Brian Armstrong, the billionaire CEO of Coinbase, is setting his sights on a US startup that aims to push the boundaries of gene editing in human embryos. Announced on June 2, his plan involves teaming up with gene-editing scientists and bioinformatics specialists to build the first major commercial player in an area many consider controversial.
This move comes at a time when the legacy of embryo editing—especially after the stir caused by the first genetically edited children in China—remains a hot topic. Recent advancements in base editing, which tweaks a single DNA base with greater precision and less risk than previous methods, have caught the attention of experts. Dieter Egli from Columbia University notes that these improvements make the challenge far more manageable, opening up possibilities that were once out of reach.
Despite a long-standing stigma and strict regulatory hurdles in the US and elsewhere, Armstrong’s interest could spark fresh conversations about safety and research funding. Paula Amato, a fertility doctor and former president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, emphasises that robust investment is essential for pushing this research forward—even if it means addressing tough ethical questions about human enhancement.
Armstrong is no stranger to high-profile scientific ventures. With previous investments in life-extension and assisted reproduction projects, he is betting that a well-funded, transparent approach could turn caution into progress. His clear-eyed commitment might well steer embryo editing out of the shadows and into a framework that balances innovation with ethical responsibility.
