Gene-edited Chinese babies may have enhanced brains, scientists say
- He Jiankui could have altered cognitive functions of twin girls when he used CRISPR to disable the CCR5 gene that allows HIV to infect human cells
- CCR5 is linked to deficits in learning and memory but it is impossible to predict the effect of gene editing, according to neurobiologist
Controversial Chinese scientist He Jiankui, who shocked the world with claims he helped create the first gene-edited babies, may have unintentionally enhanced the brains of the children whose genes he altered, according to scientists.
He, who was found to have “seriously violated” Chinese laws in the pursuit of his work, likely changed the cognitive functions of twin girls when he used the gene-editing tool CRISPR to disable the CCR5 gene that allows HIV to infect human cells, the MIT Technology Review reported.
Neurobiologist Alcino J. Silva, from the University of California, Los Angeles, who co-authored a 2016 study that found CCR5 was linked to deficits in learning and memory, said the gene editing likely affected the babies’ brains, though the exact effect was impossible to predict.
“The simplest interpretation is that those mutations will probably have an impact on cognitive function in the twins,” Silva was quoted as saying.
The experiment sparked a global backlash after He publicised the births of the gene-edited twins, nicknamed “Lulu” and “Nana”. Chinese authorities have since said He and his team would be punished according to the relevant laws and regulations for performing human embryo gene editing for the purpose of reproduction, which is banned in the country, state-run Xinhua said earlier this month.
