The Chinese scientist who announced the creation of the first genetically modified babies last year has been sentenced to three years in jail, according to the official Xinhua news agency. The researcher, He Jiankui , made public in November 2018 the birth of twins with the modified DNA so that they had a natural ability to resist a possible future HIV infection suffered by their father.
The Chinese government, accused of laxism, ordered the suspension of investigations and opened a police investigation into He. The scientist was convicted by a court in the city of Shenzhen, where he had carried out his investigations, for "having illegally carried out genetic manipulation of embryos for reproductive purposes," the official press agency said.
Xinhua said that in total three genetically modified babies were born. The Chinese authorities confirmed in January 2019 that another woman was pregnant with a child with the modified DNA, in addition to the two twins, but the birth of that baby was not confirmed.
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