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

Hong Kong authorities said late Tuesday (February 21) that they cancelled the visa of a controversial Chinese biophysicist after the initial granting of the visa raised hackles in the scientific community.

Hong Kong authorities said late Tuesday (February 21) that they cancelled the visa of a controversial Chinese biophysicist after the initial granting of the visa raised hackles in the scientific community. The biophysicist- He Jiankui was handed a prison term in 2019 for illegally experimenting on human embryos in a controversial exercise that saw twin girls born with genes he had altered to confer immunity to HIV, a report by news agency AFP said on Tuesday. He was released from jail in April 2022. Earlier on Tuesday, Jiankui said that his Hong Kong visa was approved and he was seeking collaborators to further his work on gene therapy for rare diseases. Speaking to reporters in Beijing, he said, "I am currently contacting Hong Kong's universities, scientific research organisations, and companies. If there are definite and suitable opportunities, I will consider working in Hong Kong." Speaking to AFP, Kiran Musunuru, a genetics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said that Hong Kong's initial decision to grant Jiankui a visa was "appalling". He Jiankui is a convicted criminal" and "woefully incompetent as a scientist. Experimenting on children and causing them genetic damage, as he did, is in my view a form of child abuse" Musunuru said. Later in the day, the Hong Kong government said it had voided the visa of an individual who "made false statements" in the application, adding that a criminal probe had been launched. A statement did not name Jiankui but referred to the details of his case. The statement said that future applicants under the visa scheme must declare if they had a criminal record. Citing officials, AFP reported that this requirement did not exist when the Chinese biophysicist submitted his forms. In 2018, He Jiankui, who studied at Stanford University, stunned the scientific community by announcing the birth of genetically engineered twins. A third child who had undergone gene editing was born the following year. After facing global condemnation, Jiankui was jailed in December 2019 by a Chinese court and fined $430,000 (3 million yuan). According to local media, the court said that he had been "illegally carrying out human embryo gene-editing intended for reproduction." Apart from Jiankui, two of his researchers- Zhang Renli and Qin Jinzhou were also sentenced in 2019. The court's verdict said that the trio did not obtain qualifications to work as doctors and knowingly violated China's regulations and ethical principles. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Hong Kong cancels visa of controversial Chinese biophysicist who has a criminal record

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

Hong Kong cancels visa of controversial Chinese biophysicist who has a criminal record