Chinese scientist announces world's first gene-edited babies born

[Daniel808]

Every new evolutionary step will create people who hate progress or are honestly fearful of bad consequences. They are, in fact, are fearful of the unknown.

But, nonetheless, science is often is moving on against all odds and defying accepted conventional thinking.

China will definitely not be swayed by dust-risers with no credible argument. For constructive argument, it has been going in China for a while now. In any event, it won't turn into witch hunt.

***

Have gene-edited babies been born in China? Ethics debate goes on as lead scientist refuses to comment

By Gong Zhe
2018-11-26


People's Daily on Monday published a web report claiming that a Chinese scientist helped give birth to the world's first babies whose genes have been genetically edited to be resistant to the deadly HIV/AIDS viruses.

But the story was soon deleted. As of now, we at CGTN have no knowledge of whether the report is true or not.

The scientist, He Jiankui, works at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTC) and described his project in a video published online by his team.

He claimed that the two babies, Lulu and Nana, were born "a few weeks ago" and are living with their parents, who are identified as Grace and Mark in the video, with no Chinese names provided.

He said his team performed surgery on the two babies when they were only single cells. The surgery "removed the doorway through which HIV enters to infect people," making the babies immune to AIDS, he claimed.

But CGTN have not yet been able to find proof that the babies are actually immune.

He claimed his team used the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tool to carry out the surgery.

The news came one day before an international conference on gene editing that is scheduled to last from Tuesday to Thursday in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

All-round denials

The story has shocked both the world of academia and the Internet in China, fueling a range of debates, including the credibility of the research and the ethical concerns behind it.

In an exclusive report on MIT Technology Review, some "medical documents" show how He got the permit to carry out the surgery from a hospital in south China's Shenzhen City.

But The Beijing News reports that the hospital has denied any involvement in the surgery.

The SUSTC also published an announcement on Monday evening, saying the university does not know about He's surgery and stands against it.

SUSTC's announcement on He's surgery. /Screenshot from SUSTC

"He Jiankui used gene-editing technology on human embryos. Our biology department thinks this is a serious breach of scientific ethics," the announcement said.

The local government also launched an investigation into the surgery, as He seemingly failed to obtain legal permission to carry it out.

China's National Health Commission published regulations on biological research on humans, which requires hospitals to set up and register an ethical committee to carry out such research.

The commission ordered its branch in Guangdong Province to carefully investigate the incident.

"The ethical committee that gave He the permit is not registered," said the local health commission in Shenzhen.

The health commission of Guangdong Province said a team of investigators will be dispatched to Shenzhen on Monday night.

Other researchers in China also raised concerns. Dozens of them signed an announcement attacking He's conduct. "It can only be described as madness," the announcement said.

"The gene-editing technology is nothing new to scientists. The reason why we don't carry it out on humans is that the technology may fail and be ethically wrong," the researchers added.

Science Daily, a Chinese-language newspaper covering sci-tech news, raised four questions about the gene-edited babies:

1. Will the editing definitely prevent the babies from catching HIV? Will this alteration cause other illnesses or potential problems?

2. How can we prove that the babies are immune to AIDS? We cannot try to infect them since it's obviously unethical. If they don't catch HIV for their entire lives, how can we make sure they are immune?

3. Is it ethical to edit the genes of test tube babies? Is there any government approval? Is the hospital authorized to do it?

4. Have there been any previous experiments editing human genes in China?

He Jiankui refused to take part in the ongoing debate.

"He will not take interviews for now. A reply will be made in a few days. No more information can be given at the time," financial media Yicai quoted He's media representative as saying.

CGTN Digital called He's work telephone multiple times, but no one answered.

He's view?

A YouTube channel called "The He Lab" uploaded five videos showing He and a team member explaining why they chose AIDS as their first target.

"The gene we chose, CCR5, is one of the best studied genes. In fact about 100 million people naturally have a genetic variation that disables CCR5, protecting them against HIV," he said in the video. "They are healthy."

CCR5, according to He, is what his team cut off from the gene of the two babies.

He also explains why they think they did the right thing.

"A child is not something to design," he said in the video. "And that is not what parents want to do."

