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Chinese scientist who allegedly created the first genetically engineered babies is being detained
The Chinese scientist who shocked the world with claims of creating the first genetically engineered babies is being detained in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, according to a report in The New York Times.
[...] The Southern University of Science and Technology, based in Shenzhen, has denied the reporting around Dr. He's whereabouts and fate, telling the Times, "Right now nobody's information is accurate, only the official channels are." Meanwhile, the official channels are staying silent.
Reporters found security personnel blocking access to the residence where Dr. He is reportedly staying and others denying access to the former offices Dr. He used to conduct his research. The scientist's name and biography remains on a board listing staff in the university’s biology department.
Previously: Chinese Scientist Claims to Have Created the First Genome-Edited Babies (Twins)
Furor Over Genome-Edited Babies Claim Continues (Updated)
Chinese Gene-Editing Scientist's Project Rejected for WHO Database (Plus: He Jiankui is Missing)
(Score: 2) by takyon on Monday December 31 2018, @06:25PM (2 children)
This point is often missed.
I am still supportive of Jiankui because IDGAF, but it's clear that the state-of-the-art in 5 years will look very different and a lot more reliable than whatever method he used.
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 31 2018, @07:02PM (1 child)
The big picture consequentialist reason I'm against it is because this kind of recklessness promotes more distrust in scientists and reinforces the "mad scientist" stereotype. These perspectives already negatively shape the public's opinions on scientific topics and causes uninformed reactionary policies (ban on embryonic stem cell funding, moratorium on gain-of-function research, HPV vaccination, etc.). I don't want the "playing god", "it's eugenics", "no designer babies", etc. crowds to have any more ammo to oppose the progress of treatments that could actually eliminate congenital diseases.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Monday December 31 2018, @10:48PM
When the relevant technologies become orders of magnitude cheaper, as they have started to, it is inevitable that the "mad scientist" will rise up.
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