In 2018, He Jiankui used then-novel CRISPR/Cas9 technology to genetically engineer a fetus for implantation into a donor mother. The aim of the genetic edit was to produce a mutation of the CCR5 gene allegedly conferring resistance against HIV-AIDS. The pregnancy led to the birth of two twin girls, known by the pseudonyms Lulu and Nana.

He and the experiment were the subject of near universal condemnation. He failed to recreate the intended CCR5 mutation, and instead produced an unprecedented CCR5 variant as well as other off-target mutations in Lulu and Nana's genome. The physiological effects of such mutations are unknown. The ordeal was also shrouded in numerous ethical violations, including ill-informed consent of the donor parents, financial fraud, and secrecy. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) set up the Human Genome Editing (HGE) Registry to track scientific trials on human genome editing.

He was found guilty of fraud and scientific misconduct in 2019 and was sent to 3 years in prison; he was let out of prison in 2022. As of February 2023, He claims both girls are safe and normal.

The International Competition Network (ICN) is an informal body where competition authorities and their staff from different states are able to engage with one another on antitrust issues (e.g. monopolies, abuses of market power). As an informal body, it has no legal powers. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is a space where countries can negotiate, create, and enforce rules for trade. The WTO can adjudicate disputes under its rules, and impose penalties on countries or companies who breach the rules. When adjudicating disputes, the WTO functions similarly to a court of law.

For the purposes of this debate, if the ICN had not been formed, antitrust rules would have become part of the WTO's jurisdiction, in addition to and in the same way as trade rules.

A cartel is when a group of producers agree to coordinate supply of their product to the market, which means they can control prices (e.g. cutting supply to increase prices/flooding the market to decrease them). For example, OPEC is a cartel of oil-producing states that is led by Saudi Arabia.

Some sports have different rules for women and men’s sports (e.g. smaller balls in womens cricket, lower net in womens volleyball) while some sports have the same rules (e.g. football, rugby).

The Asian Monetary Fund (AMF) was proposed to be a multilateral alternative to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the dominance of the US dollar. The AMF serves a similar purpose to the IMF in monitoring economic risks and providing financial assistance if necessary with the main difference being the exclusion of the West in the AMF. The AMF was abandoned due to staunch Western opposition but has seen a revival due to a public endorsement by Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim.

‘Publish or Perish’ refers to the attitude or practice existing within academic institutions whereby emphasis is placed on publishing material at regular intervals in order to be deemed successful.