary diseases by erasing or modifying failed embryo codes
But many experts are concerned that manipulating or altering the genome of an embryo will harm the individual, but future generations will inherit these changes.
His experiences have been largely rejected by other colleagues.
Hundreds of Chinese scientists signed a letter, published on social networks, condemning the investigation and explaining that they "totally opposed" to the He procedure.
"If true, this experiment is monstrous, genetic editing is experimental and is always badociated with mutations, with the possibility of creating a genetic problem in people's lives, even if they develop a type of cancer, "Professor Julian Savulescu told 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 prevent the use of genetic resources for genetic editing for medically badisted procreation in humans.
Scientists can perform gene editing experiments on discarded embryos, provided that they are immediately destroyed and that they are not implanted in humans.
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