WSJ Tech News Briefing | "The Secret Plan to Create Genetically Engineered Babies"
Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Peter Ciampelli
Guest: Katherine Long, WSJ Reporter
Episode Overview
This episode investigates the clandestine ambitions of a Silicon Valley startup, Preventive, which aims to create genetically engineered babies—a practice banned in the US and most countries due to profound ethical and safety issues. Backed by tech industry figures including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong, Preventive is navigating legal and moral gray zones while advancing gene editing technology. The episode contextualizes the scientific, ethical, and societal debates surrounding embryo editing and explores the growing interest of technology elites in this frontier.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Controversy Around Embryo Editing
- Editing embryos to produce genetically modified babies is currently banned in the US and numerous countries, with leading scientists calling for a global moratorium until safety and ethical questions are resolved.
- Gene editing holds the promise of eradicating heritable diseases but carries the risk of unintended, inheritable mistakes.
Notable Quote
"Editing genes in embryos for the purposes of creating a genetically modified baby is banned in the US, in many countries, and it raises ethical and safety concerns, with scientists calling for a global moratorium..."
— Peter Ciampelli (06:23)
2. Preventive: The Secretive Startup
- Preventive is a small San Francisco startup, backed by high-profile Silicon Valley investors such as Sam Altman and Brian Armstrong.
- The company claims its focus is on preclinical safety research but, per reporting, has privately identified at least one couple interested in participating in their research.
- Preventive insists on operating transparently and pledges not to proceed to human trials until safety is assured.
Notable Quote
"Preventive says that they are moving transparently. They don't plan to advance to human trials until they've proven this technology is safe to use."
— Katherine Long (08:10)
3. Scientific & Ethical Concerns
- Safety: Even advanced gene editing technologies can introduce mistakes; errors made at the embryonic level can be passed down genetically.
- Ethics: Questions linger whether embryo editing is necessary, or whether it flirts with eugenics. The practice ignites debate on whether alternative solutions can be pursued.
- Global Perspective: Prominent biotech companies and patient advocates have called for a "year moratorium" on embryo editing as recently as May.
Notable Quote
"Every single time we edit genes, there's still a possibility that we might make a mistake. And if you're editing an embryo, that mistake could be passed down through the generations. So there's a safety concern there. There's also ethical concerns."
— Katherine Long (07:18)
4. The Precedent: He Jiankui's Experiment
- In 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui created the world’s first genetically modified babies to resist HIV, sparking global outrage.
- He was sentenced to three years in prison and ostracized from the scientific community.
- Recent reports suggest that He Jiankui is attempting to restart embryo editing ventures, possibly in the US or elsewhere.
Notable Quote
"That set off a firestorm of criticism. He was effectively ostracized from the scientific community, and he was sentenced to three years in prison in China for the illegal practice of medicine."
— Katherine Long (08:54)
5. Silicon Valley’s Interest & Concerns
- Major worry: Tech leaders’ culture of ‘move fast and break things’, when applied to biology, frightens scientists—the consequences in gene editing could be irreversible and far-reaching.
- The involvement of tech elites signals an acceleration in experimental approaches and raises apprehensions about oversight, societal impact, and values.
Notable Quote
"The concern... is that tech elites who have been known to apply, move fast and break things rationale to technology could now be working in a similar way when it comes to gene editing. And that's a prospect that frightens a lot of scientists in this space."
— Katherine Long (09:33)
6. The Uncertain Future
- The field is nascent and highly monitored; leading figures like Nobel-winner Jennifer Doudna emphasize close scrutiny on how companies like Preventive proceed.
- Regulatory, societal, and scientific scrutiny will shape gene editing’s trajectory.
Notable Quote
"The field will be watching to see whether Preventive and companies like it will be moving forward safely."
— Katherine Long (09:58)
Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)
- (06:57) "Preventive is a small company. It's backed by Sam Altman's family office as well as the Coinbase founder and CEO Brian Armstrong..."
— Katherine Long - (07:18) "Gene editing technology is advancing rapidly. Nevertheless, every single time we edit genes, there's still a possibility that we might make a mistake."
— Katherine Long - (08:54) "In 2018, a Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, announced that he had modified three embryos to make the children who would be born from them resistant to hiv. That set off a firestorm of criticism."
— Katherine Long - (09:33) "The concern... is that tech elites who have been known to apply, move fast and break things rationale to technology could now be working in a similar way when it comes to gene editing."
— Katherine Long - (09:58) "The field will be watching to see whether preventive and companies like it will be moving forward safely."
— Katherine Long
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 06:23 — Introduction to the legal, ethical, and scientific landscape of embryo editing.
- 06:57 — Background and inside information about Preventive and its major backers.
- 07:12 — Explanation of the scientific and safety concerns.
- 08:03 — Preventive’s stance on safety and ethics.
- 08:41 — He Jiankui’s precedent and the global response.
- 09:27 — Analysis of Silicon Valley’s entrance into gene editing.
- 09:58 — The broader future and what leading scientists are watching for.
Episode Tone
The conversation is measured but urgent, with both host and reporter maintaining a journalistic, investigative tone. The episode balances technical detail with accessibility, underscoring both the promise and peril of gene editing and the responsibilities that come as the field transitions from science fiction to potential reality.
For listeners or readers new to the topic, this episode is an essential primer on the debate over genetically engineered babies, blending scientific context, ethical challenges, and the major players shaping the future of human reproduction technology.