Made in China – The birth of the world's first two genetically modified children

Hong Kong – BEIJING (Reuters) – A Chinese scientist announced on Monday that he had celebrated the birth of two genetically modified children for the first time in his history, which scientists say is immoral and irresponsible.

Hiyan Jiangui, a professor at Shenzhen University in southern China, published a video on YouTube in which two twins were born a few weeks ago, both genetically modified to be HIV-positive and their father infected.

He was educated at Stanford University in the United States and runs a laboratory specializing in genetic sciences in Schengen.

In this process, a technique called "Crisper K9" was used to manipulate the human genome to correct a typographical error on a computer screen.

The two children, named Lulu and Nana, were born from a vaccine derived from a genetically engineered gene vaccine in the laboratory before transplanting it into a woman's womb.

The researcher explained the process by stating, "After injecting the husband's sperm into the egg, added the Crisper K9 protein, which modifies the gene, to protect children from AIDS." He added that the two babies, Lulu and Nana, "came to the world a few weeks ago and scream and are as healthy as all the other babies".

The identity of the two children and their parents was concealed, but "he" simply stated that the father was infected with the virus and wanted his children not to be discriminated against.

This process has not been confirmed by the scientific community and its results have not been published in a scientific journal, as is the case for new experiments and discoveries.

As expected, the Declaration generated many reactions. An American scientist said that he had worked in China, but this type of genetic modification is banned in the United States because DNA changes can be passed on to future generations, which risks dying. damage other genes.

While the scientists opposed it, Dr. Kiran Mosonoro, an expert in genetics at the University of Pennsylvania and editor of the journal Genetics, said: "It's unreasonable … a morally indefensible experience ".

"It's very early," said Dr. Eric Topol, president of the California Research Institute. "We are dealing with instructions for use for humans – it's a big problem."

Peter Dabruk, chairman of the German Ethics Council, called the work "irresponsible experiences on humans" and stressed that it was difficult to predict and control the side effects and subsequent genetic modification.

"The publication of scientific abstracts in a clip on YouTube is problematic," said Nicholas Evans, professor of philosophy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. "This method neglects the verification procedures on which the scientific discoveries are based," he said. "This experience raises ethical concerns," said Sarah Shan, a professor at the University of Edinburgh.

Genetic modification can help prevent genetic diseases by modifying or disrupting fetal pathogen genes. But scientists warn that a genetic modification of a fetus can harm the same person as well as subsequent generations of modified genes. Many countries prohibit the genetic modification of embryos.