logo
Post readers react to elite's aim to create ‘super-babies'

Post readers react to elite's aim to create ‘super-babies'

Washington Post4 days ago
Technology Post readers react to elite's aim to create 'super-babies'
'I'm torn,' one reader said. 'Having a child which would never develop a terrible disease ... would be wonderful. However, a little like playing god.'
(Camille Cohen/For The Washington Post)
By Michael Blackmon
and Alexandra Pannoni
July 19, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. EDT
Just now
1 min
Post reporters Elizabeth Dwoskin and Yeganeh Torbati published a must-read article detailing how Silicon Valley elites, including Elon Musk, are using novel gene technology to produce 'super-babies.'
The article set off a lively discussion in the comments section, where readers of various ages and perspectives sounded off.
Eager to hear more, we published a callout asking readers how far they would go to ensure a healthy baby and added a similar query to the prompt of the original article. We received more than a thousand responses.
Here are some of the best reader reactions, which have been lightly edited for length and clarity and are printed with permission.
Jessica Orlando,
37
Los Angeles
' I am coming at this question from a different perspective, having gone through IVF to combat infertility, and we now have an amazing son who is 19 months old. Our journey was different from many in that we went through four rounds of egg retrievals and embryo selections, but none made our doctor's cut for transplantation based on genetic testing given that the ones that made it each had what were considered genetic abnormalities. I personally reached my end point of doing more retrievals so we decided to transfer two abnormal embryos, asking our doctor to use the best quality that were available, and one of them grew into our son. He's wonderful and perfect in our eyes — no health issues or abnormalities and has an amazing personality and disposition. If we had followed our doctor's advice, he wouldn't exist today. '
Maggie Cooper,
43
Arlington, Virginia
' I am a carrier for cystic fibrosis (and have a mild form of the disease that presents in my lungs/sinuses), so my husband did genetic testing to see if he also was a carrier. While CF is not quite the early death sentence it used to be, it was not something we felt comfortable knowingly passing to a child. Thankfully he was not a carrier. Nine years ago, while I was pregnant with our first daughter, my husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 oligodendroglioma — a rare brain cancer. He had brain surgery and underwent radiation and chemo and, while there is no remission for this type of cancer, he has had no recurrence. He was adamant that we not have another child until his doctors could determine if his cancer was hereditary. After participating in natural history studies at NIH for many years, his doctors felt very confident that his cancer was not linked to genetics. We had our second daughter (via IVF) in summer 2023. '
Brenda Feeney,
79
Leesburg, Virginia
' I'm torn. Having a child which would never develop a terrible disease (Parkinson's, MS, etc.) would be wonderful. However, a little like playing god. Only the wealthy will be able to do this, so is their gene pool better than the rest of our? Most of the wealthy individuals we must endure today are cruel, vile and inhumane. Do we want more of these people? '
Paul Ojanen,
61
Duluth, Minnesota
' If you narrow selection over time, no matter what, you select for other unknown traits. As usual they are applying their very narrow field ... algorithms and computability ... to a process that needs randomness for long-term success. Eventually they'll succeed in what they want, a 'purebred' lineage, but with all types of unforeseen problems, just like purebred dogs. '
(Camille Cohen/For The Washington Post)
Jann Becker,
70
St. Louis
' We chose to adopt in part because I have bipolar disorder and substance abuse, both of which run in my father's family, that I didn't wish to pass on. Choosing to bear only the embryo(s) without a known problem is, to me, the most ethical choice for people who know there's a hereditary disease in their family that would seriously impact a future child's life. If all the women in a given generation used that process for a disease like, say, Huntington's, could be eliminated for that family — but that means all of those women would need to accept their own test results and undergo an invasive medical procedure before becoming pregnant. '
Anca Vlasopolos,
76
Centerville, Massachusetts
' These extraordinarily ignorant people know nothing about genetics and the bell curve. Geniuses do not have genius children. People on the lower IQ scale may have a very intelligent child. But the white-supremacy myth driving these attempts is merely what it is=racism. '
Justin Wilson,
36
Silver Spring, Maryland
' I love it! Knew the idea/process would eventually become a thing. It's concerning that so many of you think this is bad. Is it just envy? Irrational fear of technology? Something that could lead to a healthier population is undeniably a good thing in my book. '
Judy Pelowski,
66
Red Oak, Texas
' At my age, I'm not having any babies. However, I believe there's something to be said for natural selection. They've said for years that mongrel dogs are healthier than purebreds. … Are you really going to eliminate anyone who doesn't have a high enough intelligence level or might one day die? What if, during their lifespan, the low-intelligence individual can see things others can't or has strength the others don't have and saves someone? What if the unhealthy child is a genius? Who's going to do all the work that the designer babies can't do? Testing for terrible deformities or diseases that would not allow the child to make it more than a short time after birth, and only in a very pained way, yes. Testing that saves a person a life of pain, yes. Vanity testing? Are you sure you want to go that way? '
Chris Strohbeck,
67
Reston, Virginia
' I find it ironic that these so-called risk takers are so obsessed with eliminating any and all risk, whether perceived or not, whether scientifically supported or not. I am not in their age cohort, but it occurs to me that one of the most concerning aspects of advanced technology (AI topping the list) accelerated by young adults is that these entrepreneurs don't have enough perspective. It's not always true that age comes with wisdom, but time spent living a life does broaden your experience base, sharpen your decision-making, and develop your moral thinking. '
Francesca A.,
78
Oakland, California
' I became pregnant in 1986 after six years of trying various methods because of infertility. Because of my infertility, I was advised to wait and have an amnio rather than have a chorionic villus sampler test due to the risk of aborting the fetus in the latter test. Well, it turned out that my amniocentesis revealed our baby had the Trisomy 18 defect. Would pre-pregnancy genetic testing have indicated this as a possible risk? Obviously, in our case, finances would've been a factor, but I would never want to have to go through a late-term therapeutic abortion at almost 7 months again. '
Mary Redmond,
62
Philadelphia
' Prospective parents are 'rolling the dice,' like it or not. That's axiomatic from a genuinely scientific (Darwinian) perspective. These experts are con artists who add to the uncertainty. An old-fashioned fortune teller or astrologer might provide more 'value.' '
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

