Authorities in Beijing are reportedly scrutinising gene - editing trials for the first time , including those using CRISPR technology , amid mounting concerns about a lack of regulatory oversight . Reports of clinical studies which have not been in touch with participants , and the death of a clinical trial participant that was not investigated have reportedly alarmed Western media . China 's science ministry has now requested its first - ever information about a trial , run by Anhui Kedgene Biotechnology . Chinese scientists have raced ahead in experimenting with gene-editing on humans in the last few years, using a powerful new tool called Crispr-Cas9 to edit the DNA of dozens of cancer patients. The moves come after the claim in 2012 that a Shenzhen - based scientist had used CRISPR to create the world ’s first gene - edited babies , causing international outrage .
Authorities in Beijing are reportedly scrutinising gene - editing trials for the first time , including those using CRISPR technology , amid mounting concerns about a lack of regulatory oversight . Reports of clinical studies which have not been in touch with participants , and the death of a clinical trial participant that was not investigated have reportedly alarmed Western media . China 's science ministry has now requested its first - ever information about a trial , run by Anhui Kedgene Biotechnology . The moves come after the claim in 2012 that a Shenzhen - based scientist had used CRISPR to create the world ’s first gene - edited babies , causing international outrage .