Summary

  • Brian Armstrong, the CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, is looking to found a US start-up focused on gene-editing human embryos.
  • The entrepreneur posted on social media that he was seeking gene-editing scientists and bioinformatics specialists to form a founding team for an “embryo editing” effort.
  • embryo editing aims to produce humans with genes tailored by design and is an idea that has been stigmatised and underfunded.
  • Armstrong, who is worth an estimated $10bn, has already ventured into far-out bioscience fields, co-founding New Limit, a life extension venture that raises money to explore techniques for reprogramming old cells into an embryonic-like state.
  • Scientists working in the field of embryo editing have called for greater transparency from entrepreneurs, and have welcomed the opportunity for increased funding.

By Antonio Regalado

Original Article