A West Coast biotech entrepreneur has announced the establishment of a new public-benefit company, Preventive, with a funding of $30 million aimed at researching the safe creation of genetically edited babies. This initiative marks one of the largest known investments in the controversial field of gene editing.
The company, founded by gene-editing scientist Lucas Harrington, intends to focus on “heritable genome editing.” This process involves modifying the DNA of embryos to either correct harmful mutations or incorporate beneficial genes, with the ultimate goal of disease prevention. In his blog post detailing the venture, Harrington emphasized that Preventive will prioritize thorough research to determine whether such editing can be conducted safely and responsibly.
Despite the potential benefits, the creation of genetically modified humans is fraught with ethical concerns. The first scientist to conduct such an experiment in China faced imprisonment for three years, and many countries, including the United States, have made the practice illegal. Moreover, experts question the feasibility of these techniques as viable medical solutions. Nevertheless, advancements in gene-editing technology continue to stimulate interest among entrepreneurs eager to influence the future of humanity.
Harrington noted that if heritable genome editing proves to be safe, it could revolutionize health technologies. He estimates that the cost of editing an embryo could be around $5,000 and suggests that regulatory changes may occur in the future. Preventive is the third U.S. startup this year to pursue gene editing for babies, following Bootstrap Bio and Manhattan Genomics, both of which are still in their early stages.
Currently, these companies lack substantial staff and facilities, and they face skepticism from established gene-editing scientists. In an email, expert Fyodor Urnov from the University of California, Berkeley, expressed strong disapproval of such ventures, describing them as dangerous and misguided. He criticized the emergence of new companies in this field, saying that their efforts could result in significant harm.
Founded in May 2025 and incorporated in Delaware as Preventive Medicine PBC, the company is structured as a public-benefit corporation, prioritizing its mission to serve the public over generating profit. Harrington remarked that even if the research concludes that heritable genome editing cannot be safely performed, such findings would still hold value for the scientific community and society at large.
While Preventive has reached out to prominent figures in genome editing for endorsements, it has secured only one so far—from Paula Amato, a fertility doctor at Oregon Health Sciences University. Amato has advocated for embryo editing as a means to enhance the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The source of Preventive”s funding remains somewhat unclear. Harrington mentioned that the $30 million was raised from private investors who share a commitment to responsible research, but he did not disclose their identities, aside from SciFounders, a venture firm he co-manages with Matt Krisiloff, CEO of Conception, which seeks to create human eggs from stem cells.
The idea of gene-edited babies has garnered interest from individuals in the cryptocurrency sector. Notably, Brian Armstrong, founder of Coinbase, has hosted discussions on the technology, claiming that the timing is right for startups in this domain. Will Harborne, a crypto entrepreneur, expressed excitement about Preventive”s launch, asserting that if the technology is proven safe, its widespread adoption will be a societal obligation.
As the conversation around such innovations continues, it remains crucial for the scientific community to engage in discussions about the implications of gene editing, balancing enthusiasm for potential advancements with ethical considerations.
