He Jiankui, China biologist behind gene-edited babies, reveals million-dollar US work offer

He said he will consider proposal from Silicon Valley investor to help start research company focused on Alzheimer’s

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A controversial Chinese biophysicist who shocked the world by using gene-editing technology to create engineered babies is considering relocating to the United States. Photo: AP

Published: 3:00pm, 26 Jul 2024Updated: 3:25pm, 26 Jul 2024

The Chinese scientist who sparked global uproar in 2018 by creating the world’s first gene-edited babies said on Thursday that he is considering an offer to work in the United States.

Biophysicist He Jiankui told an online round table that an investor from Silicon Valley has offered him US$1 million to help start a company in the US focused on gene-editing technologies to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s a very interesting proposal, and I’ll consider it. I would be happy to work in the United States if there is a good opportunity,” he told the round table organised by the magazine MIT Technology Review.

He served a three-year sentence for illegal medical practices and has struggled to regain a foothold in the research community since his release from prison in 2022.

Plans to work in Hong Kong under the city’s top talent scheme were dashed last year, when He’s visa was revoked over suspicions that he had made false statements in the application paperwork.

In addition to a laboratory in Wuhan, central China, He said he has also opened a relatively new and “independent” facility at Sanya, in the southern island province of Hainan, with funding from American donors and Chinese companies.