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The Southern University of Science and Technology in China has launched an investigation following reports that one of its researchers carried out unauthorized gene editing in the cells of twin girls born earlier this month. News of the procedure, which lead scientist on the project, He Jiankui, announced in several videos posted yesterday (November 25) on YouTube, has led to outrage among researchers who see this use of CRISPR as a violation of worldwide ethical standards, but also doubt the claim’s veracity.
“If this is a false report, it is scientific misconduct and deeply irresponsible,” Robert Winston, emeritus professor of fertility studies and professor of science and society at Imperial College London, tells BBC News. “If true, it is still scientific misconduct.”
In the videos, He claims to have used CRISPR-Cas9 not to prevent a heritable disease in the twins, but to try to give them ...
