Biotech Barbie bets on openly editing embryos to prevent disease

Canadian entrepreneur Cathy Tie, nicknamed the “Biotech Barbie,” is pursuing openly regulated germline gene editing to prevent inherited diseases through Origin Genomics, after a controversial past with He Jiankui and a string of biotech ventures. She argues for regulator-approved, transparent research and says the field’s progress is inevitable, while critics warn about safety and the ethical implications for future generations. The piece frames her effort against a backdrop of private funding, a race among biotech startups, and the broader debate over embryo editing versus embryo selection.