Seven years after the 2018 revelation of the first gene-edited babies, biotech startup Manhattan Genomics is seeking to edit human embryos to create disease-free children. The initiative draws on CRISPR technology previously used by Chinese scientist He Jiankui. This development reignites debates in the field of genetics.
In 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui shocked the world by announcing the creation of the first gene-edited babies. He used CRISPR to tweak the genes of three human embryos, aiming to make them immune to HIV, and subsequently used those embryos to initiate pregnancies.
Now, in 2025, Manhattan Genomics, a new biotech startup, is reviving the concept of editing human embryos. The company's goal is to produce disease-free children through genetic modifications. This approach builds on the CRISPR method that gained notoriety with He Jiankui's experiment.
The startup's efforts come amid ongoing ethical and scientific discussions in biotechnology. While the 2018 case led to global condemnation and He Jiankui's imprisonment, proponents argue that embryo editing could prevent hereditary diseases. Manhattan Genomics' initiative highlights the persistent interest in genetic interventions for health improvements.
No specific details on the startup's current projects or timelines were provided, but it underscores the evolving landscape of gene editing seven years after the initial controversy.