Prof behind gene editing suspended
■ Rice University unaware of controversial research by faculty
Texas, Nov. 30: Michael Deem, a bioengineering professor at the Rice University in Houston, Texas, is under investigation. Media reports had quoted him of having involved with the work of He Jiankui, the Chinese researcher who claimed to have created the world’s first gene-edited babies.
Deem was He’s adviser at Rice for 3½ years and published three papers with He. “This research raises troubling scientific, legal and ethical questions,” said Doug Miller, director at the university’s media relations team.
In a statement, Miller said
Rice had “no knowledge of this work.”
“We have begun a full probe of Dr Deem’s involvement in this research.”
He claims that he used a tool called CRISPR-Cas9,
which can insert or deactivate certain genes, to alter the CCR5 gene in the DNA of several embryos to make them resistant to HIV. Two babies, twin girls named Lulu and Nana, were supposedly born a “few weeks ago”. He announced in a video on YouTube, saying they were “as healthy as any other babies” and were home with their parents, Grace and Mark.
He defended his work on Wednesday at the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing conference in Hong Kong and announced that there was a second pregnancy using genetically edited eggs, which he said was in an early stage.
Worldwide reaction to He’s Sunday announcement was swift. Hundreds of Chinese biomedical and AIDS researchers issued statements condemning the research. Several scientists said the experiment was “monstrous,” “premature, dangerous and irresponsible.”
The Chinese government announced an “immediate investigation” to verify He’s claims, questioning the ethical approval process and wondering of families were adequately informed of the nature of the experiment. Deem did not respond to calls and emails but told The AP that he was in China with the families at the time they gave consent and “absolutely” believed they understood the risks.