He Jiankui affair: Difference between revisions
redirect to He Jiankui; we don't have enough information about these two girls to have a page on them; the content here is actually about the experiment done by He and the reactions to He's work, not about the girls. This is a bold merger; it is contested we can have a formal discussion Tag: New redirect |
reverted the edit at 16:32, 30 November 2018. changed back to independent article. separated incident from the person |
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{{About|two girls|information about their origin and the reactions to it|He Jiankui}} |
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#REDIRECT [[He Jiankui]] |
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{{current|date=November 2018}} |
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{{use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} |
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{{Infobox person |
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| name = Lulu and Nana (pseudonyms) |
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| image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing [[brackets]] --> |
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| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> |
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| caption = |
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| birth_name = |
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| birth_date = ca. November 2018 |
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| birth_place = China |
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| death_date = |
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| death_place = |
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| nationality = Chinese |
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| other_names = |
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| occupation = |
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| parents = Grace and Mark (pseudonyms) |
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| years_active = |
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| notable_works = |
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}} |
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'''Lulu''' ({{zh|c=露露}}) and '''Nana''' ({{zh|c=娜娜}}) are pseudonyms for twin Chinese girls born in November 2018, who, according to the researcher, [[He Jiankui]], are the world's first [[germline]] [[Genome editing|genetically edited]] babies.<ref name="SN-20181126">{{cite news |last=Begley |first=Sharon |title=Claim of CRISPR’d baby girls stuns genome editing summit |url=https://www.statnews.com/2018/11/26/claim-of-crispred-baby-girls-stuns-genome-editing-summit/ |date=26 November 2018 |work=[[Stat News]] |accessdate=26 November 2018|dead-url=no|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127014126/https://www.statnews.com/2018/11/26/claim-of-crispred-baby-girls-stuns-genome-editing-summit/|archive-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> He said the girls were born healthy,<ref name=Statuproar>{{cite news |last1=Begley |first1=Sharon |title=Amid uproar, Chinese scientist defends creating gene-edited babies - STAT |url=https://www.statnews.com/2018/11/28/chinese-scientist-defends-creating-gene-edited-babies/ |work=STAT |date=28 November 2018}}</ref> The girls' parents were participants in a clinical trial run by He, in which He offered standard [[in vitro fertilization]] services and in addition, used [[CRISPR-Cas9]], a technology that can modify [[DNA]], to modify the [[CCR5|''CCR5'' gene]] in the embryos that were generated, to attempt to confer [[Innate resistance to HIV|genetic resistance]] to the [[HIV virus]].<ref name="NYT-20181126" /> The clinical trial was conducted secretly until November 2018. |
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The reaction to He's actions was widespread criticism and included concern for the well-being of the girls.<ref name="NYT-20181126">{{cite news |author=[[Reuters]] |title=China Orders Investigation After Scientist Claims First Gene-Edited Babies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/11/26/world/asia/26reuters-health-china-babies-genes.html |date=26 November 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=26 November 2018 |dead-url=no |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181127002913/https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/11/26/world/asia/26reuters-health-china-babies-genes.html |archive-date=27 November 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="MIT-20181125"/><ref name="NAT-20181127">{{cite journal |last=Cyranoski |first=David |title=How the genome-edited babies revelation will affect research - Some scientists worry the startling claim will lead to knee-jerk regulations and damage the public's trust in gene editing. |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07559-8 |date=27 November 2018 |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |accessdate=27 November 2018 |dead-url=no |archive-url=https://perma-archives.org/warc/20181127221102/https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07559-8 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Near the end of November, Chinese authorities suspended all He's research activities.<ref name="CNN-20181129"/> |
