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China jails 'gene-edited babies' scientist for three years China jails 'gene-edited babies' scientist for three years
(32 minutes later)
A scientist in China who said he had created the world's first gene-edited babies has been jailed for three years.A scientist in China who said he had created the world's first gene-edited babies has been jailed for three years.
He Jiankui was convicted of violating a government ban by carrying out his own experiments on human embryos, to try to give them protection against HIV.He Jiankui was convicted of violating a government ban by carrying out his own experiments on human embryos, to try to give them protection against HIV.
He was globally condemned when he announced his experiments, and the birth of twin babies, last November.He was globally condemned when he announced his experiments, and the birth of twin babies, last November.
Xinhua news agency said a third baby was also born at the same time, which had not previously been confirmed.Xinhua news agency said a third baby was also born at the same time, which had not previously been confirmed.
As well as the prison sentence, He was fined three million yuan ($430,000; £328,000).As well as the prison sentence, He was fined three million yuan ($430,000; £328,000).
The court also handed lower sentences to two men, Zhang Renli and Qin Jinzhou, for conspiring with He to carry out the experiments.The court also handed lower sentences to two men, Zhang Renli and Qin Jinzhou, for conspiring with He to carry out the experiments.
A court in Shenzhen said the men had acted "in the pursuit of personal fame and gain", and had seriously "disrupted medical order", Xinhua news agency reported.A court in Shenzhen said the men had acted "in the pursuit of personal fame and gain", and had seriously "disrupted medical order", Xinhua news agency reported.
"They've crossed the bottom line of ethics in scientific research and medical ethics," the court added."They've crossed the bottom line of ethics in scientific research and medical ethics," the court added.
What happened last year?What happened last year?
He announced the birth of gene-edited twins called Lula and Nana in a video, filmed by Associated Press, in November 2018.He announced the birth of gene-edited twins called Lula and Nana in a video, filmed by Associated Press, in November 2018.
Describing his experiments, He said: "I understand my work will be controversial - but I believe families need this technology and I'm willing to take the criticism for them."Describing his experiments, He said: "I understand my work will be controversial - but I believe families need this technology and I'm willing to take the criticism for them."
After the video was released, the backlash from the science community both in China and around the world was swift and forceful.After the video was released, the backlash from the science community both in China and around the world was swift and forceful.
The Chinese government placed He under police investigation and ordered his research work be stopped.The Chinese government placed He under police investigation and ordered his research work be stopped.
He was also fired by the university where he was an associate professor, the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen.He was also fired by the university where he was an associate professor, the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen.
The Chinese Academy of Science released a statement about He, saying it "firmly opposed" gene editing on humans.
"Under current circumstances, gene editing in human embryos still involves various unresolved technical issues, might lead to unforeseen risks, and violates the consensus of the international scientific community," the statement added.
Research later showed that He may have given the babies a mutation that significantly shortens their life expectancy.Research later showed that He may have given the babies a mutation that significantly shortens their life expectancy.
How did the experiment work?How did the experiment work?
He was targeting a gene called CCR5.He was targeting a gene called CCR5.
This is a set of genetic instructions that are important for a functioning immune system - but they are also the doorway that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) walks through to infect cells.This is a set of genetic instructions that are important for a functioning immune system - but they are also the doorway that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) walks through to infect cells.
Mutations to CCR5 essentially lock the door and give people resistance to HIV.Mutations to CCR5 essentially lock the door and give people resistance to HIV.
He made embryos in an IVF clinic, and then used gene-editing technology known as CRISPR-Cas9 to change the CCR5 gene.He made embryos in an IVF clinic, and then used gene-editing technology known as CRISPR-Cas9 to change the CCR5 gene.
The full consequences of gene-editing babies are unclear, but the effects are permanent.The full consequences of gene-editing babies are unclear, but the effects are permanent.
Any genetic modifications are then passed down through the generations, introducing a lasting change to the human race.Any genetic modifications are then passed down through the generations, introducing a lasting change to the human race.