Before gene-edited babies, how Chinese scientists created super-strong dogs … and autistic monkeys

Some researchers tinkered with the genes of animals so they would have conditions seen in humans they wished to study or find cures for

Others gave animals potentially useful attributes, such as dogs with bigger muscles that could run faster

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A beagle named Longlong (left) was cloned from another dog, Apple, in China having been modified using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology.

Published: 5:05pm, 30 Nov 2018Updated: 5:48pm, 30 Nov 2018

Following Chinese scientist He Jiankui’s claim this week to have created the world’s first genetically edited babies – twin girls Nana and Lulu – the use of the technology that made this possible has come under international scrutiny.

Here are some of the other ways Chinese scientists have used CRISPR-Cas9 (CRISPR being short for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) to edit genomes:

What is gene editing? Who’s doing it? And is it right?

1. World’s first cloned dog

Last year, Chinese scientists claimed to be the first in the world to clone a dog using CRISPR-Cas9.

The dog in question is a beagle named Longlong, cloned from another dog, Apple. Since Apple’s genes were modified to develop a blood-clotting disorder, Longlong also inherited the disease.

Chinese scientist He Jiankui at a laboratory in Shenzhen, southern China. He claims he helped make the world's first genetically edited babies. Photo: AP

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Before gene-edited babies, how Chinese scientists created super-strong dogs … and autistic monkeys

.css-jfmysa{display:inline;word-break:break-word;}.css-1ankfgb{cursor:pointer;display:inline;word-break:break-word;}What is gene editing? Who’s doing it? And is it right?

What is gene editing? Who’s doing it? And is it right?