Whereas the first human gene therapy clinical trial involving CRISPR-Cas9 is about to begin in the United States[1], the Wall Street Journal has reported that, in China, “at least 86 individuals” have already taken part in gene-editing experiments. Eleven clinical trials using CRISPR are allegedly under way, the first one having started in 2015. Western scientists have denounced these trials as “premature” and “irresponsible”. Whilst the American trial basically seeks to confirm the safety of CRISPR, the Chinese trials are attempting to treat cancer or HIV patients without confirmation of the future repercussions of such injections.
For further reading:
[1] CRISPR-Cas9: Authorisation of the first human clinical trial in the United States
Gizmodo, Kristen V Brown (22/01/2018)