A Chinese university investigates the death of a six-year-old girl after she reportedly received experimental gene-editing therapy for a rare genetic condition. The treatment is intended to address a genetic mutation associated with delayed cognitive development and neurodevelopment. Two reports say the girl received the experimental therapy to try to correct the underlying condition.
The South China Morning Post reports that a leading Chinese scientist is facing an internal probe by the university after the girl died “following” the treatment. The outlet cites a report published by Science, following a joint investigation by Science and Retraction Watch, which monitors research misconduct and retractions. According to this account, the girl—named Mei—died days after receiving the therapy in March of the previous year. The reports also indicate that the family raised concerns and described the girl’s condition after treatment.
Overall, the sources converge on the core facts: an experimental gene-editing trial, a child with a rare genetic mutation linked to neurodevelopmental delays, and an ongoing university investigation after the reported death. Details beyond these points are not consistently provided across the articles.
