He Jiankui, the Chinese scientist who faced international condemnation in 2018 for creating the first gene-edited children, has presented a new research proposal involving modifying human embryos to address the challenges of the ageing population. He, who was sentenced to three years in prison in 2019 for "illegal medical practices," resurfaced last year and announced the opening of a research lab in Beijing. Recently, he posted a research proposal on social media outlining plans to gene-edit mouse embryos and human-fertilised egg cells to investigate if a mutation can protect against Alzheimer's disease.

<h2>Juankui's new proposal&nbsp;</h2>

Notably, the proposed experiment would involve abnormal fertilised egg cells not suitable for implantation.&nbsp;

In a one-page document, the scientist&nbsp;proposed&nbsp;research involving gene-editing of mouse embryos and human fertilised egg cells or zygotes. He plans to test whether a mutation "confers protection against Alzheimer’s disease."&nbsp;

This reportedly will help with the nation's ageing population.

"The ageing population is of grave importance as both a socioeconomic issue and a strain on the medical system … Currently, there is no effective drug for Alzheimer’s disease," wrote the scientist in his proposal.

However, unlike previous experiments that landed him in jail, He stated that "government permits and ethical approval" would be required before any experimentation, emphasising that no human embryo would be implanted for pregnancy.

<h2>Government approvals</h2>

While it remains uncertain if He would obtain approval for such research in China, experts argue that the current proposal lacks scientific validity.&nbsp;

After He's previous research was exposed, Chinese authorities tightened regulations and ethical standards governing human gene editing. They banned He from engaging in assisted reproductive technology services and placed limitations on his work with human genetic resources.

Scientists and medical ethics experts have expressed concern and confusion about He's new proposal involving gene editing of embryos. Some consider the proposal to be more of a publicity stunt than a substantiated research agenda. Critics question the ethical implications of genetically modifying embryos to address a complex disease like Alzheimer's, which lacks a clear, single genetic cause. Experts argue that the proposal raises ethical, scientific, and safety concerns.

<h2>Experts criticise "violations" of ethics</h2>

The proposal attracted criticism from experts who drew parallels to He's earlier work, which was widely criticised for its ethical and safety concerns, as it had the potential to alter human DNA across generations.&nbsp;

In March of this year, over 200 Chinese scholars released a statement condemning He's "attitude and refusal to reflect on his criminal actions of violating ethics and regulations of gene editing."

As per CNN, they also called for regulatory authorities to launch a new investigation into the scientist's "alleged re‐violation of scientific integrity, ethical norms, laws and regulations."

"The ethical boundaries shall not be crossed," they remarked. 
&nbsp;

He Jiankui, the Chinese scientist who faced international condemnation in 2018 for creating the first gene-edited children, has presented a new research proposal involving modifying human embryos to address the challenges of the ageing population.

He Jiankui, the Chinese scientist who faced international condemnation in 2018 for creating the first gene-edited children, has presented a new research proposal involving modifying human embryos to address the challenges of the ageing population. He, who was sentenced to three years in prison in 2019 for "illegal medical practices," resurfaced last year and announced the opening of a research lab in Beijing. Recently, he posted a research proposal on social media outlining plans to gene-edit mouse embryos and human-fertilised egg cells to investigate if a mutation can protect against Alzheimer's disease. Juankui's new proposal Notably, the proposed experiment would involve abnormal fertilised egg cells not suitable for implantation. In a one-page document, the scientist proposed research involving gene-editing of mouse embryos and human fertilised egg cells or zygotes. He plans to test whether a mutation "confers protection against Alzheimer’s disease." This reportedly will help with the nation's ageing population. "The ageing population is of grave importance as both a socioeconomic issue and a strain on the medical system … Currently, there is no effective drug for Alzheimer’s disease," wrote the scientist in his proposal. However, unlike previous experiments that landed him in jail, He stated that "government permits and ethical approval" would be required before any experimentation, emphasising that no human embryo would be implanted for pregnancy. Government approvals While it remains uncertain if He would obtain approval for such research in China, experts argue that the current proposal lacks scientific validity. After He's previous research was exposed, Chinese authorities tightened regulations and ethical standards governing human gene editing. They banned He from engaging in assisted reproductive technology services and placed limitations on his work with human genetic resources. Scientists and medical ethics experts have expressed concern and confusion about He's new proposal involving gene editing of embryos. Some consider the proposal to be more of a publicity stunt than a substantiated research agenda. Critics question the ethical implications of genetically modifying embryos to address a complex disease like Alzheimer's, which lacks a clear, single genetic cause. Experts argue that the proposal raises ethical, scientific, and safety concerns. Experts criticise "violations" of ethics The proposal attracted criticism from experts who drew parallels to He's earlier work, which was widely criticised for its ethical and safety concerns, as it had the potential to alter human DNA across generations. In March of this year, over 200 Chinese scholars released a statement condemning He's "attitude and refusal to reflect on his criminal actions of violating ethics and regulations of gene editing." As per CNN, they also called for regulatory authorities to launch a new investigation into the scientist's "alleged re‐violation of scientific integrity, ethical norms, laws and regulations." "The ethical boundaries shall not be crossed," they remarked.

