Jiankui revealed that his investigation began in mid-2017 and eight couples participated, all potentially infected with AIDS.
Health authorities and medical ethics in China began on Monday an investigation into statements from Jiankui, Chinese scientist who in a series of five videos published last Sunday on YouTube, claimed to have modified the DNA of twins born this month November, getting the first genetic modification of babies in history, reports Reuters.
According to this agency, the University of Science and Technology of the South, in Shenzhen (Canton, China), an institution where Jiankui is an associate professor, said they had no information about that research project and that the teacher in question enjoys a permit unpaid since February of this year until 2021. Also, the educational center described the Jiankui experiment as a “serious violation of the ethics and academic standards, while other scientists at international level showed their rejection in this regard and cataloged the actions carried out by the Chinese researcher as “monstrous”, “irresponsible, unethical and dangerous.”
On their part, the National Health Commission of China revealed its concern about the case and said that it has already ordered the officials of the respective province to “investigate and clarify the matter immediately.” Other organizations, such as the Medical Ethics Committee of Shenzhen and the Guangdong Provincial Health Commission, have also opened investigations. An important scientific step?
The Chinese scientist claims to have altered the embryos of several couples during some fertility treatments. With this he tried to implant the capacity to resist a future infection with AIDS, something that few individuals have naturally.
The parents of the twins preferred not to be identified or interviewed; neither is it known where they live or where the experiment took place. Chinese law authorizes genetic editing procedures, but prohibits cloning.
If the information about the experiment is true, it would be an important scientific step that has profound ethical implications. DNA modification can happen to future generations and there is a risk that other genes will be damaged. Many traditional scientists consider this activity dangerous, and some even denounce that it is about experimentation on human beings.
Jiankui told Reuters that his investigation began in mid-2017 and eight couples, all potentially infected with AIDS, participated. He also announced that he will share new information about this project during a scientific forum that will take place this week and that he will later publish a study on this issue. He also stressed that his goal is to give genetically modified babies “lifelong protection” against AIDS.
