Trending News Today: Jury Convicts Notorious Price-Gouger Martin Shkreli

The FDA warned a New York physician to cease marketing an experimental procedure that uses DNA from 3 individuals to avoid certain genetic diseases, according to The Washington Post. The technique—which involves DNA from a mother, father, and egg donor—was used last year by physician John Zhang to help a Jordanian couple have a baby. Although Dr Zhang said his companies would not use the technology again in the United States without permission, the technique continues to be promoted. Currently, the procedure is not approved in the United States, and Congress has barred the FDA from reviewing proposals to conduct these experiments, the Post reported.

California’s Department of Toxic Substance Control will begin removing soil containing lead from 2500 residential properties this fall. The cleanup is the largest of its kind in California history and affects 7 southeast Los Angeles county neighborhoods, according to the Los Angeles Times. The properties are located near the Exide Technologies battery recycling plant in Vernon, which was forced to shut down more than 2 years ago because of potential federal criminal charges. California has refused the requests by lawmakers, reporters, and community members to release crucial information regarding the contamination and cleanup. The operations have threatened the health of an estimated 100,000 individuals, according to reports.

Former pharmaceutical CEO Martin Shkreli was convicted Friday on federal charges that he deceived investors in a pair of failed hedge funds, according to The Washington Post. Brooklyn jury members deliberated 5 days before finding Shkreli guilty on 3 of 8 counts. Outside the courthouse, Shkreli called his prosecution “a witch hunt of epic proportion,” the Post reported. However, he did say maybe the government had found “1 or 2 broomsticks.” Shkreli had been charged with securities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Shkreli previously made headlines after his company, Turing Pharmaceuticals, acquired the HIV drug Daraprim and increased the price 5000%.