China’s ‘Frankenstein’ has been released from custody after serving time for creating the world’s first gene-edited baby. He Jiankui, a controversial biophysicist, faced repercussions in 2018 for altering the genetic makeup of three girls to safeguard them from HIV.
Despite his previous legal issues, Jiankui appears undeterred and now seeks to utilize similar genetic editing techniques to combat Alzheimer’s disease. While his intentions may seem commendable, the type of germline editing he proposes is prohibited in numerous countries and mirrors the actions that led to his initial arrest.
Jiankui aims to introduce a specific gene mutation identified in Icelandic individuals who are immune to Alzheimer’s and have extended lifespans. Initially, he plans to conduct experiments on animals before potentially moving on to human trials, with South Africa being a possible location due to the recent legalization of germline gene editing in the country.
Jiankui gained notoriety for announcing the editing of embryos to confer resistance to HIV, which sparked a global outcry over ethical concerns. He was sentenced to three years in prison by Chinese authorities for engaging in unauthorized medical practices.
While gene-editing technology progresses in treating severe diseases through somatic therapies, the proposal to edit embryos for reproductive purposes, especially for complex conditions like Alzheimer’s, remains a contentious issue in the biomedical field.
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