The Chinese authorities have revealed the first results of their investigation. They confirm that twins were born with altered DNA and indicate that a second pregnancy is in progress.
Last November, He Jiankui provoked the anger of thousands of scientists around the world: this Chinese researcher had just announced that he had modified the DNA of two twin girls to make them resistant to the AIDS virus. The Chinese authorities published, Monday, January 21, the first conclusions of their investigation: they confirm the existence of these two little girls and affirm that a second pregnancy is in progress.
A preliminary investigation into babies declared “genetically modified” shows that the Chinese researcher He Jiankui defied government bans, and conducted his research in pursuit of notoriety and personal profit.https://t.co/gZHsfhCgIm pic.twitter.com/kOVHRHqj9l
— New China (@XHChinaNew) January 21, 2019
He Jiankui, the scientist author of these genetic manipulations, had declared the existence of these two twins, the first genetically modified babies, during the World Summit of the editing of the human genome in Hong Kong. In China and around the world, scientists have reacted strongly to this announcement, sometimes declared “shocking”, sometimes “monstrous”.
A seeker in search of fame and fortune
At the time, none of these reactions had really reached the researcher: he confirmed his pride in having achieved these results. The ongoing police investigation will make it possible to verify the facts, which for the time being have not been confirmed by any organization, and published only by the researcher himself. According to the first conclusions, He Jiankui carried out these experiments in order to satisfy his “search for personal fame and fortune”.
The police reveal that he financed his own research thanks to companies related to biotechnology and genome sequencing that he had created before. As early as June 2016, he allegedly recruited foreign personnel to form a research team and used “technologies of questionable safety and effectiveness”.
The genetic scissors technique
Between March 2017 and November 2018, eight couples volunteered to take part in the experiment. The two twins were conceived by in vitro fertilization: before implanting it, the researcher modified the embryo using the “genetic scissors” technique, called CRISPR-Cas9. It consists of removing and replacing certain parts of the genome, deemed undesirable. In the case of the two twins, the CCR5 gene was deactivated to prevent HIV from infecting the cells. The scientific community does not hesitate to affirm that the researcher has crossed a “red line”: the modification of the human genome remains mysterious and potentially dangerous since it can be transmitted between generations and modify the entire genetic heritage.
The pregnant woman and the two twins will be placed under medical supervision. As for He Jiankui, he now lives in seclusion, surrounded by a dozen guards.
