News Summary

Two biotech startups, Manhattan Genomics and Bootstrap Bio, have recently shut down due to financial constraints and internal conflicts. Manhattan Genomics, based in New York, aimed to edit human embryos to prevent serious diseases but faced cofounder disagreements and governance issues. Its cofounder, Cathy Tie, has since formed a new company, Origin Genomics. Bootstrap Bio, from California, cited a lack of investor interest despite promising lab results. The company also dealt with legal troubles when its chief science officer was charged with attempted sex trafficking. Both companies’ closures highlight the ethical and financial challenges in pursuing germline editing, a controversial technology that could lead to gene-edited babies. This technology remains prohibited in the US and many other countries due to safety concerns and the potential for misuse.