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==Origins== |
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The embryos that became Lulu and Nana were generated during a clinical trial run by [[He Jiankui]] of the [[Southern University of Science and Technology]] in [[Shenzhen]], while he was on leave from the university and working through Shenzhen Harmonicare Women’s and Children’s Hospital.<ref name=AP/> The trial had recruited couples who wanted to have children; in order to participate, the man had to be [[HIV]]-positive and the woman, uninfected.<ref name=AP/> The couples were recruited through a Beijing-based AIDS advocacy group called Baihualin.<ref name=AP/> He kept the clinical trial secret from the scientific community, and, as of 28 November, it was unclear whether the participants had given truly [[informed consent]].<ref name=Statuproar/><ref name="NYT-20181128" /> |
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He, the researcher, took sperm and eggs from the couples, performed [[in vitro fertilization]] with them, and then [[genome editing|edited the genomes]] of the embryos using [[CRISPR/Cas9]].<ref name=AP/> The editing targeted a gene, ''[[CCR5]]'', that codes for a protein that HIV uses to enter cells.<ref name="NYT-20181128"/><ref name="pmid15556703">{{cite journal | vauthors = de Silva E, Stumpf MP | title = HIV and the CCR5-Delta32 resistance allele | journal = FEMS Microbiology Letters | volume = 241 | issue = 1 | pages = 1–12 | date = Dec 2004 | pmid = 15556703 | doi = 10.1016/j.femsle.2004.09.040 }}</ref> He was trying to create a specific mutation in the gene, ([[CCR5-Δ32|CCR5 Δ32]]), that few people naturally have — that possibly confers [[innate resistance to HIV]],<ref name="NYT-20181128"/> as seen in the case of [[the Berlin Patient]].<ref>{{cite news |title=«Menschenversuche»: Geburt genmanipulierter Babys verkündet |url=https://www.stern.de/panorama/crispr-cas9-verfahren--menschenversuche---geburt-genmanipulierter-babys-verkuendet-8464784.html |work=Stern |date=26 November 2018 |language=de-DE}}</ref> He said that the girls still carried functional copies of CCR5 along with disabled CCR5 given [[mosaicism]] inherent in the present state of the art in germ-line editing.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Begley |first1=Sharon |title=Amid uproar, Chinese scientist defends creating gene-edited babies - STAT |url=https://www.statnews.com/2018/11/28/chinese-scientist-defends-creating-gene-edited-babies/ |work=STAT |date=28 November 2018}}</ref> There are forms of HIV that use a different receptor instead of CCR5, and the work that He did could not protect Lulu and Nana from those forms of HIV.<ref name="NYT-20181128">{{cite news |last=Belluck |first=Pam |title=Chinese Scientist Who Says He Edited Babies’ Genes Defends His Work |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/28/world/asia/gene-editing-babies-he-jiankui.html |date=28 November 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=29 November 2018 }}</ref> |
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He used a [[preimplantation genetic diagnosis]] process on the embryos that were edited, where three to five single cells were removed and [[Whole genome sequencing|fully sequenced]], to identify chimerism and off-target errors. He says that during the pregnancy, [[cell-free fetal DNA]] was fully sequenced to check for off-target errors, and the mother was offered [[amniocentesis]] to check for problems with the pregnancy, but she declined.<ref name="NYT-20181128" /> The children were born in late October or early November; He said that they appeared to be healthy.<ref name=Statuproar/> When they were born, it was unclear if there might be long-term effects from the gene-editing; He was asked about his plans to monitor the children, and pay for their care should any problems arise, and how their confidentiality and that of their parents could remain protected.<ref name=Statuproar/> |
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On November 25, 2018 ''[[MIT Technology Review]]'' published a story about the work, based on documents that had been posted earlier that month on the Chinese [[clinical trials registry]].<ref name="MIT-20181125">{{cite news |last=Regalado |first=Antonio |title=Exclusive: Chinese scientists are creating CRISPR babies - A daring effort is under way to create the first children whose DNA has been tailored using gene editing. |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612458/exclusive-chinese-scientists-are-creating-crispr-babies/ |date=25 November 2018 |work=[[MIT Technology Review]] |accessdate=26 November 2018 |dead-url=no |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181127003026/https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612458/exclusive-chinese-scientists-are-creating-crispr-babies/ |archive-date=27 November 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> After that story was posted, He released a promotional video on YouTube and the next day, the ''Associated Press'' published an interview with He.<ref name="MIT-20181125"/><ref name=AP>{{cite news |last1=Marchione |first1=Marilyn |title=Chinese researcher claims first gene-edited babies |url=https://www.apnews.com/4997bb7aa36c45449b488e19ac83e86d |work=AP NEWS |date=26 November 2018}}</ref> He had engaged a public relations firm as well.<ref name=Statjkbio>{{cite news |last1=Joseph |first1=Andrew |last2=Robbins |first2=Rebecca |last3=Begley |first3=Sharon |title=An outsider claimed genome-editing history; the world snapped to attention |url=https://www.statnews.com/2018/11/26/he-jiankui-gene-edited-babies-china/ |work=STAT |date=27 November 2018}}</ref> He eventually presented the work that led to the birth of the girls on November 27 at the International Human Genome Editing Summit.<ref name=Statuproar/> |
