Experts believe Chinese scientist who Gene-Hacked twins “likely boosted their brainpower”
Genetic enhancement has a variety of unknown impacts on human biology and cognition, and we are no where near to understanding them.
Key takeaways
- Something that is theoretically possible after scientists last year discovered more than 500 genes linked to human intelligence.
- The CCR5 gene is linked to HIV susceptibility, but research published Thursday in the journal Cell shows that it also enhances cognition in mouse studies.
- All the same, evidence gathered by MIT suggests that He likely knew about the role CCR5 plays in the brain.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2019) 'Experts believe Chinese scientist who Gene-Hacked twins “likely boosted their brainpower”', 311 Institute, 24 February. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/experts-believe-chinese-scientist-who-gene-hacked-twins-likely-boosted-their-brainpower/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
When now infamous Chinese scientists He Jiankui edited the genes of human twin babies last year, he was reportedly trying to make them immune to HIV as well as a variety of other diseases – something that was demonstrated possible a while ago when researchers elsewhere used the same gene editing tools to make E. Coli bacteria, which are, let’s face it a completely different kettle of fish compared to humans, immune to every known pathogen on Earth. But researchers familiar with the genetic changes he made are now saying that the specific manipulation he performed may have broader consequences, and affected the twin’s intelligence. Something that is theoretically possible after scientists last year discovered more than 500 genes linked to human intelligence.
The CCR5 gene is linked to HIV susceptibility, but research published Thursday in the journal Cell shows that it also enhances cognition in mouse studies. The gene can also facilitate a human’s recovery after a stroke and may also have a correlations with academic success, according to MIT Technology Review - meaning that the first two enhanced humans with genetically boosted cognition and memory may already be born.
While there’s no direct evidence that He intended to do anything to twin babies Lulu and Nana’s brain, though given his lofty goals for a future without HIV, it seems plausible that he would have also celebrated figuring out how to boost human intelligence. All the same, evidence gathered by MIT suggests that He likely knew about the role CCR5 plays in the brain.
“The answer is likely yes, it did affect their brains,” Alcino Silva, a University of California, Los Angeles neuroscientist who worked on the new research, told MIT. “The simplest interpretation is that those mutations will probably have an impact on cognitive function in the twins.”
Silva, like everyone else, argues that He should not have conducted his research because there’s no way to predict what effect it will have on Lulu and Nana’s lives.
“Could it be conceivable that at one point in the future we could increase the average IQ of the population? I would not be a scientist if I said no,” said Silva. “The work in mice demonstrates the answer may be yes. But mice are not people. We simply don’t know what the consequences will be in mucking around, and we aren’t ready for it yet.”
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Genetic enhancement has a variety of unknown impacts on human biology and cognition, and we are no where near to understanding them.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- 500 genes linked to human intelligence newscientist.com
- research published Thursday cell.com
- according to MIT Technology Review technologyreview.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 24 February 2019. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2019). Experts believe Chinese scientist who Gene-Hacked twins “likely boosted their brainpower”. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/experts-believe-chinese-scientist-who-gene-hacked-twins-likely-boosted-their-brainpower/
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