Sen. Cornyn sounds the alarms about potential for startup firm to make gene-edited designer babies
Texas Sen. John Cornyn issued a warning that a biotech start‑up, which has secured roughly $30 million to investigate embryonic diseases, is moving ahead with gene‑editing techniques on human embryos.
Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, called on the Department of Health and Human Services to confirm that Preventive PBC— a San Francisco‑based company backed by leading tech investors—is complying with all federal rules governing CRISPR‑style gene edits.
In a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the senator wrote, “All parents want their children to live the healthiest lives possible, but advancing this type of technology would come with grave consequences, intentional or not.” He added, “Some of life’s questions must be left up to our Creator, not Silicon Valley elites.”
A recent Wall Street Journal profile revealed that while genetically altering babies is illegal, Preventive claims its focus is on eradicating inherited disorders before birth. The company has attracted funding from tech titans such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong.
Its mission statement emphasizes preventing “devastating genetic conditions for future children.” Proponents argue that contemporary medicine often cannot cure late‑stage diseases and that “it is far easier to correct a smaller number of cells before disease progression.”
Opponents of the technology claim that life begins at conception, rendering the embryo a human at its earliest stage. Preventive’s research is grounded in CRISPR, a system that allows scientists to make precise edits to DNA in living cells.
Cornyn, who is navigating a tough GOP primary battle himself, expressed concern that embryo editing could usher in a new era of eugenics. He cautioned, “While some will argue that the goal of genetically editing embryos is only to prevent genetic diseases in babies before they are even born, we must also acknowledge the real risk that such a technology will lead to ‘designer children.’” He went on, “Scientific advancement cannot devolve into evil and immoral eugenic practices. Efforts to improve embryos will also lead to the impulse to destroy embryos, human life, who do not possess the full measure of these preferred traits.”
The senator also highlighted that Congress has historically barred federal research funds from projects that genetically alter human embryos and that the Food and Drug Administration “cannot review applications for human trials if they involve embryo editing.”
In response to Cornyn’s letter and the concerns raised, Lucas Harrington, co‑founder of Preventive, told The Post that the company is not engaged with any human‑patient applications. “We are in compliance with all applicable regulations,” Harrington said. “We believe gene correction, if demonstrated to be safe, should be focused on preventing severe disease.” The firm’s website stresses that it will not bring gene‑editing technology into clinical use until it has been fully vetted for safety and affirms, “We will not compromise safety standards to accelerate timelines.”
Inside documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal suggest that Preventive is exploring jurisdictions where embryo editing is legally permissible, such as the United Arab Emirates.
To date, there have been only three children reportedly born from edited embryos, all engineered by Chinese scientist He Jiankui, who was later imprisoned for violating the law. Their identities remain unknown.
Cornyn demanded that HHS confirm the department is ensuring “companies in this field are fully complying with the law” and requested a detailed account of the steps taken to enforce this compliance. The Post has reached out to HHS for a response.
In his letter, the senator also highlighted the potential benefits of gene‑therapy technologies for treating severe conditions such as sickle cell disease, neuromuscular disorders, and certain cancers, stressing that “these types of therapies must be differentiated from embryonic gene editing.”
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