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==Reactions== |
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He did not disclose the parents' names and they did not make themselves available to be interviewed, so their reaction is not known.<ref name=AP/> There was widespread criticism in the media and scientific community over the conduct of the clinical trial and its secrecy, and concerns raised for the long term wellbeing of Lulu and Nana.<ref name=Statuproar/><ref name="NAT-20181127"/> As of November 2018, the genetic editing of the girls' DNA had not been [[peer review]]ed or published in a [[scientific journal]].<ref name="SN-20181126"/><ref name="CNN-20181129" /> |
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In the United States, [[Michael W. Deem]], a bioengineering professor at [[Rice University]], and He's doctoral advisor, was involved in the research, and was present when people involved in He's study gave consent.<ref name=AP/> Deem came under investigation by Rice after news of the work was made public.<ref name="CNN-20181127">{{cite news |last=LaMotte |first=Sandee |title=Rice professor under investigation for role in 'world's first gene-edited babies' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/27/health/gene-edited-babies-rice-investigates-professor/index.html |date=27 November 2018 |work=[[CNN News]] |accessdate=27 November 2018 |dead-url=no |archive-url=https://perma.cc/74PP-TRUE |archive-date=27 November 2018 }}</ref> A series of investigations were opened by He's university, local authorities, and the Chinese goverment; on 29 November 2018, Chinese authorities suspended all of He's research activities, saying his work was "extremely abominable in nature" and a violation of Chinese law.<ref name="CNN-20181129">{{cite news |last1=Jiang |first1=Steven |last2=Regan |first2=Helen |last3=Berlinger |first3=Joshua |title=China suspends scientists who claim to have produced first gene-edited babies |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/29/health/china-gene-editing-he-jiankui-intl/index.html |date=29 November 2018 |work=[[CNN News]] |accessdate=29 November 2018 }}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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* [[CRISPR/Cas Tools]] |
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* [[Genetics]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|colwidth=30em}} |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.sustc-genome.org.cn/index.html Official WebSite/Jiankui He] |
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*[https://www.facebook.com/BloombergAsia/videos/2295873210645851 He's presentation and subsequent panel discussion], at the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing. 27 November 2018, via Bloomberg Asia's Facebook page |
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{{Genetics}} |
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{{Chromosome genetics}} |
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{{Molecular and cellular biology}} |
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{{portal bar|Biology|Biotechnology|China|Ethics|Law|Medicine|Molecular and cellular biology|Science}} |
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[[Category:Genome editing]] |
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[[Category:Identical twins]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Science and technology in China]] |
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[[Category:2018 in biology]] |
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[[Category:2018 births]] |
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[[Category:2018 in China]] |
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Revision as of 01:13, 6 December 2018
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (November 2018) |
Lulu and Nana (pseudonyms) | |
|---|---|
| Born | ca. November 2018 China |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Parent(s) | Grace and Mark (pseudonyms) |
Lulu (Chinese: 露露) and Nana (Chinese: 娜娜) are pseudonyms for twin Chinese girls born in November 2018, who, according to the researcher, He Jiankui, are the world's first germline genetically edited babies.[1] He said the girls were born healthy,[2] The girls' parents were participants in a clinical trial run by He, in which He offered standard in vitro fertilization services and in addition, used CRISPR-Cas9, a technology that can modify DNA, to modify the CCR5 gene in the embryos that were generated, to attempt to confer genetic resistance to the HIV virus.[3] The clinical trial was conducted secretly until November 2018.
