Girl died after gene-editing treatment in China: Report

A six-year-old Chinese girl, given the pseudonym 'Mei,' died in March 2025 after receiving an experimental gene-therapy spinal infusion of trillions of viruses.

The treatment aimed to correct Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome, a rare genetic condition causing mild cognitive impairment, but parents paid over $800,000 and were not adequately informed of risks.

Lead researcher neuroscientist Zilong Qiu published a related animal study in Nature without mentioning Mei's case.

Seven experts said Qiu downplayed risks and proceeded despite low success odds, calling for a full review of the Nature paper data.

The case raises questions about testing experimental treatments on patients with non-fatal conditions.