Gene Edited Babies

Gene Edited Babies

by Deleted user -
Number of replies: 5

I believe that Jankui went through with the experiment even though he probably knew it was unethical because he wanted to be the one to create HIV immunity. With CRISPR-cas not being a new technology, Chinese scientists said, "it involves serious off-target risks and associated ethical considerations, and so should not be used to produce gene-altered babies” (Li). His actions were described as a huge blow to the global reputation and development of Chinese science (Li). In order to have gene altered babies, Jankui worked with several couples where the girl was HIV negative and the guy was HIV positive. They washed the participants sperm off getting rid of the HIV and injected the sperm into the egg. They then used the CRISPR-cas 9 to disable a gene called CCR5 in the embryos trying to close the protein doorway where HIV enters. By closing the protein, the embryo will be immune to the virus (Li). In my opinion, I think it is wonderful that these twins are immune. My only concern is the risk of the experiment. Anything could have gone wrong. I also don’t like the idea of any operation on embryos altering their genes for reproduction. I think it was great that it was successful one time and that those twins will not get HIV but I don’t think it should be a common operation to do. 

This experiment is different from other ethical violations because he wasn’t technically breaking any rules. Even when he came out with the results, it was at first "promoted as a dramatic scientific advancement” (Li). He never forced anyone to participate and his intentions were clear from the beginning. This is different from the ART treatment interruption trials in Africa because although the patients signed up, they didn’t know that their treatment could have been lethal (Fernandez). They were being withheld of STI treatments periodically even though the participants were under the impression they were getting a full treatment. It could also be viewed as the same because of the results. There could be lethal results for both experiments. I think this might affect the public's opinion on having stricter guidelines and rules for research in order to have an ethical and safe experiment.


Fernandez, R., & Gijsbertsen, R. (2016, June 30). Examples of unethical trials. Retrieved from https://www.somo.nl/examples-of-unethical-trials/ 

Li, J.-R., Walker, S., Nie, J.-B., & Zhang, X.-Q. (2019). Experiments that led to the first gene-edited babies: the ethical failings and the urgent need for better governance. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6331330/  

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Gene Edited Babies

by Deleted user -
Hi Elizabeth!

I think this is a very sticky and complicated situation that Jankui is in. While he technically didn't break any rules with participant participation, these babies born into this experiment are a product of it and the unknown side effects that could come from this experiment could ruin their lives. Even if this is unlikely, the chance of it happening makes this unethical. I definitely agree with you that this experiment can set back further experiments. I think that along with other guidelines for the future that it can have a chance of being a long time before another scientist attempts to mess around with gene editing.

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Gene Edited Babies

by Deleted user -
Hey Elizabeth!
I definitely agree that Jankui saw this experiment because he wanted to be the one to develop something as notorious as an HIV immunity. But like you said, although he didn’t break any rules the experiment is very risky and until an ethical method that can be carried out is developed, this should not be a common operation. Bouncing off what Max said, do you think that although Jankui’s experiment is seen as unethical by many in the science community, someone will pursue/continue the work Jankui has done? I do think it would be a groundbreaking advancement but not if the costs outweigh the benefits.

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Gene Edited Babies

by Deleted user -
Hey Elizabeth! I think although this experiment was different because the case studies were embryos, he still did break some rules in that he did not have enough evidence to support his testing on real-life humans. It is also important to note that these babies will live with these consequences and they did not consent to be tested on. This is similar to past unethical experiments because usually the people being tested on are vulnerable in that they are poor or uneducated or from a 3rd world country and are kind of being tricked to being experimented on which would be justified as being unethical.

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Gene Edited Babies

by Deleted user -
Hey Elizabeth,
I agree that he went through with this experiment because he wanted to be recognized for creating HIV immunity. I think that he was in a way careless because he didn't consider all the risk, or maybe he did and he chose to continue with his experiment because he wanted fame. I also don't think he should have continued the experiment without consent and in this case there was no necessary reason to continue with this experiment except to prove that it could be done. I didn't think about how this could affect all researchers in making them follow stricter guidelines when and rules when creating experiments.

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Gene Edited Babies

by Deleted user -
Hey Elizabeth,
I agree with your point that Jiankui most likely went through with the experiment just to say that it could be done. I wrote about it in my forum post as well! I also considered the idea that he might not have had ethical training, but with that many red flags in his experiment, it’s hard to believe. I think the science and technology he used to make these twins immune to HIV is very interesting, but I don’t believe it was medically necessary, and therefore, the risks far outweighed the benefits. I’m quite surprised Jiankui didn’t realize this, especially when the subjects of the experiment are human.

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