A Chinese scientist under fire from the baby genetic publishing- ucanews.com

A Chinese scientist who claims to have created the world's first genetically modified babies has been condemned by scientists and religious figures for his "immoral" action. On November 25, He Jiankui, an associate professor at the South Shenzhen University of Science and Technology, announced on YouTube that twins with altered genes were born in China this month. The genes of "Lulu" and "Nana" have been modified so that they naturally resist HIV, said the scientist at the Hong Kong Human Genome Publishing Summit on Nov. 28. His work has not been verified. Such gene editing work is banned in most countries, including China. Her university said she was not aware of the research project and would launch an investigation. The scientist was on leave without pay since February. The professor spoke in English at the summit, saying that he felt "proud" of his research. He explained that eight couples – made up of HIV-positive fathers and HIV-negative mothers – had voluntarily enrolled for the experiment, but that one couple had subsequently dropped out. He said HIV was a problem in many developing countries and made infected children discriminated against. "What we can do to help these people is the need for this project," he said. The professor said that he would not disclose the identity of babies because of the violation of Chinese laws and that his university was not aware of the experience. He added that the meeting with the participating couples had lasted about 70 minutes to make sure that they understood the study and agreed to accept the implantation of two embryos in the mother's home. . He added that the research team would continue to monitor the growth and health of twins until the age of 18. "I will take care of them with all my money and energy and I am ready to take responsibility for the rest of my life," he said. I said. Father Joseph Tham, a professor at the School of Bioethics of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, said the experiment was unfair to genetically modified babies. (Photo provided) After listening to Il's speech, Tsui Lap-chee, chairman of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, said the professor had not clarified his doubts about his experience. The geneticist told ucanews.com that there was a code to follow in scientific research. "Each step is to testify and share with others, but he is anxious to succeed.In the end, babies are his experimental product, not the recipient of medical aid.It is totally contrary to ethical standards. "

Tsui said the experience was "totally unqualified" from a moral point of view. "It was a mistake to do research on AIDS because AIDS had drugs to treat it and could also be prevented by education, so why use a method as difficult to solve this problem?" He asked. He described the two girls as "unfortunate" and said the incident proved that it was necessary to strengthen the moral and ethical review of scientific experiments, and even to discuss the & examen des des,,,,,,,,. opportunity to regulate these experiments legally or under license. Father Joseph Tham, a professor at the School of Bioethics of the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum Atheneum in Rome, told ucanews.com that it seemed like the scientist had not thought about it. Experience from the point of view of babies. "Has he thought about their future?" What about their psychological development and their health? Nobody knows it and it's unfair to girls. Even so he says that he will take care of them, he is not a doctor and their relationship is with a scientist, "he said. The priest also pointed out that in terms of informed consent, "we have very strict requirements, did he tell the parents that the experience was unprecedented and that the result was unknown?" Cardinal Elio Sgreccia, retired president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, was quoted by Vatican News as saying that "the most important heritage of humanity is the genetic heritage", which is inviolable "because any change will have an impact on all humanity". Therefore, "we must adhere to the precautionary principle and firmly say no." He said that all technically feasible things were not ethically feasible. The cardinal urged the Lord to exercise caution, justice and rigor in scientific research, and called on lawmakers to strengthen the law in this area "because it is not a person but all the people who are injured ".