They order research on the birth of genetically modified babies – Health – Life
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China ordered an investigation Monday after Chinese researcher claimed to have in vitro fertilization with modified genes giving rise to HIV virus-resistant twins, an experiment considered "dangerous" ". irresponsible. "
He Jiankui, a professor at the University of Shenzhen in southern China, posted on YouTube a video announcing the birth, a few weeks ago, of two twins whose DNA has modified to resist the AIDS virus, he said the father is HIV-positive
After Chinese scientists and institutions received this announcement with much criticism, the National Health Commission in 1945 ordered immediate investigation "on this case reported the Chinese Xinhua News Agency.
The researcher, trained at Stanford in the United States and heading a genome laboratory in Shenzhen, explained that he had used the Crispr-Cas9 technique, called "genetic scissors", which allows the removal and replacement of unwanted parts of the genome., how to correct an error in a computer.
Babies, called "Lula" and " Nana », s were born from in vitro fertilization of a modified embryo before being implanted in the mother's uterus. "Immediately after injecting the husband's sperm into the egg, an embryologist injected a Crispr-Cas9 protein to modify a gene to protect the girls from future HIV infection ", explained He Jiankui. 19659006] Make such statements, apparently to deliberately seek as much controversy as possible. It is irresponsible
An unverified experiment
Genetic modification of a DNA can be used to prevent diseases but this practice is problematic insofar as genetic modifications will inherit generations future and will involve a new form of eugenics.
The MIT Technology Review recalled that "technology has an ethical responsibility". The announcement of this medical experiment took place on the eve of the beginning of a world genome experts conference in Hong Kong, on the occasion of which the Chinese researcher was to present results in detail.
However, after the criticisms received, his intervention in this congress of genetics is not guaranteed. This self-proclaimed medical experience has not been independently verified. The Chinese team did not publish its results in a scientific journal
A "very problematic" practice
As a result of the announcement, many Chinese scientists and organizations criticized this experience. The university in which he works reports that he stopped receiving his salary since February and felt that fertilization with modified genes represented "a violation of the ethical standards of the academy and its standards. ". " This survey was conducted outside the framework of the university ," said Monday the University of Science and Technology South in a statement.
A hundred Chinese scientists have also issued a joint statement criticizing the experience and calling for a change in legislation on in vitro fertilization. This medical experiment was known for some time, but no scientist dared to use it because "no one can predict the uncertain impact of these genetic changes," criticizes this group of scientists who believe have opened "a Pandora's box".
In addition, international researchers criticized the announcement made through a video on YouTube . "Announcing these results in a video on YouTube is a very problematic scientific practice," said Nicholas Evans, professor of philosophy at the University of Mbadachusetts Lowell, in the United States, who works on bioethics issues.
"This takes us away from the control processes on which many scientific advances, such as peer evaluation, are based," he added, interviewed by AFP. Whether it is announced or not, the issue raises "serious ethical issues," says Sarah Chan, of the University of Edinburgh, cited by the Science Media Center.
"[ Making such statements, apparently to deliberately seek maximum controversy (…), is irresponsible ," he added. He Jiankui did not immediately respond to AFP's questions.
AFP