HealthStream to Host Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call
HealthStream to Host Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call

Yahoo

time28 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

HealthStream to Host Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HealthStream, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSTM), a leading healthcare technology platform company for workforce solutions, announced today that it will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The Company's financial results for the second quarter 2025 ended June 30, 2025 will be released after the routine time for the close of the market on Monday, August 4, 2025. HealthStream's second quarter 2025 earnings conference call will begin at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Participants may access the conference call live via webcast using this LINK. To participate via telephone, please register in advance using this LINK. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive a one-time confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number along with a unique passcode and registrant ID that can be used to access the call. All participants are instructed to dial-in 15 minutes prior to the start time. A replay of the conference call and webcast will be archived on the Company's website for at least 30 days. About HealthStream HealthStream (Nasdaq: HSTM) is the healthcare industry's largest ecosystem of platform-delivered workforce solutions that empowers healthcare professionals to do what they do best: deliver excellence in patient care. For more information, visit or call 615-301-3100. This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties regarding HealthStream. This information has been included in reliance on the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. These forward-looking statements are based on a variety of assumptions that may not be realized, and which are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including that the anticipated financial and strategic benefits of the acquisition may not be realized, as well as risks and uncertainties referenced from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. View source version on Contacts Mollie Condra, Investor Relations &CommunicationsHealthStream(615)-

AstraZeneca announces $50 billion investment in U.S. as Trump's tariffs loom
AstraZeneca announces $50 billion investment in U.S. as Trump's tariffs loom

Fast Company

time29 minutes ago

  • Fast Company

AstraZeneca announces $50 billion investment in U.S. as Trump's tariffs loom

AstraZeneca plans to spend $50 billion to expand manufacturing and research capabilities in the U.S. by 2030, it said on Monday, the latest big investment by a pharmaceutical company reacting to President Donald Trump's tariff policy. The investment will fund a new drug manufacturing facility in Virginia and expand research and development (R&D) and cell therapy manufacturing in Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana and Texas, it said in a statement. It will also upgrade the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker's U.S. clinical trial supply network and support ongoing investment in novel medicines. On Monday, AstraZeneca said the expansion supports its ambition to reach $80 billion in annual revenue by 2030, with half coming from the U.S. The U.S. accounted for more than 40% of AstraZeneca's annual revenue in 2024, and the company had been prioritising the market — the world's largest, worth $635 billion — before Trump's return to office. The move to scale up its U.S. footprint is the latest by a drugmaker as Trump threatens to impose import tariffs on the industry and seeks to boost domestic manufacturing. The sector has historically been spared from trade disputes. Trump has called on pharma companies to make more of the medicines they sell in the U.S. within the country, rather than importing active ingredients or finished medicines. He is also pushing for prices in the U.S. to fall to what other countries pay. CEO Pascal Soriot announced the plans in Washington, saying he believes that drug prices need to rise elsewhere and 'equalize' with other countries effectively contributing more to research and development costs. 'The United States cannot build or carry the cost of R&D for the entire world,' he said. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's department is leading a probe into pharmaceutical imports that could pave the way for new tariffs. 'For decades Americans have been reliant on foreign supply of key pharmaceutical products. President Trump and our nation's new tariff policies are focused on ending this structural weakness,' said Lutnick in a statement issued by AstraZeneca. While Trump has repeatedly threatened tariffs on the sector, he signalled earlier this month that companies would be given a year to 18 months to 'get their act together' before any levies take effect. The company said that the timing and location of the announcement was linked to the U.S. policy environment, though some of the spending would have occurred regardless so that the infrastructure for future medicines was in place. The pledge is in addition to the $3.5 billion in investments the company announced in November 2024, the statement said. PLEDGES The $50 billion pledge matches the commitment announced by Swiss rival Roche in April and follows new spending plans unveiled this year by Eli Lilly & Co, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and Sanofi. Also present at the announcement was Virginia State Governor Glenn Youngkin, a vocal Trump ally who has defended the administration's tariff policies. The new Virginia facility — the company's largest single manufacturing investment — will produce active ingredients for AstraZeneca's experimental weight-loss medicines, including its oral GLP-1 candidate and an oral PCSK9 inhibitor for cholesterol management, it said. The company said the investment could create tens of thousands of new jobs, but declined to give specifics. It employs about 18,000 people in the U.S. and has a global workforce of about 90,000. In January it scrapped plans to invest 450 million pounds ($607.1 million) in its vaccine manufacturing plant in northern England, citing a cut in government support. Earlier this month, The Times reported the company was considering moving its stock market listing from London, where it is the exchange's most valuable company worth 159 billion pounds, to the U.S. The company declined to comment.

