China is at the forefront of applying CRISPR, a revolutionary genome editing tool that’s speeding progress in agriculture, biomedicine, and animal models. This package of print and audio stories explores every facet of CRISPR in China, much of which remains underreported, as well as the complex issues surrounding the regulations, oversight, investment, ethics, intellectual property, and the law. Specific stories focus on agriculture, the first clinical trial of a CRISPR medical therapeutic, animal studies related to organ transplants, and embryo editing.
With Its CRISPR Revolution, China Becomes a World Leader in Genome Editing
For many people, CRISPR plus China equals the biophysicist He Jiankui, who infamously used the genome editor last year to alter the DNA of two human embryos that would become twin girls.
Did CRISPR Help—or Harm—the First-Ever Gene-Edited Babies?
What are the potential impacts of modifying genes in humans? Jon Cohen reports on Lulu and Nana, Chinese twins who were genetically modified to be HIV resistant.
The Untold Story of the ‘Circle of Trust’ Behind the World’s First Gene-Edited Babies
Some people who know He and have spoken to Science contend it is time for a more open discussion of how the biophysicist formed his circle of confidants and how the larger circle of trust—the one between the scientific community and the public—broke down.
China’s CRISPR Push in Animals Promises Better Meat, Novel Therapies, and Pig Organs for People
Chinese researchers are investigating CRISPR's genome editing applications in monkeys, pigs, dogs, and even people.
This Week: China and the Gene Editing Revolution
The Pulitzer Center's newsletter for the week of July 30, 2019.