He Jiankui

He Jiankui's accolades are as contentious as his work. The only major recognition he has received is a spot on Time magazine's 100 most influential people list in 2019, which acknowledged his impact on the world, for better or worse. No scientific academy has honored him; instead, he has been widely condemned by organizations like the World Health Organization and national scientific bodies. His case has become a touchstone in bioethics, sparking debates about the limits of scientific ambition. While some may view his inclusion on Time's list as an honor, it is more accurately a reflection of his outsized influence on the field of gene editing.