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Tuesday, November 27, 2018 – 10:55
More than 100 scientists, mainly in China, have described the modification of human genes as "senseless" and immoral, after a geneticist said he had modified the binocular genes to reach the first genetically modified babies.
In an open Internet letter, scientists said that the use of Crysper-Cass 9 technology to modify human embryo genes was risky and unwarranted and damaged the reputation and development of the community biomedical research in China.
In online videos, genetic scientist He Jianwei defended what he claimed to have done, claiming that he had genetically modified twins born this month to protect them from the HIV virus. ,.
"The review of bioethics of this so-called scientific research is only nominative," said the scientists in their speech, published on the Chinese website "Beeper": "Direct experiences on humans do not can be described as "alienating".
There may still be a glimmer of hope to close it before it's too late, "said some 120 scholars in their speech in Chinese.
Yang Qin Gang, a professor at Fudan University, told Reuters that he had signed the letter because the genetic modification was "very serious"; he did not respond to Reuters' request and had to deal with the modification of the human genome at a summit. At the University of Hong Kong on Wednesday.
The South University of Science and Technology, where he works as an adjunct professor, said that she was not aware of the research project and that she was in. Leave unpaid since February, while the National Health Commission of China said Monday that she was "very concerned". Territories "to conduct an immediate investigation and clarify the issue."
Crisper-C9 technology allows scientists to drastically reduce DNA copies, which gives hope for genetic reform to prevent disease, but there are concerns about the ethics and safety of this technology.
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