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Echo Xie

He Jiankui, the Chinese biophysicist behind the world’s first gene-edited children, will conduct gene-editing research using artificial intelligence in Hong Kong.
He posted on the Chinese messaging app WeChat on Saturday that he had been granted a Hong Kong visa on February 11 under the Top Talent Pass Scheme.
The government launched the scheme on December 28 to try to attract top international talent to explore opportunities in the city.
He confirmed on Monday that he had obtained the visa, saying that he was “optimistic about [the future of] Hong Kong”.
Hong Kong revokes work visa given to scientist jailed for medical malpractice
He said he would conduct research in Hong Kong but did not elaborate on who he would work with.
“We plan to use artificial intelligence tools to evolve the adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids to improve the efficiency of gene therapy and promote affordable gene therapy for rare diseases,” he said.
AAV is a small virus that has emerged as the most promising platform for gene therapy. Scientists engineer the outer protein shell of AAV, known as capsid, to improve targeting and efficacy.
The talent scheme He applied for allows stays of up to 24 months, during which the holder can work or start a business in Hong Kong.
World’s first gene-edited humans living ‘normal, peaceful’ lives: He Jiankui
Eligible applicants must fall into one of three categories, one of which requires having an annual income of at least HK$2.5 million (US$319,000) over the previous year. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from the world’s top 100 universities who have been working for three of the past five years are also eligible to apply.
Bachelor’s degree holders with less than three years of experience can also apply, but their numbers are capped at 10,000 visas annually.
Applications for a visa or entry permit under the scheme “may be favourably considered” if there is no security objection or no known record of serious crime regarding the applicant, according to the Immigration Department’s website.
He was released from prison in April 2022 after serving a three-year sentence for illegal medical practices.
‘Foolish choice’: Chinese scientist’s gene-edited babies could die early
It is not known which category He falls under.
A spokesman said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government would not comment on individual cases.
“The Immigration Department acts in accordance with the laws and policies in handling each application. A person who knowingly and wilfully makes a statement or gives information which he/she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa/entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect,” the government spokesman said.
As of February 13, out of 10,810 applications received, 7,689 had been approved. About half the applicants were recent graduates from top international universities with at least three years’ working experience, according to a previous report in the Post.
About two-thirds of the applicants were from mainland China, and people earning HK$2.5 million or more in annual income accounted for one-sixth of all applicants.
A veteran medical researcher from a Hong Kong university said on condition of anonymity that he found the news of He coming to the city “pretty surprising”.


“He obviously has a criminal record in the mainland … I can’t imagine anyone in universities would collaborate with him,” the researcher said.
He said he has been working on gene therapy research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a rare genetic disease characterised by progressive muscle damage. He planned to register a not-for-profit research organisation called the “Beijing Institute for Rare Disease Research” in the Beijing district of Daxing.
He told an event on February 11 he was trying to raise 50 million yuan (US$7.3 million) with an aim to enter clinical trials by March 2025.
Additional reporting by Elizabeth Cheung


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Science

Controversial Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui granted Hong Kong visa despite criminal record

He Jiankui confirmed his visa under the new Top Talent Pass Scheme, adding he is ‘optimistic’ about Hong Kong’s future. Photo: Weibo

‘Respect them,’ says He Jiankui, creator of world’s first gene-edited humans

The scientific community has questioned the ethics of an experiment that Chinese scientist He Jiankui, seen here in a 2018 photo, went to jail for. Photo: AFP

The big mystery at the centre of China’s gene-edited baby scandal: where is scientist He Jiankui?

A Chinese scientist shocked the world last year when he announced that he had edited the genes of twin girls to prevent them from inheriting HIV from their father. Photo: AP

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 29, 2018 Chinese scientist He Jiankui reacts during a panel discussion after his speech at the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing in Hong Kong. - The gene editing performed on Chinese twins last year meant to immunize them against HIV may have failed in its purpose and created unintended mutations, scientists said Tuesday after the original research was made public for the first time. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

Gene-edited babies: Chinese scientist He Jiankui ‘may have created unintended mutations’

Chinese scientist He Jiankui made claims of a medical breakthrough that could control the HIV epidemic. Photo: AFP

He Jiankui, Chinese creator of world’s first gene-edited babies, cancels Oxford event

The University of Oxford said in a statement that He Jiankui, pictured, had been scheduled to attend a private event in Oxford, but “we understand this has been postponed until further notice”. Photo: AP Photo

News

China

He confirms visa under new Top Talent Pass Scheme, adding he is ‘optimistic’ about city’s future
Creator of world’s first gene-edited humans spent three years in a mainland prison for illegal medical practices


He confirms his visa under the new Top Talent Pass Scheme, adding he is ‘optimistic’ about Hong Kong’s future.


Controversial Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui granted Hong Kong visa despite criminal record

He confirms visa under new Top Talent Pass Scheme, adding he is ‘optimistic’ about city’s future Creator of world’s first gene-edited humans spent three years in a mainland prison for illegal medical practices

He confirms visa under new Top Talent Pass Scheme, adding he is ‘optimistic’ about city’s future

Creator of world’s first gene-edited humans spent three years in a mainland prison for illegal medical practices