In the videos, He mentioned multiple times that the main goal of his research is to eliminate genetic diseases.

"We believe ethics are on our side of history," he said in the video.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d3d514f7759444f30457a6333566d54/share_p.html

I am with Mr. He Jiankui, he is a 'Galileo galilei' in our time.
And I'm totally support your amazing effort to forward our civilization, Mr. He.

This Huge Achievement, not only for China, but also for all humanity.
Which parents don't want their babies Immune from HIV/AIDS, Leukemia, Cancer, and many others deadly genetic disease???

I want my babies immune from that deadly genetic disease.

Go, Mr. He !

 

[Jlaw]

China don't have to announce these to the world.

But Chinese scientists nowadays have bigger mouths than Indians. Even a lical redneck radio station pucked up this news
They said China is going to punish the scientist who did this. If true than **** the commies. Folding under small international pressure is weakness.

I am with Mr. He Jiankui, he is a 'Galileo galilei' in our time.
And I'm totally support your amazing effort to forward our civilization, Mr. He.

This Huge Achievement, not only for China, but also for all humanity.
Which parents don't want their babies Immune from HIV/AIDS, Leukemia, Cancer, and many others deadly genetic disease???

I want my babies immune from that deadly genetic disease.

Go, Mr. He !

Those anti science fucks hypocrite will change their mind if them or their kids contracted those disease. Again **** them.

 

[TaiShang]

Opinion: Why the outcry over gene-editing baby claims?

Zhang Hongbing
2018-11-28 12:25 GMT+8

Editor's note: Zhang Hongbing is a professor of Physiology at Peking Union Medical College and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.


On Monday, a Chinese scientist announced in a YouTube video that he had helped make the world's first genetically-edited babies.

The researcher, He Jiankui, said he had altered a gene in embryos, before having them implanted in the womb of a woman undergoing fertility treatment, with the goal of making the babies resistant to infection with HIV.

He said the pregnancy had been successful and that apparently healthy twin girls Lulu and Nana were born "a few weeks ago."

Though the claim has not yet been verified, the report itself is appalling.

Chinese law prohibits genetic editing of human embryos for medical practice. This experiment lacks transparency and supervision and violated Chinese law and regulation, as well as academic ethics and norms.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) uses CCR5 as co-receptors to enter target cells. CCR5 deficient cells are therefore resistant to HIV infection. This alleged research on embryos is premature, dangerous and irresponsible. It is questionable whether this procedure was necessary or even safe.

The experiment is not medically justified as well. The risks of editing embryos to disable CCR5 seem to outweigh the benefits of resistance to HIV infection. Knocking out CCR5 will likely render a person much more susceptible to the West Nile Virus and other diseases.

He Jiankui works in a laboratory in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, October 10, 2018. /AP‍ Photo

Furthermore, gene editing is experimental and still associated with off-target mutations. These unknown alterations may cause or make the body vulnerable to diseases sooner or later. Defective CCR5 and potential unintended off-target altered genomes of the twin babies will likely be passed on to future generations.

What makes it worse is that the premature use of gene editing may jeopardize the relationship between science and society, and thus might potentially set the global development of the valuable therapeutics back by years.

Many Chinese researchers expressed concern that this event might damage the reputation of Chinese biomedical research and that it is "extremely unfair" to Chinese scientists who are diligent, innovative and defending the bottom line of scientific ethics.

Indeed, genetic editing of embryos has enormous potential for medical needs. Since this technology can correct genetic defects, it will expand the horizon of in vitro fertilization for couples with genetic diseases.

But genetically modified children should be made only under strict conditions of safety and oversight. Before this procedure comes into clinical practice, we should ensure that manipulation of the genome of human embryos would not cause harm to the future person.

We should set stringent requirements and conduct risk-benefit analysis for the use of genetic editing of human embryos and confine the use of germline gene editing to settings where a clear and serious unmet medical need exists, and where no other medical approach is a viable option.

Current applications in gene editing technology should be restricted to medical intervention but not prevention, i.e., fix the genetic defects but not create defects. The government should set legislation for guidance and punishment for violators.

