What does it mean to edit a person? Has science run afoul of basic ethics? And what’s the time difference to Hong Kong?
We discuss all that and more on the latest episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. This week, we’re devoting the entire episode to the biggest story in science: the news that a researcher in China edited human embryos that resulted in a pair of CRISPR’d children. First, we break down the fast-moving news and the emergence of He Jiankui, the scientist responsible, as a fascinating character in his own right. Then, STAT’s Sharon Begley, who had a front-row seat to the revelation at a meeting in Hong Kong, joins us to discuss science’s reaction to the news, its implications, and the future of genome editing.
For more on what we cover, here’s the initial news; here’s more on He; here’s how the scientist explained himself; and here’s the latest on China’s reaction.
We’ll be back next Thursday evening — and every Thursday evening — so be sure to sign up on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.
And if you have any feedback for us — topics to cover, guests to invite, vocal tics to cease — you can email [email protected].
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