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The Chinese researcher behind a controversial experiment to produce gene-edited children spoke at a conference in Hong Kong to explain his work and acknowledged that the international outcry had ended the experiment.
"The clinical trial was halted because of the current situation," He Jiankui, a biomedical researcher at Shenzhen's Southern University Science and Technology, said today at the second International Summit on Human Genome Modification.
The university said that He (pronounced "Heh") had been on unpaid leave since January, and today, according to Chinese media, his lab on campus has been closed and closed for the purpose. ;investigation.
He said that he and his colleagues had embarked on an unprecedented experiment to help fathers with HIV to give birth to HIV-free children. As a result of the lawsuit, binoculars under the aliases of Lulu and Nana were born in recent weeks from an HIV-positive father, Mark, and a mother without HIV, Grace, announced this week this week.
The girls developed from in vitro fertilized embryos and genetically engineered using a technique called CRISPR, he added. The technique was aimed at disabling a gene called CCR5 that plays a role in the spread of the HIV virus to healthy cells. DNA testing suggests that the strategy was most effective for one twin, but less so for the other, according to the He report.
There was no external confirmation of the results of the experiment, but he said they had been submitted to a scientific journal for review.
"In fact, I'm proud of this particular case," he said. "I'm most proud because Mark lost all hope of life, but with this protection, he sent a message saying that he would work hard, earn money and take care of his two daughters and of his wife."
Other researchers have noted, however, that there are much less controversial methods to protect children from HIV infection from their parents. One method, called sperm washing, was used during the in vitro fertilization phase of the trial.
In total, seven couples were enrolled in the clinical trial and the implantation of gene-modified embryos resulted in another "potential pregnancy," he said. But in response to a supplementary question, he acknowledged that it was a chemical pregnancy, a term that could apply to early miscarriage.
He has faced many criticisms about the circumstances of the experiment. Such experiences would be illegal in many countries, including the United States. A statement by Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, touched on several bases:
"The project was carried out largely in secret, the medical necessity of inactivating CCR5 in these infants is quite convincing, the informed consent process seems highly debatable, and the possibility of damaging harmful effects n & rsquo; Has not been satisfactorily explored. It is deeply regrettable that the first apparent application of this powerful technique to the human germ line has been achieved so irresponsibly. "
Collins said the episode underscored the urgent need to develop a binding international consensus on setting limits for such research. "If such epic scientific mishaps continue, an extremely promising technology for the prevention and treatment of the disease would be overshadowed by a public scandal, fear and disgust," he said.
New statements of disapproval are expected to come out of the Hong Kong meeting and many investigations are under way in China and the United States.
The dice are thrown away, at least as far as Lulu and Nana are concerned. He said the health of the twins should be monitored for the next 18 years and beyond to adulthood if they consent. In the short term, the researcher announced that blood tests would be done to detect any sign of HIV infection and that girls would also be screened for any non-targeted genetic effect.
Even if the experiment worked perfectly, Lulu and Nana could be faced with other health problems: the same CCR5 gene mutation that reduces the risk of HIV infection increases the risk of HIV infection. infection with influenza virus and West Nile virus.
He Jiankui did not express any regret regarding the conduct of the study, but apologized for the way it was revealed. "These results fled unexpectedly," which means that the complete data could not be presented for the first time in a scientific location, he added.
The last question asked at the Hong Kong meeting concerned the personal angle: would he have pursued such an experience if it involved his family?
"If my baby has the same situation, I will try it first," he said.
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