Remember the controversial Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, who made headlines in 2018 for genetically modifying embryos using CRISPR technology, resulting in the birth of twins who are believed to be the world’s first genetically engineered humans?
The news sparked outrage among the scientific community and regulators, with many condemning He for his “egregious scientific and ethical lapses.” Ultimately, He was imprisoned in China and lost his research position at the Southern University of Science and Technology.
However, according to a recent report by MIT Technology Review, He has now been released from prison and even briefly answered a phone call. When asked about his current situation, he simply replied, “It’s not convenient to talk right now,” before ending the call.
It remains unclear what He’s next steps will be. Described as “idealistic, naïve, and ambitious” by sources, He was apparently taken aback by the backlash to his experiment, as he had hoped to receive a Nobel Prize for his work.
Prior to his imprisonment, He had discussed the possibility of commercializing the technology by opening a designer baby clinic in either China or Switzerland, although these plans did not progress far.
The debate around manipulating human DNA continues to raise significant scientific and ethical questions, especially considering the complexity of genetic code in organisms. Despite the uncertainties, the fact remains that He’s experiment has opened the door to a new era of genetic engineering that cannot be ignored.
As we await further developments, the story of He Jiankui serves as a reminder of the ongoing ethical and scientific dilemmas surrounding the manipulation of human DNA.
