It has been just over two months since a set of twins were born with genetically modified cells. But, the scientist who completed this research as well as revealed the news, Jiankui He, has been fired. And he has also been criminally charged. I have already written about this CRISPR news story once before - in a previous blog post. So, if you don't understand what is happening in this story or need a refresher on the CRISPR case - Click Here.
The Chinese legalities based around gene editing for pregnancy which is otherwise known as germline editing are not entirely straightforward. Though, scientists are clear that the experiment which has happened would have broken all kinds of ethical boundaries. And this opinion comes even before any testing has happened. So, it does sound like Jiankui's future seems to be wrecked.
According to the website Wired UK (Source), He has been fired from the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). The University issued a statement; 'Effective immediately, SUSTech will rescind the work contract with Dr Jiankui He and terminate any of his teaching and research activities at SUSTech'. Not only has the scientist been fired. But, China announced that the scientist had acted in an illegal manner and apparently, serious punishment is being put into place.
Now, the scientist has been placed under house arrest.
Ethically, Jiankui He did something wrong. There are reports coming from the authorities stating that this scientist has conducted numerous unlawful activities such as forged ethical review material and avoided supervision.
Now the event seems to be stirring up again. There has been a second pregnancy with CRISPR modified cells confirmed. The pregnant woman is being monitored by professionals.
Though to smooth over any worries, the US and Europe have rules on human gene-editing. Certain bans are in place which will take years of very diligent research to move. Human gene-editing is such a difficult area for ethics. No one knows what the long term impact will be for a human. Though what is clear is that these babies will have to be monitored very strictly to ensure that there will be no bad consequences.
The Chinese legalities based around gene editing for pregnancy which is otherwise known as germline editing are not entirely straightforward. Though, scientists are clear that the experiment which has happened would have broken all kinds of ethical boundaries. And this opinion comes even before any testing has happened. So, it does sound like Jiankui's future seems to be wrecked.
According to the website Wired UK (Source), He has been fired from the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). The University issued a statement; 'Effective immediately, SUSTech will rescind the work contract with Dr Jiankui He and terminate any of his teaching and research activities at SUSTech'. Not only has the scientist been fired. But, China announced that the scientist had acted in an illegal manner and apparently, serious punishment is being put into place.
Now, the scientist has been placed under house arrest.
Ethically, Jiankui He did something wrong. There are reports coming from the authorities stating that this scientist has conducted numerous unlawful activities such as forged ethical review material and avoided supervision.
Now the event seems to be stirring up again. There has been a second pregnancy with CRISPR modified cells confirmed. The pregnant woman is being monitored by professionals.
But, I guess the question which comes to the mind is - what happens next?
This research has sent an awful amount of turmoil throughout the CRISPR community. I just hope that it doesn't affect scientists who are researching CRISPR developments for conditions like Cystic Fibrosis. This event has also brought forward questions about the furthering of this science topic. Questions like, how it should be controlled? Or if it can have control measures. Though to smooth over any worries, the US and Europe have rules on human gene-editing. Certain bans are in place which will take years of very diligent research to move. Human gene-editing is such a difficult area for ethics. No one knows what the long term impact will be for a human. Though what is clear is that these babies will have to be monitored very strictly to ensure that there will be no bad consequences.
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