Chinese scientist He Jiankui proposes controversial gene-editing research on embryos

Corporations and scientists in the pockets of big pharma are always on the lookout for a perfect opportunity to peddle their creations to an unsuspecting public. Both Brexit and the pandemic have given these capitalist opportunists a perfect situation to push for the loosening of legislation controlling the quality and safety of our food, both locally grown and imported from abroad. Westminster is hell-bent on removing environmental and health safeguards that environmentalists fought for in this country for decades.

So, what is happening now at Westminster?

The Tory government in London has introduced a Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill which would set different rules from the EU following Brexit and has asked all devolved nations, including Scotland, to allow gene-edited crops to be grown. The Scottish government's environment secretary, MSP Mairi McAllan, dismissed the idea, saying that Scotland will set its own food standards under devolution and will not accept any constraints placed on its food policies.

What is gene-editing?

Gene editing basically allows scientists to change a plant or animal's DNA. Many experts would consider it one step before GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms), which are currently banned in Europe and the UK as a whole. Since Brexit, the UK government has been hell bent on eroding all our food and environmental safety laws that we as a country have fought so hard to achieve over the past many decades. I have previously in my columns highlighted the need for citizens to be vigilant against corporations, lobbyists, and greedy politicians who are now convinced that the only way to grow and feed the population in the UK post-Brexit is via gene-edited or GMO foods!

Under the UK's internal market legislation, introduced by the Tory government at Westminster, anything approved for sale in one part of the UK must be available across the whole of the UK. This legislation basically undermines "devolution" in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We are already seeing the chaos caused by the "Northern Ireland Protocol Bill" and its hasty signing off as an election promise in their manifesto by the Tories in the 2019 general elections. MSP Mairi McAllan has written to her Westminster counterpart saying: "If the UK government is determined to press ahead with this legislation, it must take steps to ensure that its revisions to the definition of a GMO (genetically modified organism) do not force products on Scotland which do not meet standards here without the consent of the Scottish Parliament." simultaneously raising concerns about the impact of the bill on Scotland’s food exports to the European Union, which currently still has a ban in place for GMO’s.

So, what can we do in Scotland to stop this mad onslaught on our food and its impact on Scottish soil and water in the coming decades if this bill is passed?&nbsp; Once again, be informed about the technology that is being promoted, ask questions to your elected MSP/MP and try to understand the link between corporations like Monsanto, politicians and large-scale food producers. The citizens always pay the price when things go wrong. Let’s make sure this does not happen to Scotland’s land, water, air, and health of its population.

Corporations and scientists in the pockets of big pharma are always on the lookout for a perfect opportunity to peddle their creations to an unsuspecting public.

Corporations and scientists in the pockets of big pharma are always on the lookout for a perfect opportunity to peddle their creations to an unsuspecting public. Both Brexit and the pandemic have given these capitalist opportunists a perfect situation to push for the loosening of legislation controlling the quality and safety of our food, both locally grown and imported from abroad. Westminster is hell-bent on removing environmental and health safeguards that environmentalists fought for in this country for decades. So, what is happening now at Westminster? The Tory government in London has introduced a Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill which would set different rules from the EU following Brexit and has asked all devolved nations, including Scotland, to allow gene-edited crops to be grown. The Scottish government's environment secretary, MSP Mairi McAllan, dismissed the idea, saying that Scotland will set its own food standards under devolution and will not accept any constraints placed on its food policies. What is gene-editing? Gene editing basically allows scientists to change a plant or animal's DNA. Many experts would consider it one step before GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms), which are currently banned in Europe and the UK as a whole. Since Brexit, the UK government has been hell bent on eroding all our food and environmental safety laws that we as a country have fought so hard to achieve over the past many decades. I have previously in my columns highlighted the need for citizens to be vigilant against corporations, lobbyists, and greedy politicians who are now convinced that the only way to grow and feed the population in the UK post-Brexit is via gene-edited or GMO foods! Under the UK's internal market legislation, introduced by the Tory government at Westminster, anything approved for sale in one part of the UK must be available across the whole of the UK. This legislation basically undermines "devolution" in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We are already seeing the chaos caused by the "Northern Ireland Protocol Bill" and its hasty signing off as an election promise in their manifesto by the Tories in the 2019 general elections. MSP Mairi McAllan has written to her Westminster counterpart saying: "If the UK government is determined to press ahead with this legislation, it must take steps to ensure that its revisions to the definition of a GMO (genetically modified organism) do not force products on Scotland which do not meet standards here without the consent of the Scottish Parliament." simultaneously raising concerns about the impact of the bill on Scotland’s food exports to the European Union, which currently still has a ban in place for GMO’s. So, what can we do in Scotland to stop this mad onslaught on our food and its impact on Scottish soil and water in the coming decades if this bill is passed? Once again, be informed about the technology that is being promoted, ask questions to your elected MSP/MP and try to understand the link between corporations like Monsanto, politicians and large-scale food producers. The citizens always pay the price when things go wrong. Let’s make sure this does not happen to Scotland’s land, water, air, and health of its population.

UK government pushing for GMO's via gene-editing technology

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Chinese scientist He Jiankui proposes controversial gene-editing research on embryos

UK government pushing for GMO's via gene-editing technology