The two babies should be monitored well. They should avoid exposure to risk factors associated with CCR5 defects and potential off-targeted genes. Genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis and family planning should be provided to them in the future.

***

But Chinese scientists nowadays have bigger mouths than Indians. Even a lical redneck radio station pucked up this news
They said China is going to punish the scientist who did this. If true than **** the commies. Folding under small international pressure is weakness.


Those anti science fucks hypocrite will change their mind if them or their kids contracted those disease. Again **** them.

What they really care is domestic, not foreign, outcry, in most cases. People have strong opinion on this issue. But, I believe, overtime, people will get used to the idea and even support it.

 

[Adam WANG SHANGHAI MEGA]

Need more research and the will is good,but need gov permissions,better to use it to undo illness beyond human power,instead of creating smarter baby,coz the later may erace the entire human race as new human!

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

The only downside with gene editing is the reduced fertility.

Other than that it can cure virtually any diseases before you even born.

However I don't support tinkering with genes any further than that

 

[DADY]

If China doesn't create gene edited babies, then certainly someone else will, like south Korea

 

[Jlaw]

Yup. Qing dynasty China refused to accept science and look what happened to them.

People against breakthrough science are western researchers who are envious of Chinese achievements and religious folks. This religious folks should not enjoy any modern lifestyle technology and move them to caves.

 

[prashantazazel]

Should be fine if well regulated and thoroughly studied for impact.

 

[DADY]

Well regulated by who? The western led "international community". Regulation is just another word for interference. I doubt that it's going to be the Sudanese regulating how Europe edits their genes, so let's not do that, and let's not kid ourselves. The west is quietly making gene edited babies with no regulation, and the standards that apply to the west should be applied to everyone else. For all we know, the west has already cloned a human being, but due to their lack of transparency, most of us wont know. God knows they certainly wont be telling us if they do. What DOES need to be regulated are the pharmaceuticals. It's funny how we're sitting here talking about regulating gene editing, yet no one is regulating the things that are CURRENTLY causing us harm. The milk industry, particularly cow milk, is known to cause all kinds of health problems. There are even people out there openly telling people that drinking milk is good for you.

 

[kuge]

Yup. Qing dynasty China refused to accept science and look what happened to them.
People against breakthrough science are western researchers who are envious of Chinese achievements and religious folks. This religious folks should not enjoy any modern lifestyle technology and move them to caves.

shouldnt the self improvement in genes be left to theory of evolution?

 

[TaiShang]

Gene-editing baby controversy: Chinese researcher explains details of medical trial

CGTN Published: 2018-11-28


Geneticist He Jiankui, who says he has altered the genes of twin girls born this month, has spoken out about the details of his controversial medical procedure at the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing at the University of Hong Kong on Wednesday.

He started his speech by apologizing for the "leak" of his work before the conference, and said the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, where he works, was unaware of the trial he conducted.

Geneticist He Jiankui, who claims to have created the world's first genetically-edited babies, speaks during the Human Genome Editing Conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday, November 28, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

In gene editing, any off-target effects would pose very serious consequences, and extend through the whole body, the researcher admitted, adding that his team carried out embryo off-target detection assessment prior to the trial taking into consideration potential off-target sites mentioned in previous studies.

"We identified one potential off-target in the intragenic region, although we could not identify if it is hereditary or related to editing," noted He.

The volunteering couple was briefed about the potential off-target site and chose to start a two-embryo pregnancy.

He said the husband is HIV positive, while the spouse is HIV negative. The twin baby girls, born a few weeks ago, are said to be resistant to HIV infection thanks to their edited genes.

No off-target site was observed genome-wide after birth testing, the researcher assured.

"We plan to monitor the twin babies for the next 18 years until they are adult and give their consent for further monitoring," said He.

The researcher also said another potential pregnancy with gene-edited embryos is currently underway.

Questions from anxious audience

He Jiankui (L) receives questions from the hosts and audience at the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing at the University of Hong Kong on Tuesday, November 28, 2018. [Photo: VCG]


"If we have the technology, we can make it available earlier," He said. "That will help much more people."

Deemed his research as "transparent, open" and "shared what knowledge I accumulate to the world and society," He said. "it's the society that decides what to do in the future, " He said when asked about his responsibilities towards the future.

