More than a hundred scientists in China consider that the genetic publishing of babies is crazy

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – More than 100 scientists, mostly in China, have described the alteration of human genes as "madness" and unethical, after a geneticist claimed to have changed the genes of twins.

In an open letter circulating on the internet, scientists have stated that the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to alter human embryo genes was dangerous, unjustified and harmed the reputation and development of the biomedical community in China.

In online videos, scientist He Jiankui defended what he claimed to have accomplished, claiming that he had done embryonic gene editing to protect babies born this month from the disease. HIV infection, the virus that causes the virus. AIDS

"The biomedical ethical analysis of this so-called research exists only by name. Direct human experiences can only be described as crazy," said the scientists in a letter, a copy of which was published by the Chinese information website Paper.

"The Pandora's Box has been opened, we could still have a glimmer of hope to close it before it's too late," said about 120 scientists in the text, written in Chinese.

Yang Zhengang, a professor at Fudan University, told Reuters that he had signed the letter because the editing of the gene was "very dangerous."

He, 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 University of Science and Technology of the South, where he has an associate chair, said that he had not been aware of the research project and that he was the incumbent. a license.

The National Health Commission of China declared "very concerned" Monday and ordered the provincial health authorities to "investigate and clarify the case immediately".