The ethical debate about human genetic engineering has increased in pitch, with the publication of a new human embryo–editing paper.

Chinese researchers report this week that they have used the CRISPR gene-editing technique to modify a human embryo to make it resistant to HIV infection.

The paper, reported on here by Nature News, is just the second academic publication on the use of gene editing in human embryos, something many consider ethically fraught.

According to the new study in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, researchers at Guangzhou Medical University in China attempted - with limited success - to modify the CCR5 gene, which codes for a cell receptor that the HIV virus uses to enter T cells.

The research was performed using flawed embryos that have no use in fertility treatments, and were destroyed after 3 days.

It comes not long after a human embryo-editing paper from a different Chinese team published in April 2015 kicked off global debate about the ethics of such experiments, and even calls for a ban on similar research.

In December last year, an international scientific summit concluded that although gene-edited embryos should not be implanted in a woman’s uterus, basic research in this area should not be condemned either.

“The conference ended with the organising committee, a mix of 12 biologists, physicians, and bioethicists, strongly endorsing the use of CRISPR and similar methods,” reports from the conference say.

The experts determined that CRISPR should be encouraged “for basic research that involves altering the DNA sequences of human eggs, sperm, or embryos - work that is at the moment ineligible for federal funding in the United States and that in Germany could even get a scientist imprisoned.”

Strong views about what kind of research should take place still abound, based on a vast array of cultural, ethical, moral, religious and environmental concerns.

Most recently, UK officials have approved an embryo-editing study designed to help understand early human development and possibly assist in HIV prevention.

According to UK media reports, some question what CCR5-editing experiments could lead to.

Human Genetics Alert chief Dr David King says; “This research will allow the scientists to refine the techniques for creating GM babies, and many of the Government's scientific advisers have already decided that they are in favour of allowing that.

“This is the first step in a well mapped-out process leading to GM babies, and a future of consumer eugenics.”