‘Designer baby’ startup: Controversal germline editing company Bootstrap Bio raising money for germline gene editing launch

A California-startup focused on genetically editing human embryos — a step toward creating so-called designer babies — is raising money as many of Silicon Valley’s ultra-rich turn their attention to one of the most controversial technologies in medicine.

Bootstrap Bio…is working on technology to change the DNA in an embryo…Altering those cells to make genetically modified children is intended to eliminate inherited diseases or enhance desirable traits, which can be passed on to future generations.

Scientists and ethicists said the technology known as “germline editing” is unproven and potentially dangerous. 

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“When you’re messing with the safety of babies, you want to be pretty confident,” said Hank Greely, a Stanford University law professor and bioethics expert. “We have no idea what would happen to the babies who are edited.”

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Bootstrap Bio’s future business plans…included a plan to begin human trials in 2026 or 2027 in Honduras, a place where the company could potentially avoid US regulations.

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