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China gene-editing scientist's project rejected for WHO database (original)
A Chinese branch of the World Health Organization has withdrawn an application to register He Jiankui's project in its clinical database. The move comes after China's government halted He's work, saying it would take a "zero tolerance attitude in dealing with dishonorable behavior" in research.
He has faced a global backlash after claiming to have produced the world's first gene-edited babies in a bid to make them HIV-resistant. The project drew international criticism for its lack of transparency, with health officials and other scientists concerned that it raises ethical questions that will taint other work in the field.
The application to enter the database of the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry was rejected because "the original applicants cannot provide the individual participants' data for reviewing," according to the registry's website.
[...] He's whereabouts are still unknown. Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily cited unnamed sources earlier this month that the researcher was put on house arrest by his university, Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, but representatives of the university and He's lab both declined to comment.
takyon: Several news organizations reported on Dec. 3 that He Jiankui was missing.
Previously: Chinese Scientist Claims to Have Created the First Genome-Edited Babies (Twins)
Furor Over Genome-Edited Babies Claim Continues (Updated)
(Score: 2) by ElizabethGreene on Wednesday December 12 2018, @07:11PM
This is an excellent warning to others. When you complete your gene editing experiments or cloning experiments you must publish your results pseudonymously. Doing so under your real name is a danger to your reputation, career, and life.
It is folly to think this isn't being researched quietly in labs around the world. The entire point of gene editing is to be able to get rid of pesky things like diseases, deformities, and death. That is why we poured billions of dollars into the field. "Designer Babies" makes for a lovely clickbait headline, but there is some truth behind it. As a parent I am more than willing to pay for a better than random chance my child will live beyond 100 years, have above-average intelligence, and be free of major illnesses. What parent wouldn't want that for their children?
I recognize there is a risk to permanently changing the human germline. I'll be far more concerned about that risk when there aren't 7 billion backup copies of it. Evolution is a stone cold bitch. If our gene edits are garbage then she will sort it out.