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Chinese scientists claims to create world's first CRISPR babies

1,703 views · Published 27 December 2018 · 0:56 · Indexed 2 October 2026

Channel: News Direct · 2018 · Education

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RESTRICTIONS: Broadcast: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Digital: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN
A scientist in China has been under scrutiny for allegedly using CRISPR, a gene-editing tool, to create the first gene-edited babies.


In describing his process of gene-editing, He Jiankui said he first "washed" the sperm to separate it from semen and then placed the sperm into a single egg to create an embryo during in vitro fertilization.


After the embryo was 3 to 5 days old, CRISPR-cas9 was used to remove a gene called CCR5.


The scientist claims he previously experimented on editing the DNA of mice, monkey and human embryos in his lab for several years.


He claims he altered the DNA to make the babies immune to HIV, according to the Associated Press. 


He also claims the gene surgery was a success and produced twin baby girls.


The participants of the study were reportedly told that gene-editing was similar to a vaccine and were made to sign a consent form in which they were told that gene editing on an embryo has never been tried before and carries risks.


An immediate investigation has been ordered into He's claims of having created the world's first genetically-edited babies, according to the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China.


The hospital He claims to have conducted the research in has denied any involvement with the surgery and said the babies weren't born there.


Shenzhen Hermonicare Women's and Children's Hospital also said they plan to conduct an internal investigation on two doctors in their hospital that the Chinese scientist claims were also involved.


RUNDOWN SHOWS:
1. CRISPR gene-editing tool
2. Process of gene-editing to create an embryo
3. Altering the DNA with CRISPR and HIV virus
4. DNA strand and twin baby girls 


VOICEOVER (in English): 
"A scientist in China has been under scrutiny for allegedly using CRISPR, a gene-editing tool, to create the first gene-edited babies."

"In describing his process of gene-editing, He Jiankui said he first 'washed' the sperm to separate it from semen and then placed the sperm into a single egg to create an embryo during in vitro fertilization."

"After the embryo was 3-5 days old, CRISPR-cas9 was used to remove a gene called CCR5."

"According to the Associated Press, He claims he altered the DNA to make the babies immune to HIV." 

"He also claims the gene surgery was a success and produced twin baby girls."


SOURCES: The Associated Press, CNN, The New York Times, MIT Technology Review, National Health COmmission of the People's Republic of China,
https://www.apnews.com/4997bb7aa36c45449b488e19ac83e86d
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/26/health/china-crispr-gene-editing-twin-babies-first-intl/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/26/health/gene-editing-babies-china.html
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612458/exclusive-chinese-scientists-are-creating-crispr-babies/
http://www.nhc.gov.cn/zhuz/ttyw/201811/314206cbb65d48e38ef30030b0eccbef.shtml


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