China’s ‘Dr. Frankenstein’ Thinks Time Is on His Side

China's 'Dr. Frankenstein' Thinks Time Is on His Side

He Jiankui spent three years in prison after creating gene-edited babies. Now back at work, he sees a greater opening for researchers who push boundaries.

China’s ‘Dr. Frankenstein’ Thinks Time Is on His Side

For creating the world’s first genetically edited babies, He Jiankui has been reviled as the Chinese Dr. Frankenstein. He was sent to prison for three years, convicted in China on charges of deceiving medical authorities. But as China ramps up ambitions to become a biotechnology superpower, the disgraced researcher, 41, has not been muzzled or pushed into obscurity. Instead, he is living and speaking openly at his home in a government-backed res…