The scientific world was left reeling when Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui announced in 2018 that he had created the world's first gene-edited babies. Now, after serving a three-year prison sentence, the full story of this unprecedented ethical breach is coming to light.
The Experiment That Shocked the World
Using the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, He modified embryos during IVF treatment, resulting in the birth of twin girls - Lulu and Nana - with altered DNA intended to make them resistant to HIV. A third gene-edited child was reportedly born later.
The scientific community universally condemned the experiment, citing:
- Unproven safety of germline editing
- Lack of proper ethical oversight
- Potential unknown consequences for future generations
- Violation of international scientific consensus
Fallout and Consequences
In December 2019, a Chinese court sentenced He to three years in prison and fined him 3 million yuan (£330,000) for illegal medical practice. His colleagues received lesser sentences.
"This wasn't science - this was a grotesque violation of medical ethics," said Dr. Sarah Chan, a bioethicist at the University of Edinburgh. "He bypassed every safeguard designed to prevent exactly this kind of reckless experimentation."
The Ethical Minefield of CRISPR
The case has sparked global debate about:
- Where to draw the line in genetic modification
- International regulation of biotech research
- The potential for "designer babies" in fertility clinics
- National differences in scientific oversight
While China has since tightened regulations on gene-editing research, experts warn the technology remains dangerously accessible to rogue scientists worldwide.
