China convicts 3 researchers involved in gene-edited babies

Three researchers involved in the births of genetically edited babies have been convicted and sentenced for practicing medicine illegally. The report by Xinhua news agency said lead researcher He Jiankui was sentenced to three years and fined $430,000. Two other people received lesser sentences and fines. Jiankui shocked the scientific world when he announced in November 2018 that he had helped make the world's first genetically edited babies, twin girls born in the same month. The court said the three researchers had not obtained qualification as doctors to practice medicine, pursued fame and profits, deliberately violated Chinese regulations on scientific research and crossed an ethical line in both scientific research and medicine.