Source of this article and featured image is Wired Science. Description and key fact are generated by Codevision AI system.

A new startup, Manhattan Genomics, is exploring the potential of human embryo editing, following the controversial case of He Jiankui in 2018. The company plans to begin with mouse and monkey studies before considering human trials, which would face significant regulatory hurdles in the US. The initiative is driven by the belief that embryo editing could help IVF patients with few embryos affected by single-gene diseases, especially older patients. However, the project has sparked ethical concerns and questions about its practical applications. This article provides an in-depth look at the company’s vision, challenges, and the broader debate around human genome editing.

Key facts

  • Manhattan Genomics aims to explore human embryo editing, following the 2018 case of He Jiankui.
  • The company plans to start with mouse and monkey studies before considering human trials.
  • Embryo editing could potentially help IVF patients with few embryos affected by single-gene diseases.
  • The project has raised ethical concerns and questions about its practical applications.
  • A 10-year moratorium on heritable gene editing has been called for by major scientific organizations.
See article on Wired Science