Criticism pours in on gene editing claim

The audacious move by a Chinese scientist to create the world's first twin babies ostensibly immune to HIV by using gene editing technology continued to generate widespread condemnation in China and abroad on Tuesday, with investigations from various authorities having yet to reach a conclusion.

He Jiankui, a biological researcher in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, announced on Monday that twin girls, Lulu and Nana, were born healthy earlier this month via invitro fertilization with gene editing technology that immunized them from HIV infection.

He's announcement stirred heated debate among scholars, with many on Tuesday joining the fray to condemn him for ethics flaws, and questioning the very necessity of such a procedure.