Gene editing experts say that there is no valid scientific reason to make CRISPR babies

When He Jiankui came on the scene at the Second World Summit on the Modification of Human Genes and presented data on the first genetically modified human babies in the worldthere was only silence and a quick closure of the camera's lenses.

Following his presentation, there was a cacophony of noise. He Jiankui was widely condemned by the scientific community for use revolutionary CRISPR gene modification technology cut the DNA in human embryos. Two Chinese experts have now reviewed the data presented at the conference, and discovered that these methods were not only unethical, but scientifically flawed.

The paper, published in PLOS Biology on April 30, and written by Haoyi Wang and Hui Yang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, breaks down the work of He Jiankui. Their criticisms extend to the He targeting of the CCR5 gene, to its method of validating the results and to the reasoning underlying the realization of gene editing experiments.

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CRISPR explained with chips (and assorted snacks)

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In a full breakdown, the authors note a number of experimental shortcomings:

• Gene editing embryos are not necessary to prevent HIV transmission to the fetus and provide no benefit to babies.
• There is currently no detail on the long-term follow-up of twins.
• They call "absurd" data and suggest that the quality of science is "very poor and superficial".
• We have an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms of DNA repair and results, which introduces more risk.

Wang and Yang note that the data presented by Il remain unpublished and that they can not sufficiently control the data presented on the PowerPoint slides presented at last November's summit. They ask "the authorities to thoroughly examine all the original data and to disclose the facts to the scientific community and the general public".

The authors conclude that "after reaching a clear consensus, clear and strict laws must be adopted, implemented and applied internationally", but suggest that technologies for modifying human embryos continue to be developed because they can provide important solutions to genetic diseases. .

He was working immediately suspended following his presentation at the November summit. Preliminary investigations by the Chinese authorities in January, the experiences were described as "unethical" and "illegal". The people involved in the investigation stated that He Jiankui and "other staff members and organizations concerned" would be punished according to the laws and regulations.