China’ Eugenic Gene Editing Program, By Brian Simpson

China's foray into gene editing, particularly with eugenic undertones, gained international attention through two major threads: the actions of scientist He Jiankui and the activities of the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI). Here's an account based on insights from Ben Lamm's discussion on The Joe Rogan Experience (Episode #2301).

In November 2018, He Jiankui, a biophysicist at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, announced he had used CRISPR-Cas9 to edit the genomes of twin girls, Lulu and Nana, to make them resistant to HIV. He targeted the CCR5 gene, which HIV uses to enter cells, disabling it in the embryos—a change that would be heritable. A third gene-edited child was later confirmed born from his experiments. He recruited couples where the fathers were HIV-positive, aiming to protect their offspring from potential infection later in life. This wasn't about preventing transmission during conception (a risk already minimised by IVF and sperm washing) but about engineering long-term immunity.

The announcement, made ahead of the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing in Hong Kong, sparked global outrage. Scientists and ethicists condemned it as reckless, citing risks of unintended mutations, ethical breaches (e.g., inadequate consent), and the Pandora's box of "designer babies." China's government swiftly distanced itself, claiming he acted rogue. In 2019, he was convicted of "illegal medical practices," fined 3 million yuan (about $430,000 USD), and sentenced to three years in prison. Post-release in 2022, he has resumed research, now focusing on gene therapies for diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy, claiming to avoid heritable edits—though his past actions fuel scepticism.

Speculation persists, as Lamm noted, that He Jiankui might have also targeted intelligence-related genes. While no definitive evidence confirms this (CCR5 is linked to HIV resistance, with some studies suggesting a side effect on memory in mice), the possibility aligns with broader concerns about China's eugenic ambitions. He Jiankui himself acknowledged awareness of CCR5's cognitive links during the 2018 summit, though he denied pursuing enhancement.

The Beijing Genomics Institute (now BGI Group), a Shenzhen-based biotech giant, represents a more systemic piece of this narrative. Founded in 1999, BGI has grown into a global leader in genomics, managing China's National Gene Bank since 2016 and boasting vast sequencing capabilities. Lamm highlighted BGI's role during the Covid-19 pandemic, alleging they offered free testing globally to collect DNA data. While no direct evidence ties this to a formal eugenics program, BGI's actions have raised alarms.

A 2021 Reuters investigation revealed that BGI's NIFTY prenatal test—used by over 8 million women worldwide— was developed with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and used to amass genetic data. The test screens for conditions like Down syndrome but also feeds into BGI's research, some of which involves the Chinese military. Documents show collaborations with PLA hospitals since 2010, including studies on foetal genomes and pathogen testing. BGI has denied sharing NIFTY data with the military for security purposes, asserting compliance with privacy laws, but its privacy policy allows data-sharing with Chinese authorities if deemed "relevant to national security."

Lamm's claim that BGI seeks intelligence genes echoes a 2012 project where BGI aimed to identify genetic markers for IQ, hoping to boost each generation's intelligence by 5-15 points. While not explicitly tied to the NIFTY data, this ambition suggests a long-term interest in cognitive enhancement. U.S. officials, including the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, warn that such data could fuel economic or military advantages—potentially even bioweapons—though hard proof of weaponisation remains elusive.

China's biotech push aligns with its "Made in China 2025" plan, which prioritises genomics as a strategic field. The government has invested heavily (e.g., $9 billion in 2016) to lead in genetic sciences, often blurring lines between civilian and military applications. Critics see this as part of a eugenic vision—improving population "quality" through science—rooted in historical policies like the one-child policy's focus on reducing birth defects. BGI's ties to the state, including subsidies and contracts with security agencies, amplify these concerns.

China's gene editing efforts showcase cutting-edge innovation. He's CRISPR work, while unethical, demonstrated technical feasibility, and BGI's sequencing scale is unmatched, positioning China as a biotech powerhouse.

Targeting HIV resistance or reducing genetic disorders could, in theory, benefit millions, especially in regions with high disease burdens—aligning with China's stated goals of health advancement.

If intelligence or other traits can be enhanced, China could gain a competitive edge in human capital, a bold (if controversial) play in global geopolitics.

He Jiankui's case exposed gaping holes in China's regulatory framework. Despite guidelines banning reproductive gene editing, enforcement was lax until public backlash forced action. His "rogue" label feels convenient—some argue he had tacit support until the optics soured.

The Reuters report on BGI's NIFTY tests highlights a consent crisis. Millions of women likely didn't know their data fed military-linked research. He's subjects also signed incomplete consent forms, undermining autonomy.

CRISPR's off-target effects are well-documented—He's edits reportedly caused mosaicism (uneven gene changes) in one twin, risking unforeseen health issues. The rush to apply unproven tech to humans prioritises prestige over safety.

Seeking intelligence genes or "perfecting" humans reeks of historical eugenics—think Nazi racial engineering or forced sterilisations. Even if framed as progress, it invites discrimination and dehumanisation.

China's opacity fuels distrust. If BGI's data collection aids the PLA, as the U.S. fears, it's less about eugenics and more about control—genetic surveillance or tailored pathogens. Yet, the West's own biotech advances (e.g., CRISPR trials) suggest hypocrisy in blanket condemnation. The real critique isn't that China pursues this—it's that they do so with less accountability than democratic systems demand.

China's gene editing program, as glimpsed through He Jiankui and BGI, blends groundbreaking science with ethical quicksand. It's a cautionary tale of ambition outpacing restraint, where the pursuit of a "better" human risks crossing into dystopia. The critique isn't just of China—it's of humanity's readiness to wield such power. Without global norms, enforced transparently, this could be less a Chinese problem and more a universal one waiting to erupt elsewhere. If China does it, it will become necessary for national security, for everyone else to do it as well.

https://www.vigilantfox.com/p/joe-rogan-guest-offers-a-bone-chilling

"Biotech entrepreneur Ben Lamm painted a bone-chilling picture of where humanity could be headed on episode #2301 of The Joe Rogan Experience.

Gene editing was at the heart of the conversation—and according to Lamm, China isn't just experimenting with it. They've already created genetically modified children.

He pointed to a now-infamous case in 2018, when Chinese scientist He Jiankui announced that he had cloned human embryos and edited their genes using CRISPR to make them resistant to HIV.

The news shocked the world and led to widespread condemnation. He was later sentenced to prison for violating scientific ethics and conducting unapproved procedures.

But Lamm warned it doesn't stop there.

He said there's a growing debate over whether those same embryos were also edited for enhanced intelligence. The science is still inconclusive, but the intent, he claims, is very real.

Lamm pointed to BGI (Beijing Genomics Institute) as a key player in this effort. He claimed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, BGI offered free testing to countries around the world—not just out of goodwill, but to harvest DNA at scale.

"They're like, 'We'll do all the COVID testing for you free,'" he said. "Just send us your data."

BGI has drawn global scrutiny. A 2021 Reuters investigation revealed that the company's prenatal tests, taken by millions of women globally, were being used to collect genetic data for the Chinese military without proper consent or oversight.

Lamm alleges that BGI has publicly stated its mission is to sequence as much of the global population as possible in search of genes tied to intelligence—and act on the findings.

"They are openly saying we are sequencing as much as we can of the world population looking for genes for intelligence," he told Rogan. "That's not a hidden thing."