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China has suspended the activities of a scientist who would have managed to change for the first time in the world genetic genes in children and announced that she would conduct investigations.
Chinese scientist He Jian Kui caused a wave of anger earlier this week when he told a genome summit in Hong Kong that he had "altered the twin genes" to protect them from the disease. HIV infection.
These claims have not been verified, but if they are true, they will violate the stringent rules for modifying human genes.
The South University of Science and Technology of Xinxin District, where he works, said that she knew nothing of his experience.
The university said earlier this week that she had been on paid leave since February and confirmed that she would investigate the allegations.
The Chinese Ministry of Science said Thursday that it had "called on concerned organizations to suspend its scientific activities".
The National Health Commission has already stated that it was working "as a flagrant violation of China's laws, standards and ethical standards".
He announced that he had modified the DNA of twin embryos, Lula and Nana, to protect them from HIV infection.
At the University of Hong Kong Human Genome Adaptation Summit, he said the two girls "were born naturally and in good health," adding that they were expected to follow them over the next 18 years .
He added that he himself had funded the experience, pointing out that the university was not aware of his experience.
Eight couples of HIV-positive parents and non-HIV-positive mothers voluntarily engaged in the experiment, before a couple would retire later, he said.
He stated that his study had been submitted to a scientific review for review, but did not disclose his name, but he avoided other details, including the names of "other experts" who said he had examined his work. and have guided him.
He claimed that the genetic modification tool that he used, called CRSP, was not new to scientific research and was first discovered in 2012.
Molecular scissors are used to modify a particular type of DNA, either by cutting it, replacing it, or modifying it.
Genetic modification can help prevent genetic diseases by suppressing or altering the disturbed coding of embryos.
However, experts are concerned that interferences in the embryo genome may not cause harm not only to individuals, but also to future generations who might inherit the same changes.
Hundreds of scientists in China and around the world have quickly condemned the claims of the Chinese world.
"These tests are brutal," said Julian Savolisco, professor of medical ethics at the University of Oxford.
"Gene modification is still in the experimental stage and can lead to immediate or subsequent problems, including cancer," he said, adding that healthy children could alter genes without real benefit.
There are laws in many countries, including Britain, that prevent the modification of a genome of embryos for human reproduction. Scientists can also conduct research on gene modification with the help of damaged IVF embryos.
China's Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Xu Nanping, said China allowed research on human embryonic stem cells in the laboratory for 14 days.
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