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SHANGHAI: More than 100 scientists, most of them in China, have been dubbed "crazy" and tampering with human genes after a geneticist claimed to have changed the binoculars genes to create the first genetically-born babies changed.
In an open letter circulating online, scientists said that the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to alter human embryo genes was risky, unjustified and harmed the reputation and development of the biomedical community in China.
In videos posted online, scientist He Jiankui defended what he claimed to have accomplished, claiming that he had proceeded to issue the embryonic gene to protect babies born this month from HIV infection, the virus that causes AIDS.
"The biomedical evaluation of this so-called research only exists in name. The conduct of direct human experiences can only be described as crazy," said the scientists in a letter, which the newspaper published a copy.
"The Pandora's Box has been opened, we may still have a glimmer of hope to close it before it's too late," said the 120 or so scientists in a letter in Chinese.
Yang Zhengang, a professor at Fudan University, told Reuters that he had signed the letter because gene editing was "very dangerous."
The latter, who is scheduled to speak at a summit on human genome editing at the University of Hong Kong on Wednesday, has not responded to a request for comments from Reuters.
The South University of Science and Technology, where he holds an associate professor position, said that she was not aware of the research project and that it was in leave without pay since February.
The National Health Commission of China said Monday that she was "very concerned" and ordered provincial health officials "to immediately investigate the case and clarify the situation".
The government's medical ethics committee in Shenzhen, southern China, said it was investigating the case, as was the health commission of Guangdong Province, according to the Southern Metropolis Daily, a state media.
CRISPR-Cas9 is a technology that allows scientists to cut and paste DNA essentially, which gives hope for genetic solutions to the disease. However, his security and ethics are also of concern.
The organizing committee of the Hong Kong conference where it is due to speak – the second edition of the Smmit on the Human Genome Edition – said Monday in a statement that it had just been informed about his work on the genes of the binoculars.
"Our goal is to help ensure that research on the editing of the human genome is conducted responsibly," the committee said.
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