In 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui announced a medical breakthrough that would make headlines and land him in prison a few months later, where he faced the possibility of the death penalty.
In November 2018, the Chinese scientist said that he was able to use the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool to alter the genomes of embryos from seven couples undergoing reproductive treatment.
This pioneering experiment then resulted in the birth of two twin girls whose DNA was modified to prevent them from catching AIDS-causing HIV, which their biological fathers had.
Controversial Gene-Tampering Experiment
Although He's efforts were intended to protect unborn children from contracting an incurable disease, they were met with criticism from the medical and scientific communities.
Ethicists and the scientific community condemned He for testing a harmful technology on humans. They are concerned that the modifications made to the DNA of the newborns could impact future generations.
The Chinese government at the time vehemently opposed He's study, claiming that the experiment violated the academic community's moral and ethical standards and describing the work as disturbing and inappropriate.
Controversial Scientist Plans New Study in Hong Kong
He revealed in Beijing on Tuesday, Feb. 21, ten months after his release, that he has been granted a Hong Kong visa and is in communication with universities, research institutes, and a number of companies.
He intends to conduct research on uncommon hereditary disorders in Hong Kong, Phys.orgs reports.
He stated that if a suitable opportunity arises, he will explore working in Hong Kong and intends to research gene therapy for rare hereditary diseases.
"My scientific research will comply with the ethics codes and international consensus on scientific research," he stated during a press conference.
Is He Jiankui Going Back to Editing Baby Genes?
Tech Times reported in December 2022 that He claimed to have opened a new, independent facility in Beijing and intended to explore both gene editing and gene therapy, a technique designed to treat genetic illnesses by replacing defective genes with healthy copies.
As per WIRED, the scientist aims to help families with rare diseases. Instead of putting heritable mutations into embryos, as he did with the gene-edited newborns, he will focus on individuals who already have these diseases.
The first disease he intends to treat is Duchenne muscular dystrophy or DMD for short. The genetic condition DMD, which affects boys nearly exclusively and is rare and severe, gradually reduces muscle mass.
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His return to the scientific community is not without criticism, particularly in light of his work with gene-edited newborns. His return raises ethical considerations about whether scientists who have engaged in unethical behavior should be welcomed back.
Many in the scientific community condemned He's work as medically unnecessary and unethical. The CRISPR-cas9 technology he used for the controversial 2018 experiment has been tested elsewhere in adults to treat disorders.
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