Rogue Chinese Scientist Edits the Genes of Twin Girls

Like something out of a science fiction novel complete with mad scientists, the world’s first designer children now live among us. A prominent scientist in China conducted the experiments in secret, revealing his breakthrough only after the first children, genetically altered twin girls, were born. Officials are condemning the work, citing multiple ethical violations, but the question still remains... What does this mean for the future of medicine --- and mankind? Is it medical advancement or the start of a terrifying new chapter in gene editing? Or maybe both?

The scientist, whose name is He Jiankui, illegally altered the genes of embryos to be resistant to HIV, but studies show the altered gene may also increase intelligence. He Jiankui secretly conducted the experiment under the noses of the Chinese government and the university where he worked in Shenzhen. Genetically-altered twin girls were born in November; one more baby is still due. 

Illegal Breakthrough

The Chinese researcher took the scientific world by storm in November when he announced the birth of the world’s first genetically modified babies. The twin girls, Lulu and Nana, have been altered to resist contracting HIV. He used the gene-editing tool, CRISPR–Cas9 (technology he helped develop) to alter the CCR5 gene, which creates susceptibility to most forms of the disease.

He Jiankui, who recently lost his job as an associate professor at Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, conducted the experiments in secret. He recruited 8 couples, all of which were composed of healthy females and HIV-positive male partners, and successfully implanted two of the women with modified embryos. One woman gave birth to the twins, and another is still expecting.

According to a Chinese newspaper, “Xinhuanet,” He manipulated blood tests and used other pieces of falsified information to keep authorities off his back. The Chinese government, along with much of the rest of the world, has condemned He’s actions, but it’s hard to say what kind of reprimand he’ll face. The laws in China are vague when it comes to genetic experimentation, so he could possibly get away with a slap on the wrist or he could be charged with more serious offenses.

A Real-Life Mad Scientist?

Researchers have gotten in line to criticize He’s ethics. The most common concern is how the altered genes will affect the children aside from their potential HIV immunity. Studies have shown alterations to genes benefitting people in one way often open the door to other potentially serious health issues. For example, a mutation that makes some people of African descent immune to malaria also causes sickle-cell disease, which can have deadly consequences of its own.

Some studies point to a darker ulterior motive. Blocking the CCR5 gene could also increase intelligence. Many authorities have called bunk on He’s rationale for the experiments --- giving HIV-positive men a chance at fatherhood --- pointing out that the children were never in any danger of being born HIV-positive. He used in-vitro fertilization, bypassing any possibility of disease transmission, as HIV doesn’t infect sperm. He could have implanted unaltered embryos, since the mothers are all HIV-negative, and the children would have been born just as healthy.

Other researchers point out that not all HIV strains use CCR5 receptors as their entry point to infection. Some strains use a different protein, CXCR4, which remained unaltered in He’s experiments. If immunity to HIV had been the sole motivator, why didn’t He edit the gene responsible there as well?

We won’t likely understand the full impact of He’s experiments for years to come, when the genetically modified children begin to develop and mature. Has science opened the door to a future that is potentially free of HIV, or has a mad scientist opened a can of worms that could spark the next big race to engineer the perfect human? The repercussions could truly be something out of a science fiction novel. Share your thoughts in the Comments below.

~ Here's to Your Health and Wellness