How to Use Your Own Body Language Before It Sabotages You
How to Use Your Own Body Language Before It Sabotages You

Entrepreneur

time29 minutes ago

  • Entrepreneur

How to Use Your Own Body Language Before It Sabotages You

When individuals begin paying attention to their nonverbal cues — not just those of others — they gain insight into what they're feeling and why. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. I've seen body language used to close deals, lead teams and command a room. There's no denying it's a powerful tool for influencing others. But its most valuable impact is internal. When individuals begin paying attention to their own nonverbal cues — not just those of others — they gain insight into what they're feeling, how they're responding, and why. I've watched this shift to self-awareness transform the way leaders and executives lead, communicate and connect. Furthermore, self-awareness doesn't just improve communication — it builds emotional intelligence. In this article, we'll explore how tuning into your own body language can sharpen your emotional intelligence from the inside out. And surprisingly, it often begins in the body, not the mind. Related: Why Emotional Intelligence Is the Key to High-Impact Leadership Self-awareness begins in the body One of the cornerstones of emotional intelligence is self-awareness. You can't be emotionally intelligent without a clear understanding of your own internal state and how it's shaping your behavior. The body holds a wealth of wisdom when it comes to understanding our emotional landscape. Most of us move through our day without consciously noticing our posture, gestures, or expressions. But those nonverbal cues are constantly broadcasting how we feel — whether we realize it or not. The more attuned you are to your own physical signals, the more insight you gain into your emotional state — and the more intentionally you can choose how to respond. Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success. Learning to observe without judgment Learning to be self-observant — but not self-conscious — is a skill that can completely transform the way you understand yourself and communicate with others. Small, often unnoticed behaviors can reveal a lot about your internal state and the impression you're giving off at the moment. For example, how are you sitting? Are your arms crossed? Are your fists clenched? These subtle, nonverbal "tells" can offer a window into what you're feeling. Let's say I'm clenching my jaw or baring my teeth slightly while talking to someone. What message is that sending? And more importantly, why am I doing it? Am I feeling relaxed? Or is there a chance I'm frustrated, stressed, or even angry? Even something as simple as your hands can be telling. When people clench their hands, it often signals self-restraint — an effort to contain frustration or anger. On the other hand, open palms or extended fingers are more likely to reflect positive emotions like ease, confidence, or even joy. These signals matter because they often reflect emotions we haven't consciously acknowledged. We may not feel angry or stressed until we notice what our body is doing — and that awareness can be a game-changer. Personally, I find these micro-observations incredibly helpful, especially in meetings, social gatherings, or one-on-one conversations. It's in these spaces that small, unconscious behaviors often speak the loudest. From self-awareness to self-regulation Noticing is only the first step. It's regulation that turns self-awareness into emotional intelligence. For example, once you notice you're holding tension, you can take a breath and soften. You may ask yourself, "What's really going on here?" and choose your next move from a more grounded place. Let's say you catch yourself clenching your fists in a tough conversation. That's useful information — it tells you something is off. You can pause, uncross your arms, relax your hands, and reset your tone. Emotional intelligence isn't just about physical posture. It's about gaining the space to respond, rather than react. And for leaders, that's where true influence will begin. Related: Mastering thoughts and feelings for well-being Recognizing patterns One of the most powerful benefits of observing your own body language is that it reveals patterns. It's not just about catching a clenched jaw in a single meeting; it's about noticing that you always tense up before presenting or that you tend to cross your arms when someone challenges your opinion. These repeated signals are like emotional breadcrumbs, leading you to the beliefs, triggers, or stressors that live under the surface. This kind of pattern recognition builds emotional resilience. It helps you identify what consistently throws you off balance and gives you a clearer path to responding more skillfully in future moments. Start small. Choose one meeting, one conversation or one stressful moment this week to observe yourself more closely. How are you standing? Where are your hands? What is your breathing doing? These micro-observations, practiced regularly, create a foundation for greater clarity, confidence and emotional control. The power of tuning in As a society, we often talk about the importance of "reading the room." However, the most emotionally intelligent leaders I've worked with do something even more powerful: they read themselves first. True leaders understand that communication doesn't begin with words — it begins with emotional awareness. And by tuning into their bodies, they gain insight not only into how they're showing up, but why. Remember, emotional intelligence isn't just about understanding other people. It's about knowing yourself well enough to respond with intention and lead with lasting impact. Related: How to Build a Culture of Emotional Intelligence

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store