China’s ‘Dr. Frankenstein’ Thinks Time Is on His Side

New York Times - WorldEN 7 min read 100% complete by Andrew HigginsJanuary 13, 2026 at 06:01 AM

AI Summary

long article 7 min

He Jiankui, the Chinese researcher who created the world's first gene-edited babies and subsequently served three years in prison, has re-emerged in China's biotechnology landscape. Despite his controversial past and conviction for deceiving medical authorities, He is living openly in a government-backed research hub near Beijing. He claims there is growing demand for researchers who push boundaries and has received a job offer from a government-funded medical academy in Shenzhen. While his passport has been seized, preventing international travel, He remains a vocal figure in China's biotech sector, suggesting a potential shift in perspective towards his work as China aims to become a biotechnology superpower.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

The New York Times 30% University of Arizona 40% Hong Kong 40% Benjamin Hurlbut 50% Shenzhen 50% Beijing ×260% China ×685% He Jiankui ×695%

Keywords

he jiankui 100% gene editing 100% genetically edited babies 80% biotechnology 70% china 70% research ethics 60% scientific boundaries 50% medical authorities 40% research hub 40%