Universities told to examine gene-editing research

The Ministry of Education has told universities around China to examine their conduct in gene-editing research, following domestic and international criticism prompted by a Chinese scientist's controversial attempt to produce the world's first gene-edited babies.

According to online notices issued by Suzhou University of Science and Technology and South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou, the ministry asked universities to examine whether their gene-editing research complies with ethics, standards, laws and regulations.

The self-examination is focused on projects conducted by university-affiliated hospitals, projects involving international cooperation and projects concerning the human genome.

Universities need to hand in their self-examination results and compile a report to the ministry by Dec 31. The report should include any violations of ethics in their life sciences and medical research, details of gene-editing research, the bylaws of their ethics committee and suggestions on improving research ethics.

In videos posted online in November, scientist He Jiankui from Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, defended his embryonic gene editing, designed to help protect twin baby girls from infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

His announcement sparked heated debate among regulators and academics about the procedure's medical ethics and effectiveness.