"Her latest venture, which announced some of its first key hires on 30 October, veers out of the mainstream. Tie, who has called herself Biotech Barbie, sometimes refers to her latest company as the Manhattan Project - the name used for the US effort to develop an atomic bomb in the 1940s - and now focuses her entrepreneurial ambitions on a controversial goal: altering the genome of human embryos to prevent genetic disorders."
"So far, neither company has revealed the details of its scientific plans, such as which diseases it will target, and which techniques it will use. Tie says Manhattan Genomics will conduct extensive research and safety testing before attempting to create gene-edited babies. Among the new employees announced this week are a bioethicist and two scientists with expertise in non-human primate reproductive biology - skills that would be needed for testing the safety of embryo editing."
Cathy Tie left university at 18 to found her first biotechnology company and launched several more over 11 years. Her newest company, Manhattan Genomics, targets altering the genomes of human embryos to prevent genetic disorders. The company announced key hires including a bioethicist and two scientists experienced in non-human primate reproductive biology, indicating intended safety and testing work. Manhattan Genomics plans extensive research and safety testing before attempting gene-edited births. Another firm, Preventive, also intends to explore embryo gene editing. Many scientists express worry about safety risks and ethical quandaries.
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