Biotech Founder Advocates for Gene-Edited Human Embryos: A Moral Imperative

Introduction

The debate over gene-edited human embryos continues, with Cathy Tie, a biotech entrepreneur, advocating for public funding to bring gene-edited embryos to IVF clinics. In her commentary published in the journal Trends in Genetics, Tie argues that gene-edited embryos are not only urgent but also a "moral imperative.

The Need for Gene-Edited Embryos

Tie's company, Origin Genomics, was founded in March with plans to bring gene-edited embryos to IVF clinics. Critics of embryo editing argue that screening tools make the need for gene-edited embryos very small. However, Tie believes that gene-editing embryos could help couples in extremely rare situations where every embryo would inherit a disease-causing mutation.

While gene-edited embryos hold promise, there are significant risks and uncertainties. The use of gene-editing tools can introduce off-target effects, which could introduce new health risks. Additionally, the current approach to IVF is inefficient, with viable embryos being hard to come by, even for people without inherited disease risks. Critics argue that gene-edited embryos are not ready for human patients, but Tie argues that the technology is close enough to address the legal and funding barriers that stand in the way of developing it for use in US clinics.

While the technology is not ready for human patients, the potential benefits of gene-edited embryos are significant. Gene-editing could give people like Watts and Ziegler more chances at a future family and help couples in extremely rare situations where every embryo would inherit a disease-causing mutation. However, the risks of gene-edited embryos are significant, and rigorous assessment of embryos in the lab before moving to trials in nonhuman primates is necessary to ensure safety.

Conclusion

Despite the risks and uncertainties, Cathy Tie argues that gene-edited embryos are a moral imperative. The future of gene-edited embryos will depend on rigorous assessment of embryos in the lab before moving to trials in nonhuman primates and addressing the legal and funding barriers that stand in the way of developing it for use in US clinics.