Talking about the dilemma of protecting the privacy of the patients and addressing the public's concern towards the babies, He said it's against the Chinese law to disclose the identity of HIV positive people to the public, but for this specific couple who are under careful monitoring of health, "I think I will propose that the data or information should be open (to experts)."

He also described the process of convincing the parents, a question that draws much attention.

As these volunteers all have a good education background, they know lots information about HIV, the drug, alternative approach, even the latest researches published, said the researcher. When the volunteers came to the informed consent, they already understood "quite well" about the genetic technology, the side-effect or potential benefit.

"I think it's a mutual exchange of information that let the volunteer make the decision."

The informed consent is already on the website and can be found by searching his name, according to He.

For achieving it, he said that he had a conversation that "lasted one hour and 10 minutes."

"It happened in a conference room with couples and two observers besides himself. The printed copies were given to the couple before the informed consent."

"They are well educated," said He, adding that he explained from page one to page 20 line by line to the volunteers and they have the right to ask any questions, and made decision on-site or later.

Two rounds were carried out for the informed consent, separately by his team member, an informal talk lasting two hours and a formal one by himself.

When asked about the source of the funding, he stated that the pre-research was supported by the University where he worked as a professor, and when the experiment moved to clinical trial, He covered all the expenses.

It is said He has several companies, but he claimed that neither of his companies was involved in this study.

The families who participated in the experiment are not required to give medical expense, nor receiving much extra money from it.

He also denied that he performed the research in secret. "I have been involved in the scientific community," and consulted institutes and experts to get feedback from them. "When I moved on to clinical trials, I also consulted with several experts in the United States about ethics and also science."

The discussion ended with the final question that whether he would try it if it's his own baby.

"If I have the same situation, I would try it first."

http://chinaplus.cri.cn/news/china/9/20181128/215728.html

 

[Jlaw]

Gene-editing baby controversy: Chinese researcher explains details of medical trial

CGTN Published: 2018-11-28


Geneticist He Jiankui, who says he has altered the genes of twin girls born this month, has spoken out about the details of his controversial medical procedure at the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing at the University of Hong Kong on Wednesday.

He started his speech by apologizing for the "leak" of his work before the conference, and said the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, where he works, was unaware of the trial he conducted.

Geneticist He Jiankui, who claims to have created the world's first genetically-edited babies, speaks during the Human Genome Editing Conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday, November 28, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

In gene editing, any off-target effects would pose very serious consequences, and extend through the whole body, the researcher admitted, adding that his team carried out embryo off-target detection assessment prior to the trial taking into consideration potential off-target sites mentioned in previous studies.

"We identified one potential off-target in the intragenic region, although we could not identify if it is hereditary or related to editing," noted He.

The volunteering couple was briefed about the potential off-target site and chose to start a two-embryo pregnancy.

He said the husband is HIV positive, while the spouse is HIV negative. The twin baby girls, born a few weeks ago, are said to be resistant to HIV infection thanks to their edited genes.

No off-target site was observed genome-wide after birth testing, the researcher assured.

"We plan to monitor the twin babies for the next 18 years until they are adult and give their consent for further monitoring," said He.

The researcher also said another potential pregnancy with gene-edited embryos is currently underway.

Questions from anxious audience

He Jiankui (L) receives questions from the hosts and audience at the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing at the University of Hong Kong on Tuesday, November 28, 2018. [Photo: VCG]


"If we have the technology, we can make it available earlier," He said. "That will help much more people."

Deemed his research as "transparent, open" and "shared what knowledge I accumulate to the world and society," He said. "it's the society that decides what to do in the future, " He said when asked about his responsibilities towards the future.

Talking about the dilemma of protecting the privacy of the patients and addressing the public's concern towards the babies, He said it's against the Chinese law to disclose the identity of HIV positive people to the public, but for this specific couple who are under careful monitoring of health, "I think I will propose that the data or information should be open (to experts)."

He also described the process of convincing the parents, a question that draws much attention.

As these volunteers all have a good education background, they know lots information about HIV, the drug, alternative approach, even the latest researches published, said the researcher. When the volunteers came to the informed consent, they already understood "quite well" about the genetic technology, the side-effect or potential benefit.

