Two of the most powerful technologies we've ever known—CRISPR human embryo editing and self-improving A.I.—are getting actualized, and carry known and unforeseen risks
https://t.co/yQY4KqCIhy
https://t.co/08ZSvxZ07k @AnthropicAI
Genetic engineering in human embryos is here.
Today, in a world first, @Columbia and @nucleusgenomics announce high-efficiency editing of human embryos.
The study, led by Dr. Dieter Egli's lab at Columbia University, with Nucleus Genomics’ Dr. Nathan Treff as a senior co-author, achieved editing efficiencies of up to 100% at targeted loci. Simultaneously, we showed no detectable editing-induced chromosomal abnormalities and low off-target activity.
In other words, this is the closest we've come to practical, high-precision gene editing in human embryos.
We are also excited to announce we will be funding and participating in the next phase of this research, alongside Columbia and Dr. Egli.
We see ourselves as a natural pathway for eventually bringing technologies like this into clinical care as part of a broader genetics platform — a full "Genetic Optimization" stack.
@nytimes broke the news in what is a historic moment for Genetic Optimization. See story in thread.
One of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen: a standing ovation for the full Daraxonrasib results
I feel inspired and energised, to put it mildly — we have a targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer now, and nothing is undruggable anymore
Nucleus is now available to patients at @SCRCivf, one of the most trusted fertility networks in California.
For decades, SCRC has helped thousands navigate one of the most emotional and important journeys of their lives: building a family.
We’re proud to partner with @DrMarkSurrey, @DrCAlexanderFer, and the entire SCRC team to bring more advanced genetic insight into IVF care.
Genetic Optimization is having its moment. I'm so happy to see this amazing tech reach so many people. Its gone through a transformation that many people are now just starting to realize. Congrats to Kian and team!
https://t.co/SKTGh8lGwW
From a technical POV this is obviously amazing, but - maybe an unpopular opinion - what do you do with those results?
Let’s say you find a mutation, which is associated with an increased Alzheimer’s disease risk. Do you go get an MRI every time you can’t find your keys?
It’s technically super impressive, but what do we actually achieve with a majority of the data, that we generate by doing this on a high scale?
@KianSadeghi5 Personally had a similar encounter. Didn’t feel at my prime, thought the data would be useful to have, & unexpectedly got flagged for a repeat-expansion. Most labs wouldn’t even report it, but Nucleus one-shotted it. With drugs now in trials, that literally increased my lifespan.
I'm lucky enough to have a great doctor and access to excellent Bay Area medical care. I've taken lots of standard screening tests over the years and have tried lots of "health tech" devices and tools.
With all this said, by far the most useful preventative medical advice that I've ever received has come from unleashing coding agents on my genome, having them investigate my specific mutations, and having them recommend specific follow-on tests and treatments.
Population averages are population averages, but we ourselves are not averages. For example, it turns out that I probably have a 30x(!) higher-than-average predisposition to melanoma. Fortunately, there are both specific supplements that help counteract the particular mutations I have, and of course I can significantly dial up my screening frequency. So, this is very useful to know.
I don't know exactly how much the analysis cost, but probably less than $100. Sequencing my genome cost a few hundred dollars.
(One often sees papers and articles claiming that models aren't very good at medical reasoning. These analyses are usually based on employing several-year-old models, which is a kind of ludicrous malpractice. It is true that you still have to carefully monitor the agents' reasoning, and they do on occasion jump to conclusions or skip steps, requiring some nudging and re-steering. But, overall, they are almost literally infinitely better for this kind of work than what one can otherwise obtain today.)
There are still lots of questions about how this will diffuse and get adopted, but it seems very clear that medical practice is about to improve enormously. Exciting times!
Kian Sadeghi, CEO of Nucleus Genomics, wants to help parents design their own babies, from height to IQ to personality traits. What happens to humanity when we have the power to tamper with life’s formula?
0:00 What Is IVF?
9:03 Is Forced Sterilization Ethically Different From Selective Breeding?
12:35 Is Schizophrenia Genetic?
16:51 The Ethics of Choosing Your Child’s Sex
22:11 What God Does Sadeghi Believe In?
30:16 Who Creates Life?
33:38 Do We Have the Right to Take Life?
37:44 How Would an Embryo Not Have a Soul?
49:21 The Nazi Eugenicists
54:57 The Effect of Giving Parents Genetic Choice for Their Child
59:24 Why Did India Ban Sex-Selective Abortions?
1:02:14 Is There a Downside to Playing God?
1:15:37 The Blessing of Having Children Naturally
1:21:51 Should There Be Consequences for Thoughtless Use of Technology?
1:29:16 Divine Rules and the Limits of Choice
NEWS: Anthropic's new model, Claude Mythos, is so powerful that it is not releasing it to the public.
Instead, it is starting a 40-company coalition, Project Glasswing, to allow cybersecurity defenders a head start in locking down critical software.
https://t.co/1ehWqYi4iy