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HONG KONG (AP) – The latest news from a scientist that he would have been the first baby in the world to be modified by means of a gene (every hour is local):
1:15 p.m.
A Chinese scientist made his first public comment on Wednesday about his claim to have helped create the first baby in the world to be edited by a gene.
He Jiankui (JEE-ahn-qway) from Shenzhen detailed the work that, he said, led to the birth earlier this month of binoculars which he modified the DNA during the design.
The work is very controversial because the changes can be passed on to future generations and could harm other genes.
He spoke Wednesday at a conference on gene editing in Hong Kong, the first time he was discussing his experience in a public place.
He says he changed the binoculars' DNA when they were designed to try to help them resist a possible infection with the AIDS virus.
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10:30
A prominent American scientist warns of a brutal reaction to the claim that a Chinese scientist would have helped to create the first baby in the world to be edited by a gene.
Dr. George Daley, dean of the medical school at Harvard Medical School, said it would be unfortunate that an error in one case would lead scientists and regulators to reject the good that could come from the modification of DNA to treat or prevent diseases.
Daley spoke Wednesday at an international conference in Hong Kong, where Chinese scientist He Jiankui (HEH JEE-ahn-qway) from Shenzhen was also scheduled to speak.
He says he changed the binoculars' DNA when they were designed to try to help them resist a possible infection with the AIDS virus.
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