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A Silicon Valley-based company called Preventive, supported by Sam Altman from OpenAI and Brian Armstrong from Coinbase, is conducting research that some worry might result in the creation of a genetically modified baby — an action that is illegal under U.S. law and prohibited in most nations, according to a report.

The company stated its objective is to eliminate hereditary diseases by modifying human embryos prior to birth, a statement that has sparked intense discussion regarding safety, ethics, and the concern of designer children, as reported.Wall Street Journal.

Preventive, established earlier this year by Lucas Harrington, a gene-editing scientist, has secured $30 million in funding and established its base in San Francisco, where it is carrying out research into altering embryos to stop inherited illnesses.

The organization states that its goal is to demonstrate that the technology can be secured and made open for inspection prior to any effort to produce a child.

Several of the company’s initial backers include Altman and Armstrong, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Oliver Mulherin, the spouse of Altman, stated that he managed their financial commitment, referring to it as a move to assist families in preventing genetic diseases.

Armstrong, who has openly supported embryo modification, stated that he was “excited” to endorse Preventive, claiming it is much simpler to fix a genetic issue in an embryo rather than address the illness later in life.

However, federal legislation prevents the Food and Drug Administration from reviewing proposals for human trials that involve genetically modified embryos intended to initiate pregnancies.

Harrington, who obtained his PhD under CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna, refuted claims that Preventive is planning to implant a modified embryo or collaborating with a couple for this purpose.

He mentioned that the company’s attention is on preclinical studies to determine if editing embryos can be accomplished safely.

“We are not attempting to speed things up,” Harrington said to the Journal.

We are dedicated to openness in our studies and intend to release our results, regardless of whether they are favorable or unfavorable.

Individuals acquainted with Preventive’s activities informed the Journal that the company had considered overseas locations, such as the United Arab Emirates, where embryo modification could potentially be allowed.

Harrington mentioned that considering work outside the US was due to regulatory limitations, not to avoid supervision.

The firm has hired consultants from the fields of reproductive medicine and genetics.

The website of Preventive states that it is a public-benefit corporation, indicating that it is legally allowed to focus on social welfare in addition to generating profits.

Preventive, it aims to eliminate genetic disorders by modifying human embryos prior to birth.

Its constitution outlines that objective as the “responsible development of genome editing techniques used prior to birth for the benefit of humankind.”

The initiative reflects the 2018 controversy involving He Jiankui, a Chinese researcher, who produced the first gene-modified infants, two twins whose embryos were modified to be resistant to HIV.

He spent three years in jail due to unauthorized medical activities.

Experts state that it is still uncertain how the modifications influenced the children, who have not been disclosed to the public.