--- title: "Scientist Who Gene Edited Human Babies Says Mistakes Were Made" description: "Chinese geneticist He Jiankui rocked the scientific world with his gene-edited baby experiments back in 2018. Now, he speaks out about some of his regrets." date: "2023-02-07" modified: "2023-02-07" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/scientist-gene-edited-human-babies-mistakes" categories: - "Gene Editing" - "Genetics" - "Health & Medicine" tags: - "he jiankui" - "health" - "human gene editing" --- # Scientist Who Gene Edited Human Babies Says Mistakes Were Made ![Chinese geneticist He Jiankui rocked the scientific world with his gene-edited baby experiments back in 2018. Now, he speaks out about some of his regrets.]() *\Image: Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP\* Chinese geneticist He Jiankui [rocked the scientific world]() with his gene-edited baby experiments back in 2018, a highly controversial use of the technology that ended up sending him to a three-year stint in prison for illegal medical practices. Now, just under a year after being released, He has some regrets about rushing into the experiments. "I did it too quickly," He [told the *South China Morning Post*]() in a new interview. His attempts to use the gene-editing technique CRISPR on three separate babies were designed to modify a gene called CCR5, which is known to offer resistance to the HIV virus. But not everybody was convinced by the controversial experiments or their outcomes. His unpublished studies have been questioned by scientists, some of whom have [since refuted]() He's claims of having edited the gene "successfully" in the twin girls. And regardless of the outcome, experts decried the experiments as unethical. Years — and a prison sentence — later, He is ready to speak out about the current state of the girls. "They have a normal, peaceful and undisturbed life," he told the *SCMP*. "This is their wish and we should respect them," he said, adding that "the happiness of the children and their families should come first." As for their future — after all, the consequences of gene-editing humans are still almost entirely a mystery — He remained vague. "You will have high expectations of them, but you also have huge unease," he told the newspaper, explaining that they will be given the option of having additional "medical follow-ups for their individual needs" once they turn 18. "We committed to doing this for their lifetimes," he added. As for what his next plans are or if he would try it all again using a different approach, He remained vague, telling the *SCMP* that he does "not yet have an answer." Next month, He will [visit the University of Oxford]() and do a series of interviews on reproductive health. "I have a long-term vision, which is that each of us should be free from inherited diseases," he told the newspaper. **READ MORE:** [‘Respect them,’ says He Jiankui, creator of world’s first gene-edited humans]() \[*South China Morning Post*\] **More on He Jiankui:** *[Scientist Suggests Tweaks for Genetically Altered Supersoldiers]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()