Shanghai Jiao Tong University gene‑editing trial kills 6‑year‑old girl
A six‑year‑old girl, identified only as Mei, died a week after receiving an experimental base‑editing gene‑therapy in March 2025. The treatment, aimed at correcting a CHD3 gene mutation that causes Snijders Blok‑Campeau syndrome, was carried out at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine’s affiliated Xinhua Hospital. The trial was led by neuroscientist Zilong Qiu and was funded by the child's parents, who contributed more than $800,000 (around 600 million RMB).
Following the death, Shanghai Jiao Tong University opened a formal investigation and the university’s School of Medicine stressed its commitment to research integrity. The incident was first reported by Science Magazine in partnership with Retraction Watch, prompting wider scrutiny of China’s biotech sector. Industry leaders warned that the tragedy could trigger a regulatory backlash that might restrict the flexibility currently enjoyed by investigator‑initiated clinical trials in China.
Entities: CHD3 gene · Mei · Mei (pseudonym) · Shanghai Jiao Tong University · Snijders Blok‑Campeau syndrome · Xinhua Hospital · Zilong Qiu
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Neuroscientist Zilong Qiu led the experimental gene‑editing trial.
- [● 5 SOURCES] A six‑year‑old girl identified as Mei died a week after receiving an experimental gene‑editing therapy in March 2025. (1313954e-893d-4eac-93ee-2030d037d0df, 569bab08-c1e2-45c0-9c6d-7ad869af9fc3, d2463fd6-d4ce-4070-a30a-8879e5ab62fc, 2d8694)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The parents paid over $800,000 (approximately 600 million RMB) to fund the trial.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Shanghai Jiao Tong University opened a formal investigation into the incident.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Biotech industry leaders fear the incident could trigger a regulatory backlash in China that might restrict investigator‑initiated trials.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The therapy was performed at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine’s affiliated Xinhua Hospital.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Retraction Watch and the journal Science were the first to report the incident.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The trial targeted a CHD3 gene mutation causing Snijders Blok‑Campeau syndrome.