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December 4, 2018 04:11 am PST

He Jiankui, scientist who gene-edited 'Crispr babies', detained in China

He Jiankui, the scientist who claimed to have produced the worlds first gene-edited babies using CRISPR technology, is missing. Reports indicate he has been detained by Chinese authorities.

The scientist gave a presentation in Hong Kong last week on the human gene editing experiment, which Chinese authorities condemned. After that, he disappeared.

A spokeswoman for the Shenzhen university where He Jiankui was a former employee told the SCMP, Right now nobodys information is accurate, only the official channels are.

We cannot answer any questions regarding the matter right now, but if we have any information, we will update it through our official channels.

Various news outlets in China report that He Jiankui has been detained and brought back to Shenzhen, by the universitys president.

Kristin Houser at Futurism.com:

He will probably turn up eventually, at which point hell likely need to submit to an investigation from Chinas Ministry of Science and Technology.

The results of that investigation could shape the future of human gene editing if China punishes He severely for his actions, it could deter other scientists from pursuing the ask forgiveness, not permission route with their own research. Leniency could have the opposite effect.

[via @Jon_Christian] Read the rest


Original Link: http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/AobqQ4mIkF0/china-baby-edit-scientist.html

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