Taking Baby Steps in Genome Editing - What You Need to Know About the CRISPR Babies

When Chinese scientist He Jiankui revealed to have made the world’s first genome-edited babies in November 2018, it was met with shock and outrage by scientists around the world.

A researcher studying genome-editing in Southern University of Science and Technology of China, He Jiankui experimented on human embryos using CRISPR-cas9, a genome editing tool, and tried to give them resistance against HIV by impairing the genetic pathway that allows HIV to spread in the body. He impregnated a woman with the embryos, and in a new YouTube video, claims that the twin girls are healthy and with their parents.

“I feel a strong responsibility that it's not just to make a first, but also make it an example. Society will decide what to do next"

In an interview with the Associated Press, He explained that “I feel a strong responsibility that it's not just to make a first, but also make it an example. Society will decide what to do next". However, his actions are heavily condemned by scientists and the Chinese government. Dr. Kiran Musunuru, a University of Pennsylvania gene editing expert, describes the editing as "unconscionable [...] an experiment on human beings that is not morally or ethically defensible”. An investigation launched by the Chinese government found He Jiankui guilty of “seriously violating” state laws for “personal fame and fortune.” The university where Jiankui conducted research in has fired him from its campus and issued a statement saying that he performed his experiment "outside of the campus and was not reported to the University nor the Department". Jiankui now reportedly faces the death penalty for corruption and bribery, but denies this, stating that he is safe. However, whether or not he will face capital punishment is still up to speculation.

Due to privacy laws, the identity of the parents and their twin girls remain protected, but Jiankkui firmly believes that his actions were justified. The father was tested as HIV-positive and did not want his children to suffer the same way he has. Additionally, the HIV genetic pathway, also known as CCR5, has already been thoroughly studied, providing him the “real-world medical value” to disable it. Although it sounded like a good plan, genetic modification can easily lead to future health problems. A report published by the Associated Press claims that people who do not carry a normal CCR5 gene have a higher risk of catching the West Nile virus and dying of the flu.

Genetically modifying human embryos is an extremely controversial topic, with one side believing that it is crucial to develop research and has the potential to create a perfect and healthy society, while others deem it to be too risky and evil to condemn a human life to mutations, since the results of genome editing is near impossible to predict. He Jiankui is the first confirmed scientist to have genetically edited a baby, but he certainly will not be the last. There are a few countries where genome-editing humans is “technically legal” with loose rules, but is heavily frowned upon. One thing’s for sure -- there needs to be more cautiousness and control in the field of biomedicine to ensure that no ethics are violated.

Jessica Ye

2019 Spring Issue