US Nobel laureate aware of gene-edited baby kept the news from authorities, public

The Nobel-winner remained an adviser to Jiankui’s company for 8 months after he knew of the study. Emails obtained by The Associated Press under a public records request show that Nobel Prize winner Craig Mello of the University of Massachusetts learned about the pregnancy last April from He in a message titled “Success!” “I’m glad for you, but I’d rather not be kept in the loop on this,” Mello replied. I wish your patient the best of luck for a healthy pregnancy.” Mello stayed on as a scientific adviser for He’s Direct Genomics company for eight more months, until December, just after news of the births became public and drew international scorn. In statements provided through his university, Mello said he had no idea He was “personally interested” in human gene editing or had the means to pull it off, and that their discussions were “hypothetical and broad.” Mello repeated his disapproval of He’s project and said he resigned from Direct Genomics’ scientific advisory board because he felt that a company led by He could no longer be effective. “I’m sorry I cannot be more supportive of this effort, I know you mean well.” The emails show Mello attended another Direct Genomics meeting in China in November, about a week before the Hong Kong conference where He made his claim public.