Making gene-edited babies is illegal. This startup says it may be time to reconsider
Startup Origin Genomics is advocating for a reconsideration of the legal ban on gene-editing human embryos to prevent hereditary diseases. The company is testing molecular tools on donated embryos to prove the safety and efficacy of the technology.
Why it matters
This raises significant ethical and legal questions regarding the future of human genetic modification and the potential to eradicate inherited disorders.
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Cathy Tie slips on a white lab coat bearing her name and the logo of her startup: Origin Genomics . "Welcome!" she says as she leads an NPR reporter, photographer and videographer on an exclusive tour of Origin's labs located in New York City. Tie, CEO of Origin, asked NPR to withhold the exact location for security reasons.
Once inside, Tie snaps on a pair of blue rubber gloves and points to a gray metal tank on the floor that looks like a giant thermos.
"This is a cryogenic storage unit that has liquid nitrogen inside, which is where our embryos are stored," she says.
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