Scientists Skeptical About Gene-Edited Baby Experiment

Experts who examined the data question whether the Chinese scientist was successful

He Jiankui, the Chinese doctor who claims to have engineered the birth of the first two genetically tailored humans, has faced criticism from his peers. Photo: EPA

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—When a Chinese scientist last month claimed to have created the first gene-edited babies, scientists around the world were stunned and alarmed, saying the research had been done without proper disclosure or oversight.

Now, scientists who examined the very limited available data from the experiments are questioning whether the gene edits the scientist claimed he made were even successful. One prominent scientist has called for a moratorium on genetically editing human embryos to create a pregnancy until technical,...