"I think it's a mutual exchange of information that let the volunteer make the decision."

The informed consent is already on the website and can be found by searching his name, according to He.

For achieving it, he said that he had a conversation that "lasted one hour and 10 minutes."

"It happened in a conference room with couples and two observers besides himself. The printed copies were given to the couple before the informed consent."

"They are well educated," said He, adding that he explained from page one to page 20 line by line to the volunteers and they have the right to ask any questions, and made decision on-site or later.

Two rounds were carried out for the informed consent, separately by his team member, an informal talk lasting two hours and a formal one by himself.

When asked about the source of the funding, he stated that the pre-research was supported by the University where he worked as a professor, and when the experiment moved to clinical trial, He covered all the expenses.

It is said He has several companies, but he claimed that neither of his companies was involved in this study.

The families who participated in the experiment are not required to give medical expense, nor receiving much extra money from it.

He also denied that he performed the research in secret. "I have been involved in the scientific community," and consulted institutes and experts to get feedback from them. "When I moved on to clinical trials, I also consulted with several experts in the United States about ethics and also science."

The discussion ended with the final question that whether he would try it if it's his own baby.

"If I have the same situation, I would try it first."

http://chinaplus.cri.cn/news/china/9/20181128/215728.html

So the babies are born immune to HIV since the father is HIV positive. This should be a good thing. What the **** is wrong with so called educated Chinese audience. They sound like a bunch if western liberals.

Let the man continue his research. If this was performed by a western scientist he could be the man of the year in Times magazine

 

[Nein]

Yup. Qing dynasty China refused to accept science and look what happened to them.

People against breakthrough science are western researchers who are envious of Chinese achievements and religious folks. This religious folks should not enjoy any modern lifestyle technology and move them to caves.

Thats what pisses me off about religious folks its their ultra conservatism that leads to backwardness of so many nations.

When an advanced country knocks on the door with a full blown invasion then they stratch their heads on how did that happen.

 

[Jlaw]

shouldnt the self improvement in genes be left to theory of evolution?

With humans ingesting so many synthetic materials through air or food evolution need a big boost.

 

[gambit]

So the babies are born immune to HIV since the father is HIV positive. This should be a good thing. What the **** is wrong with so called educated Chinese audience. They sound like a bunch if western liberals.

Let the man continue his research. If this was performed by a western scientist he could be the man of the year in Times magazine

It would help if you do BASIC research before you post. In the US, Congress banned the use of federal funds into human genome editing at the embryonic level.

But now...

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/...crispr-babies-has-been-suspended-without-pay/

On Sunday, the Shenzhen City Medical Ethics Expert Board said it would begin an investigation of He’s research...

His own university suspended him without pay. Then Rice University is investigating bioengineering professor Michael Deem for suspicion of helping He. So you are flat out wrong.

There is no telling until at least 20 yrs from now if He's work is successful. The twin girls are supposed to have their immune system 'improved' to resist HIV. Sounds noble enough. But how is He going to prove it? By infecting one twin with HIV to see if the gene edit worked? Perfect 'lab rats' example here. Two human beings claimed to have improved resistant to HIV, but in order to make the experiment successful, one human 'lab rat' must be infected with the HIV virus to see if the claimed worked.

Are YOU willing to look one of the girls in the eyes and infect her with the HIV virus?

How old are the girls until YOU infect one of them?

How will YOU determine which girl to infect? By the dice? By drawing straws? By flip of a coin?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-46368731

Many scientists have condemned his announcement. Such gene-editing work is banned in most countries, including China.

You did not know that human genome modification is banned in China. But of course, you live in Canada, ignorant of the country you support via keyboard thousands of miles away.

Prof He also said that the study had been submitted to a scientific journal for review, though he did not name the journal.

Why not named the journal? What is He afraid of? That he did not really do what he claimed? Or that if the details are known, it would be monstrous even by China's standards? Name that peer review journal.

Prof He's experiment is prohibited under Chinese laws, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Xu Nanping told state media.

Is Minister Xu lying?

BASIC RESEARCH...Try it. You might surprise yourself.