Gene-editing startup urges rethink of U.S. ban on edited embryos

In a private tour of Origin Genomics’ New York facility, CEO Cathy Tie displayed cryogenic tanks holding embryos donated by families affected by hereditary diseases and demonstrated how the company’s AI-guided gene editors are introduced into stem cells. Tie contends that precise editing of these embryos could eradicate disorders like Huntington’s, cystic fibrosis and hereditary cancers, and she seeks regulatory change to allow clinical use.

The venture joins a small group of U.S. startups pursuing similar work, sparking debate over ethical and safety concerns that date back to the 2018 CRISPR scandal. Critics, including researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and the Center for Genetics and Society, fear premature applications could lead to false hope, regulatory loopholes and a market for designer babies. Tie emphasizes rigorous oversight and a focus on disease prevention, citing a family affected by familial adenomatous polyposis that has invested in the company and donated embryos for research.