In 2018, a Chinese scientist made an announcement that shocked the world — and landed him years in prison.

In a special episode of Artificial Evolution, Health Report reporter Shelby Traynor traces the story of He Jiankui, the researcher who helped to produce genetically edited babies.

His actions invited condemnation from scientists worldwide and opened new fronts of scientific and ethical debate.

Thank you to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for supplying the baby KJ audio, and Genepool Productions for supplying the citizen's jury audio used in this episode.

You can hear more episodes of Science Friction with journalist Peter de Kruijff about DNA, cloning, genetic modification and gene editing on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.

• Reporter: Shelby Traynor 
• Presenter: Peter de Kruijff
• Producers: Shelby Traynor, Fiona Pepper
• Senior Producer: James Bullen
• Sound Engineer: Roi Huberman

This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal, Whadjuk Noongar and Menang Noongar peoples.