Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine has launched an investigation following reports that a six-year-old girl died during an experimental gene-editing trial that was not disclosed in published studies.
The child, referred to as "Mei" in reports, passed away last year approximately one week after receiving a spinal infusion containing trillions of viruses designed to deliver gene therapy to her brain. The therapy aimed to correct a rare genetic disorder causing developmental delays.
This information emerged from a joint investigation by Science and Retraction Watch, which revealed the lead researcher, neuroscientist Zilong Qiu, published related animal study findings in Nature without mentioning Mei's participation or death.
In a statement, the university emphasized its commitment to research integrity and ethics, stating it has formed a special working group to conduct a thorough inquiry. The institution pledged to take serious action based on the investigation's outcomes.
Mei's parents reportedly funded the trial with over $800,000 but were not fully informed of the potential risks involved. The gene therapy was intended to be the first to edit genes directly in the brain by repairing a mutated gene in neurons to enable production of a vital protein.
This incident adds to challenges facing China’s biotechnology sector, following previous controversies such as the 2018 case involving gene-edited babies by biophysicist He Jiankui.