The reaction to He's actions was widespread criticism and included concern for the well-being of the girls.[3][4][5] Near the end of November, Chinese authorities suspended all He's research activities.[6]
Origins
The embryos that became Lulu and Nana were generated during a clinical trial run by He Jiankui of the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, while he was on leave from the university and working through Shenzhen Harmonicare Women’s and Children’s Hospital.[7] The trial had recruited couples who wanted to have children; in order to participate, the man had to be HIV-positive and the woman, uninfected.[7] The couples were recruited through a Beijing-based AIDS advocacy group called Baihualin.[7] He kept the clinical trial secret from the scientific community, and, as of 28 November, it was unclear whether the participants had given truly informed consent.[2][8]
He, the researcher, took sperm and eggs from the couples, performed in vitro fertilization with them, and then edited the genomes of the embryos using CRISPR/Cas9.[7] The editing targeted a gene, CCR5, that codes for a protein that HIV uses to enter cells.[8][9] He was trying to create a specific mutation in the gene, (CCR5 Δ32), that few people naturally have — that possibly confers innate resistance to HIV,[8] as seen in the case of the Berlin Patient.[10] He said that the girls still carried functional copies of CCR5 along with disabled CCR5 given mosaicism inherent in the present state of the art in germ-line editing.[11] There are forms of HIV that use a different receptor instead of CCR5, and the work that He did could not protect Lulu and Nana from those forms of HIV.[8]
He used a preimplantation genetic diagnosis process on the embryos that were edited, where three to five single cells were removed and fully sequenced, to identify chimerism and off-target errors. He says that during the pregnancy, cell-free fetal DNA was fully sequenced to check for off-target errors, and the mother was offered amniocentesis to check for problems with the pregnancy, but she declined.[8] The children were born in late October or early November; He said that they appeared to be healthy.[2] When they were born, it was unclear if there might be long-term effects from the gene-editing; He was asked about his plans to monitor the children, and pay for their care should any problems arise, and how their confidentiality and that of their parents could remain protected.[2]
On November 25, 2018 MIT Technology Review published a story about the work, based on documents that had been posted earlier that month on the Chinese clinical trials registry.[4] After that story was posted, He released a promotional video on YouTube and the next day, the Associated Press published an interview with He.[4][7] He had engaged a public relations firm as well.[12] He eventually presented the work that led to the birth of the girls on November 27 at the International Human Genome Editing Summit.[2]
Reactions
He did not disclose the parents' names and they did not make themselves available to be interviewed, so their reaction is not known.[7] There was widespread criticism in the media and scientific community over the conduct of the clinical trial and its secrecy, and concerns raised for the long term wellbeing of Lulu and Nana.[2][5] As of November 2018, the genetic editing of the girls' DNA had not been peer reviewed or published in a scientific journal.[1][6]
In the United States, Michael W. Deem, a bioengineering professor at Rice University, and He's doctoral advisor, was involved in the research, and was present when people involved in He's study gave consent.[7] Deem came under investigation by Rice after news of the work was made public.[13] A series of investigations were opened by He's university, local authorities, and the Chinese goverment; on 29 November 2018, Chinese authorities suspended all of He's research activities, saying his work was "extremely abominable in nature" and a violation of Chinese law.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b Begley, Sharon (26 November 2018). "Claim of CRISPR'd baby girls stuns genome editing summit". Stat News. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f Begley, Sharon (28 November 2018). "Amid uproar, Chinese scientist defends creating gene-edited babies - STAT". STAT.
- ^ a b Reuters (26 November 2018). "China Orders Investigation After Scientist Claims First Gene-Edited Babies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
{{cite news}}:|author=has generic name (help); Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Regalado, Antonio (25 November 2018). "Exclusive: Chinese scientists are creating CRISPR babies - A daring effort is under way to create the first children whose DNA has been tailored using gene editing". MIT Technology Review. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Cyranoski, David (27 November 2018). "How the genome-edited babies revelation will affect research - Some scientists worry the startling claim will lead to knee-jerk regulations and damage the public's trust in gene editing". Nature. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Jiang, Steven; Regan, Helen; Berlinger, Joshua (29 November 2018). "China suspends scientists who claim to have produced first gene-edited babies". CNN News. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Marchione, Marilyn (26 November 2018). "Chinese researcher claims first gene-edited babies". AP NEWS.
- ^ a b c d e Belluck, Pam (28 November 2018). "Chinese Scientist Who Says He Edited Babies' Genes Defends His Work". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ de Silva E, Stumpf MP (December 2004). "HIV and the CCR5-Delta32 resistance allele". FEMS Microbiology Letters. 241 (1): 1–12. doi:10.1016/j.femsle.2004.09.040. PMID 15556703.
- ^ "«Menschenversuche»: Geburt genmanipulierter Babys verkündet". Stern (in German). 26 November 2018.
- ^ Begley, Sharon (28 November 2018). "Amid uproar, Chinese scientist defends creating gene-edited babies - STAT". STAT.
- ^ Joseph, Andrew; Robbins, Rebecca; Begley, Sharon (27 November 2018). "An outsider claimed genome-editing history; the world snapped to attention". STAT.
- ^ LaMotte, Sandee (27 November 2018). "Rice professor under investigation for role in 'world's first gene-edited babies'". CNN News. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
External links
- Official WebSite/Jiankui He
- He's presentation and subsequent panel discussion, at the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing. 27 November 2018, via Bloomberg Asia's Facebook page
