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A group of renowned scientists said that it was too early to try to make permanent changes to DNA that could be inherited by future generations, as claimed by a Chinese researcher.
Scientists gathered this week in Hong Kong for an international conference on gene editing, the opportunity to rewrite the code of life to try to correct or prevent disease.
Although science is promising to help previously born people, a statement issued by the leaders of the 14-member conference says that it's irresponsible to try it on eggs, sperm or eggs. embryos because the risks are insufficiently known.
According to Chinese researcher He Jiankui, the conference contributed to the creation of the first baby in the world to be published by a gene, binoculars that, according to him, were born earlier this month.
I will stay in China, my country of origin, and I will fully cooperate with any inquiries regarding my work.
He jiankui
The conference leaders called for the opening of an independent investigation into the complaint of Mr. He, from Shenzhen, who spoke with the group on Wednesday while international criticism of the request was made. # 39; accentuated.
Several renowned scientists said that the case showed a failure of the police on the ground and the need for stricter regulation.
Some rules should have already prevented this, said Alta Charo, a lawyer and bioethicist at the University of Wisconsin and conference organizer.
"I think the failure was his, not the scientific community," Charo said.
The three-day conference was sponsored by the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society of the United Kingdom, the US National Academy of Sciences and the US National Academy of Medicine.
There is no independent confirmation of what Mr. He says he did. He was scheduled to speak again Thursday at the conference, but he left Hong Kong and through a spokesperson said: "I will stay in China, my home country, and I will cooperate fully with any requests for information regarding my work.
"My raw data will be made available to third parties."
"It is not unreasonable to expect the scientific community to follow the guidelines," said David Baltimore, Nobel laureate of the California Institute of Technology, who led the panel.
Gene editing for reproductive purposes could be considered in the future, "but only when medical needs are dire," with a clear understanding of the risks and benefits, as well as in certain other conditions, said Victor Dzau, President of the US National Academy of Medicine.
"Failure to follow these guidelines would be irresponsible," he added.
Press Association
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