Premium Content:

Scientist who claimed to have created 'gene edited babies' jailed

A Chinese scientist who claimed to have created ‘gene edited’ babies that were resistant to HIV has been jailed for three years for unethical practices.

- Advertisement -

He Jiankui faced a global backlash in 2018 when he announced the birth of twin girls who he claimed he had successfully ‘gene edited’ to make them immune to HIV.

Now he has been found guilty of “illegally carrying out the human embryo gene-editing intended for reproduction,” according to China’s official state news agency Xinhua.

He has been sentenced to three years in prison and fined $3,000,000 yuan (AUD$607,710). Two of his associates were also charged with the same crime.

Zhang Renli was sentenced to two years and fined one million yuan (AUD$202,570), with colleague Qin Jinzhou handed a suspended 18-month sentence and a 500,000 yuan fine (AUD$101,285).

The court declared the three researchers were not qualified medical doctors and did not have the appropriate permissions to conduct their research.

All three were found to have knowingly violated the country’s regulations and ethical principles to practice gene editing in assisted reproductive medicine.

The court said their acts were “in the pursuit of personal fame and gain” and have seriously “disrupted medical order.”

OIP Staff


 

Latest

UK Reform leader Nigel Farage says gay marriage is “wrong”

Farage says the issue is now settled, but restated he's never been a supporter of same-sex couples being allowed to marry.

Barn Dance is heading to a Gold Rush

Tickets to Perth's big night of boot scooting and bandanas are now on sale.

Now You Know: Five quick news stories

A gay classic turned into a ballet, a country music star, arrests in China, a new leader for Mardi Gras, and coming out in the AFL.

Actor Julian McMahon dies aged 56 after private cancer battle

The actor first found success on 'Home and Away' before hitting the international stage.

Newsletter

Don't miss

UK Reform leader Nigel Farage says gay marriage is “wrong”

Farage says the issue is now settled, but restated he's never been a supporter of same-sex couples being allowed to marry.

Barn Dance is heading to a Gold Rush

Tickets to Perth's big night of boot scooting and bandanas are now on sale.

Now You Know: Five quick news stories

A gay classic turned into a ballet, a country music star, arrests in China, a new leader for Mardi Gras, and coming out in the AFL.

Actor Julian McMahon dies aged 56 after private cancer battle

The actor first found success on 'Home and Away' before hitting the international stage.

On This Gay Day | Thousands turned out to support marriage equality

Despite pouring rain thousands showed their support for changing the laws.

UK Reform leader Nigel Farage says gay marriage is “wrong”

Farage says the issue is now settled, but restated he's never been a supporter of same-sex couples being allowed to marry.

Barn Dance is heading to a Gold Rush

Tickets to Perth's big night of boot scooting and bandanas are now on sale.

Now You Know: Five quick news stories

A gay classic turned into a ballet, a country music star, arrests in China, a new leader for Mardi Gras, and coming out in the AFL.