The world's first genetically modified baby creator receives a prison sentence

Chinese scientist sentenced to 3 years in prison

According to SCMP, He Jiankui and his associates Zhang Yinli and Qin Jinzhou were charged with "editing the human embryo gene for reproduction, resulting in the birth of three genetically modified children".

He Jiankui was sentenced to 3 years in prison, forced to pay 3 million yuan (about 430,000 USD). Zhang worked for a medical organization in Guangdong, was sentenced to 2 years in prison and fined 1 million yuan. Qin, who works at another health organization in Shenzhen, was sentenced to 18 months in prison but was delayed for 2 years and was fined 500,000 yuan.

He Jiankui is a research scientist at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen. Last November, He announced a study to modify fetal genes to give birth to children who are immune to the HIV virus.

He then faced a life of fierce criticism from Chinese colleagues and media. Genetic editing of human reproductive genes is strictly prohibited in China.
All three defendants do not have a medical degree. "They have acted in the name of scientific research and health management," the Nanshan district court in Shenzhen said.

The court said He had forged documents to bypass ethics and fabricated information for medical doctors to implant embryos to modify genes into the bodies of two women.

All three defendants in court pleaded guilty. Those involved in illegal embryo transplantation will be blacklisted and prohibited from doing related work.

The Chinese news agency Xinhua said the trial, which took place on December 30, was closed to court, with representatives of the defendant's family along with representatives from the National Assembly and representatives of the People's Political Consultative Conference. , allowed to attend.