A Chinese scientist who claimed to have helped create the first babies in the world to be modified by a gene is now under investigation by government bodies and his own university.
He Jiankui, a 34-year-old associate professor based in Shenzhen, southern China, said his lab had used the powerful CRISPR gene editing tool to modify human embryos, which led to the birth of binoculars earlier in the month, he said.
There is no independent confirmation yet, but scientists and regulators have been quick to condemn the experiment as unethical and unscientific.
The National Health Commission on Monday ordered local officials in Guangdong Province – where Shenzhen is located – to investigate its actions. CCTV, the Chinese state broadcaster, reported Tuesday that if births were confirmed, its record would be processed "in accordance with the laws and regulations in force." It is unclear whether he could be subject to criminal prosecution.
The South University of Science and Technology, its employer, said in a statement that it was unaware of its gene editing work, and opened an investigation. The school said his research "seriously violates ethics and academic standards."
He is also dealing with the investigations of the Shenzhen Medical Ethics Committee and the Chinese Academy of Science University Division.
His research team included Michael Deem, his former adviser at Rice University, a professor of physics, who sits on the scientific advisory board of his two genetics companies. Rice said she opened an investigation into Deem's involvement.
"Until now, the main answer in China is to condemn and criticize this work," said Jing-Bao Nie, expert in Chinese bioethics at the University of Otago in New Zealand.
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Last updated: Wednesday, November 28, 2018 KSA 1:24 – GMT 10:24 PM
