The Genome Editing Scandal Everyone is Talking About – The He Jiankui affair

What do you think about Dr. He Jiankui’s work – is it ethical or not?

In 2018, Chinese scientist Dr. He Jiankui made headlines when he announced that he had successfully edited the genomes of human embryos. This controversial experiment caused a worldwide scientific and ethical scandal, with many condemning Dr. He’s actions as unethical and irresponsible. Here’s everything you need to know about this scandalous experiment and its implications for the future of human genetics.

Sign up for Prepper Daves Free Newsletter HERE

Dr. He Kept His Experiment Secret 

Dr. He kept his experiment secret from the scientific community, only revealing it after he had already successfully edited the genomes of two human embryos. This secrecy aroused suspicion and criticism from his peers, who warned him that such an experiment could have unforeseen consequences. Ignoring these warnings, Dr. He proceeded with his experiment without any transparency or oversight.

Dr. He Claimed to Have Altered a Gene Called CCR5 

Dr. He claimed that he had altered a gene called CCR5, which allows the AIDS-causing virus to infect an important class of cells in the human immune system making them resistant to HIV. However, this claim was met with widespread condemnation due to its lack of scientific basis and ethical wrongdoing.

Dr. He Was Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

In the aftermath of his controversial genome editing experiment, Dr. He was sentenced to three years in prison and a three-million-yuan fine for his actions. Despite widespread condemnation from the scientific community, Dr. He defended his experiment, claiming that he was motivated by a desire to help cure disease and improve the lives of patients. However, many saw this as a misguided attempt to advance his own career at the expense of human health and well-being. In April 2022, Dr. He was released from prison and has since gone on to continue his work as a geneticist in China. Whether he will attempt another controversial experiment in the future remains to be seen.​

Ethical Concerns 

Many scientists and ethicists were alarmed by Dr. He’s actions, arguing that genome editing in humans is still highly experimental and risky. Additionally, they expressed concern that Dr. He’s experiment would open the door to “designer babies” with certain desirable traits, such as increased intelligence or athletic ability. This could exacerbate existing social inequality and create new barriers to accessing healthcare services.

The Implications for the Future of Human Genetics 

While this scandal has sparked a great deal of controversy and debate, it has also highlighted several important issues that will shape the future of human genetics. It has raised questions about the ethics of genome editing, and whether a uniform set of guidelines should be established to ensure that such experiments are carried out safely and responsibly. Additionally, many scientists have called for greater transparency in the field of genome editing, to better ensure that future research is carried out ethically and effectively. Overall, the He Jiankui affair has highlighted the need for greater oversight and regulation in human genetic research, and the importance of prioritizing ethics and social justice in science.​

Conclusion

The Dr. He Jiankui Genome Editing Scandal has raised serious concerns about the ethics and safety of genome editing and has prompted calls for greater transparency and oversight in this rapidly-changing field. While the future of human genetics remains uncertain, one thing is clear: this scandal has changed our understanding of the risks and implications of human genome editing forever.

Takeaways

• In 2018, Chinese scientist Dr. He Jiankui made headlines when he announced that he had successfully edited the genomes of human embryos, causing a worldwide scientific and ethical scandal.
• Dr. He kept his experiment secret from the scientific community, only revealing it after he had already successfully edited the genomes of two human embryos.
• Dr. He claimed that he had altered a gene called CCR5, which allows the AIDS-causing virus to infect an important class of cells in the human immune system making them resistant to HIV; however, this claim was met with widespread condemnation due to its lack of scientific basis and ethical wrongdoing.
• Many scientists and ethicists were alarmed by Dr. He’s actions, arguing that genome editing in humans is still highly experimental and risky; they also expressed concern that Dr. He’s experiment would open the door to “designer babies” with certain desirable traits such as increased intelligence or athletic ability (which could exacerbate existing social inequality).
• The scandal has sparked a great deal of controversy and debate about ethics in human genetic research – specifically regarding transparency/oversight surrounding genome editing experiments -and has prompted calls for greater regulation in this rapidly-changing field moving forward.
• While the future of human genetics remains uncertain, it is clear that Dr. He’s experiment has forever changed our understanding of the risks
• On 30 December 2019 Shenzhen Nanshan District People’s Court sentenced Dr. He Jiankui to three years’ imprisonment and a three-million-yuan fine; he was released from prison in April 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the He Jiankui affair?

The He Jiankui affair refers to the controversial experiment conducted by Chinese scientist Dr. He in 2018, which involved editing the genomes of human embryos. This experiment caused a worldwide scandal due to its unethical and irresponsible nature, and prompted calls for greater transparency and oversight in the field of human genome editing.

2. Why was there so much criticism of Dr. He’s experiment?

Many scientists and experts criticized Dr. He’s experiment due to its lack of scientific basis and ethical implications. Specifically, many were concerned that Dr. He’s actions could have unforeseen consequences for human genetics, and raised concerns about the lack of transparency and oversight in his experiment.

3. What was the outcome of Dr. He’s trial?

On 30 December 2019, Dr. He was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of three million yuan by the Shenzhen Nanshan District People’s Court. He was released from prison in April 2022.

4. Is there anything we can do to prevent something like the He Jiankui affair from happening again?

There is no clear answer to this question, as the future of human genetics remains highly uncertain. However, many have called for greater transparency and oversight in the field of human genome editing, in order to ensure that such unethical experiments do not occur again. Additionally, it may be helpful for scientists, researchers, and other experts to keep the public better informed about their work and the potential risks of their research.

 

If you would like to discuss this topic further or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Disclaimer

While we attempt to ensure that the information is accurate, we cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy. If you find errors or omissions, please let us know. We do not assume any responsibility for actions taken based on the information provided here. You should consult a professional before making important decisions.