This is the blog for GW students taking Human Evolutionary Genetics. This site is for posting interesting tidbits on: the patterns and processes of human genetic variation;human origins and migration; molecular adaptations to environment, lifestyle and disease; ancient and forensic DNA analyses; and genealogical reconstructions.

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GWHEG figure

Monday, February 10, 2020

Potluck 4: Ethical and Social Issues - Guilty as Charged

Chinese scientist He Jiankui



















This article follows the verdict rendered of He Jiankui, known as "JK", a 35 year-old Chinese geneticist who in November of 2018, shocked the word with the first genetically altered babies, known as the CRISPR babies. JK was sentenced to 3 years in the Jail on the count of Mal-practice (China does not have any laws on gene editing and his colleagues were sentenced to 24 and 18 months.) The back story to this situation is that JK, tried to mimic what already occurs in certain human populations (ask me in class I will fill you in) however, due to the rouge"ness" of this research, even if it was with good intentions was faced with sever backlash. Ultimately, JK was trying to help an HIV + couple have children that would not be exposed to the virus. 

Discussion Question:

1. How does this match with Designer Babies? Is the West mad the East got the job done first? Designer Babies
2. Is parental consent all that is needed, or is the argument that the child should have say? How does this match with male circumcision? 







Warrenkevin B. Henderson








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