Cathy Tie's mission to genetically modify babies
7 hours ago
- #Gene Editing Ethics
- #Biotech Entrepreneurship
- #Reproductive Technology
- Cathy Tie, a Canadian serial entrepreneur, celebrated her 30th birthday with a piano performance at Carnegie Hall, hiring the venue for a party attended mostly by strangers.
- She has launched multiple biotech startups, moved frequently between cities, and was briefly married to He Jiankui, the scientist imprisoned for creating the world's first gene-edited babies.
- Tie's current venture, Origin Genomics, aims to edit embryos to prevent severe genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis, advocating for open, regulated research despite germline editing being banned in many countries.
- She argues that gene editing is safer now due to technological advances, with careful sequencing to avoid unintended changes, and claims embryo editing is morally preferable to discarding affected embryos.
- Tie highlights the geopolitical and competitive aspects of biotech, noting investments by figures like Sam Altman and referencing China's advancements, while drawing parallels to the Manhattan Project.
- Despite her commitment to transparency, Tie keeps many details secret, such as her team, investors, and lab location, and has faced setbacks, including a previous startup shutdown due to co-founder issues.
- She defends the high cost of future treatments, suggesting initial expenses are typical for new technologies, and emphasizes public engagement to shape ethical norms.
- Tie's past includes biohacking pets for designer traits, but she now focuses on human health, though she avoids discussing her relationship with He Jiankui and the ethical implications of his work.
- She believes regulations should define 'severe' diseases, relying on patient advocacy, and sees gene editing as inevitable, comparing concerns to historical debates over IVF.
- In public debates, Tie engages with bioethicists, aiming to shift perceptions and gain acceptance, confident that demand and investment will drive legal changes in the field.