More than a hundred scientists in China consider that the genetic publishing of babies is crazy

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – More than 100 scientists, mostly in China, have described the alteration of human genes as "madness" and unethical, after a geneticist claimed to have altered the genes of the twins.

In an open letter circulating on the Internet, scientists said that the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to alter human embryo genes was dangerous, unwarranted and harmed the reputation and development of the biomedical community in China.

In videos published online, scientist He Jiankui defended what he claimed to have achieved, claiming that he had carried out the editing of embryonic genes to protect babies born this month of infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

"The biomedical ethical badysis of this so-called survey only exists in name. Direct human experiences can only be described as crazy," said the scientists in a letter, including a copy was published by the Chinese information website Paper.

"The Pandora's Box has been opened, we could still have a glimmer of hope to close it before it's too late," said about 120 scientists in the text, written in Chinese.

Yang Zhengang, a professor at Fudan University, told Reuters that he had signed the letter because the modification of the gene was "very dangerous".

Himself, who is due to speak Wednesday at a summit on human genome editing at the University of Hong Kong, has not responded to a request for comments from Reuters. The University of Science and Technology of the South, where he has an badociate chair, said that he had not been aware of the research project and that he was the incumbent. a license.

The National Health Commission of China said Monday "very concerned" and ordered the provincial health authorities "to investigate and clarify the case immediately".