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Chinese authorities are investigating a Chinese scientist who allegedly helped create the first genetically modified baby in the world.
He Jiankui, badociate professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology of Shenzhen, China, had declared that he modified embryos for seven couples during fertility treatments
The National Commission of Health ordered the local authorities of Guangdong Province – where Shenzhen is located – to investigate He's actions, reported AP . One of the employers at the Southern University of Science and Technology also said in a statement that she was not aware of her work on human gene editing and had opened an investigation, she added.
The university, according to BBC [BBC stated that he was on leave without pay since February. The scientist also said that the university was not aware of his experience, which he had financed by himself.
On Wednesday, while he was addressing nearly 700 people attending the Human Genome Publishing Summit at the University of Hong Kong, he said proud.
"In this case, I am proud, I am the most proud," he said, interviewed by several of his peers at the conference.
Asked if there were other modified genetic pregnancies in his trials. He said that there was another "potential" pregnancy and answered "yes" to a follow-up question about whether it was "a chemical pregnancy." ", which refers to an early miscarriage.
It was not clear if the pregnancy was a pregnancy.
He also, according to Reuters ignored fears that the research was conducted in secret, explaining that he had engaged the scientific community over the past three years.
"This study was submitted to a scientific journal
In videos posted online this week, he said he used a genetic modification technology, CRISPR-Cas9, to modify the embryonic genes of binoculars born this month
According to The Guardian he stated that he wished to prevent HIV from being inherited from a parent, as many children were affected by the virus in China. Eight couples were enrolled in the study and another had dropped out of school According to the criteria, the father had to be HIV-positive and the mother HIV-negative
Scientists and the Chinese government denounced the work He and a hospital in connection with his research suggest his ethical approval had been forged.
Conference moderator, Robin Lovell-Badge, said the summit's organizers were not aware of the issue. 39; hi until his revelation this week. "I think the scientific community has failed in self-regulation because of a lack of transparency," said Baltimore quoted by The Guardian citing Baltimore in particular.
CRISPR-Cas9 is a technology that allows scientists to cut and paste DNA, creating hope for genetic solutions to the disease. However, there are concerns about security and ethics.
The scientists attending the conference asked He to prove that the couples taking part in the research were aware of all the risks involved. According to Reuters .
He stated that all participants had "good educational background" and had two rounds of discussions with him and his team. (With contributions from Reuters)
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