China bans clinical research in germline genome editing as ‘irresponsible’

China has banned all clinical research involving germline genome editing under a newly released ethics guideline.

Germline gene engineering relates to altering the DNA in sperm, eggs or early embryos to introduce changes that can be inherited.

“Any clinical research involving germline genome editing is irresponsible and not permitted,” according to the Ethical Guideline for Human Genome Editing Research, released earlier this week by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

The guideline marks the latest effort from China to tighten ethics reviews and regulations after bioscientist He Jiankui shocked the world in 2018 with the announcement that he had created twin gene-edited babies to make them less vulnerable to HIV/Aids.

“Only when benefits, risks and alternative options are fully understood and weighed, when issues of safety and efficacy are addressed, broad social consensus is reached and rigorous evaluation is conducted, could clinical research be considered with strict supervision in place,” the guideline adds.

It also strictly prohibits the use of genome editing research on germ cells, fertilised eggs, or human embryos for reproductive purposes.

“The potential detrimental impacts and risks...