Scientist Who Gene-Hacked Human Babies Says Ethics Are "Holding Back" Scientific Progress

It's been nearly three years since Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui was released from prison for his notorious gene-hacking experiments on human babies. The news of his release in April 2022 sparked a mix of emotions, with some hailing him as a pioneer in genetic editing and others condemning him for putting the lives of two young girls at risk.

However, it appears that He is now hitting back at the rules and regulations that led to his punishment. In a cryptic post on X that featured a photo of the scientist staring directly into the camera, he wrote that "ethics is holding back scientific innovation and progress." The comment seems like a clear reference to the ethical standards that made his 2018 gene-hacking experiments so contentious.

The controversy surrounding He's experiments began in November 2018, when he announced that he had created the world's first CRISPR babies, pseudonymously known as "Lulu" and "Nana." The goal of these experiments was to make the girls immune to HIV by editing their genes. However, the news sparked widespread outrage, with many scientists and medical professionals condemning He's actions as unethical and potentially deadly.

In 2019, He was arrested in China and sentenced to three years in prison for violating the country's strict bioethics laws. His release from prison in April 2022 marked a new beginning for the scientist, who has since returned to his work on genetic editing. However, it seems that He still harbors a sense of resentment towards the rules and regulations that led to his downfall.

"Gene editing technology has the power to reshape the world," He wrote in a November post. "Like [the] nuclear bomb." These words paint a picture of a scientist who believes that genetic editing can be a powerful tool for revolutionizing human society. However, they also suggest a sense of entitlement and a willingness to disregard conventional ethics in pursuit of scientific progress.

In another post, He declared, "Great revolution begins with controversy." This statement takes on a new light when viewed through the lens of his own experiences. For He, the word "controversy" now seems like a euphemism for being "canceled" by the scientific community and the public.

In addition to making grand proclamations about the power of genetic editing, He has also come out against the use of biological weapons and spoken out in support of universal access to genetic editing technology. However, these statements ring hollow when viewed through the lens of his own history.

"Gene editing should not be conducted in countries with lax regulation in ethics," He wrote in a December post. While this statement may seem like a genuine expression of concern for the safety and efficacy of genetic editing, it also reads as a thinly veiled attempt to justify his own actions and escape the consequences that he faced.

The reality is that He's comments paint a portrait of a scientist who feels hemmed in by the very ethics and regulations that led to his punishment. Despite all evidence to the contrary, He seems to believe that he has been unfairly "canceled" for pushing the boundaries of scientific progress. However, this narrative ignores the harm that his actions caused and the lives that were put at risk.

The story of He Jiankui serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of ethics in scientific research. While genetic editing holds tremendous promise for advancing human knowledge and improving public health, it must be approached with caution and respect for the boundaries set by science itself.