Scientist behind ‘world’s first genetically edited babies’ eyes new research

Chinese scientist He Jiankui speaks at a brief press conference in Beijing (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

A Chinese scientist who sparked an ethical debate with claims he made the world’s first genetically edited babies hopes to now research rare hereditary diseases in Hong Kong.

He Jiankui shocked the world in 2018 when he announced he had altered the embryos of twin girls, with many in the scientific community criticising his work as unethical.