The Latest on a scientist’s claim to have made the world’s first gene-edited babies (all times local):
HONG KONG — The Latest on a scientist’s claim to have made the world’s first gene-edited babies (all times local):
4:30 p.m.
A Chinese researcher who claims to have helped make the world’s first genetically edited babies says a second pregnancy may be underway.
The researcher, He Jiankui (HEH JEE-ahn-qway) of Shenzhen, revealed the possible pregnancy Wednesday while making his first public comments about his controversial work at an international conference in Hong Kong.
He claims to have altered the DNA of twin girls born earlier this month to try to make them resistant to infection with the AIDS virus. Mainstream scientists have condemned the experiment, and universities and government groups are investigating.
The second potential pregnancy is in a very early stage and needs more time to be monitored to see if it will last, He said.
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1:25 p.m.
A leader of an international conference on gene editing says the work of a scientist who claims to have helped make the world’s first gene-edited babies showed a failure of self-regulation among scientists.
