A Guangdong Province investigation team looking into a gene-editing experiment has concluded that a Chinese researcher based in Shenzhen bypassed supervision by conducting embryo editing activities for reproductive purposes in pursuit of personal fame and fortune. 

Illustrations: VCG

Starting in June 2016, He Jiankui, associate professor of the Southern University of Science and Technology, initiated a project team involving foreign personnel. He deliberately evaded safety rules and supervision. He used ineffective techniques and implementing human embryonic genes for reproductive purposes, which is prohibited in China, the investigation team said on Monday, according to Xinhua News Agency. 

From March 2017 to November 2018, He recruited eight couples of volunteers (HIV-positive males and female negatives) to participate in an experiment by forging ethical review paperwork. 

In order to circumvent the relevant regulations that HIV carriers are not allowed to undergo assisted reproduction, others took blood tests instead of volunteers. Individual researchers were instructed to edit genes on human embryos and implant them into their mothers in violation of the regulations.

Twin baby girls named "Lulu" and "Nana" were given birth to by one volunteer. Another volunteer is currently pregnant. One pair of the remaining 6 pairs of volunteers has withdrawn from the experiment. The other 5 pairs of volunteers did not achieve pregnancy, the investigation team said. 

This misconduct violates ethical rules and scientific research integrity, and violates relevant state regulations, causing adverse effects at home and abroad.

The case will be processed according to the law, and the suspected crimes will be transferred to the public security authorities. The Guangdong provincial government will work with relevant departments for medical observation and pay follow-up visits to the babies and pregnant volunteer of He’s experiment, under the guidance of relevant departments.

He claimed on November 26, 2018, to have altered the DNA of the twin girls to prevent them from contracting HIV. Upon hearing the news, Guangdong Province launched the investigation.

(Compiled by Dong Feng)