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丨Highlight the key points

① High-tech fertility innovations are emerging in Silicon Valley that could help create super babies who are smarter, healthier and live longer.

② Musk and Neuralink executive Zilis allegedly used genetic screening technology to select the embryo of their third child.

③ Some Silicon Valley startups are developing artificial wombs and using stem cells to create human eggs.

④  Current reproductive technology is still immature and perfect babies do not exist yet, but the chances of healthy babies being born can be greatly increased.

Tencent Technology News According to foreign media reports, likeOpenAICEO Sam Altman, Silicon Valley angel investor Peter Thiel, andCryptocurrencyBillionaires like Brian Armstrong, chief executive of the exchange Coinbase, are fueling a boom in high-tech fertility startups, which are focusing on cutting-edge areas such as embryo screening, sperm freezing and even artificial wombs.

Many investors are not only the financiers behind the scenes, but also hope to become early customers. The smarter, healthier and longer-lived Silicon Valley super babies have arrived.

Is Musk's 12th child a Silicon Valley super baby?

When venture capitalist Jack Abraham and his wife Gabriella Massamillo first met, they made a special agreement: if they were ready to have children, they would use in vitro fertilization to avoid the tragedy of ovarian cancer caused by a rare mutation in the BRCA-1 gene in their family. As a carrier of the mutation, Abraham was determined to use technological intervention to ensure that his child's health would not be uncertain. He planned to genetically screen the embryos and implant them after careful selection.

Orchid, a San Francisco-based company that is pioneering genetic testing, is leading the innovation in this area. The company has attracted many high-profile investors, including Armstrong, Dylan Field, CEO of online design collaboration platform Figma, and Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of genetic technology company 23andMe.

Orchid provides customers with comprehensive embryo health screening services at a price of $2,500 per embryo, covering comprehensive analysis from single gene defects to complex polygenic risks (such as diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, etc.). Customers receive detailed whole genome embryo reports through a convenient online platform, and enjoy in-depth consultations with genetic experts before embryo transfer to ensure that they have a full understanding and preparation for the screening results.

Orchid's product marks a major leap forward in science: Traditionally, the coverage of embryonic DNA sequencing is less than 1%, while Orchid promises to achieve 99% high-precision sequencing with only 5 cells, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the health of each embryo. It is precisely based on his deep concern for personal genetics that Abraham invested in Orchid in 2023, and then when preparing for his fertility plan this year, he and his wife, Massamilo, sought help from Orchid. Of the 9 embryos they submitted, 4 were screened by Orchid and unfortunately carried BRCA mutations.

Orchid founder Noor Siddiqui

In the process, Orchid not only revealed genetic risks, but also provided them with information about the chromosomal integrity of the embryos and potential disease risks, such as chromosome deletions in one embryo and increased risk of atrial fibrillation in other embryos. Abraham said: "The detailed data provided by Orchid is like a navigator for the health of future children, which was unimaginable before the digital age."

The Abrahams are not alone. According to people familiar with the matter, Elon Musk and Shivon Zilis, an executive at his brain implant startup Neuralink, also chose Orchid's services to screen the embryos of their third child.

Sci-fi scenes in movies and TV are becoming reality

Abraham is just one of many investors and clients of Orchid. “Many of them have not yet started a family, but are looking ahead to the future and are eager to use the latest technology to not only optimize the reproductive experience, but also to ensure the health and well-being of their offspring,” said Noor Siddiqui, founder of Orchid.

Once upon a time, high-tech reproductive science existed only in the fantasies of science fiction novels - from the genetically modified super-powered villain Khan in "Star Trek", to the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood's millennium breeding plan in the "Dune" series, to the future society dominated by genetically modified humans depicted in the movie "Gattaca", all of them have inspired people's infinite imagination of the future.

Today, these once sci-fi ideas are gradually turning into reality, becoming a hot topic among Silicon Valley elites and attracting a continuous injection of huge amounts of capital. According to PitchBook data, from 2021 to 2023, the amount of financing in the field of reproductive technology has reached about US$400 million per year. Compared with ten years ago, it was rare to raise more than US$100 million.

Through the efforts of Orchid and its peers, super babies are already being born, though Siddiqi won’t reveal exact numbers. But Orchid’s expansion — to a larger facility — is a sure sign of its growing popularity, and a sign that the age of designer babies is here, not just the dawn of time.

Competition in fertility technology is even more intense, with some startups coming up with ideas more disruptive than Orchid’s, such as developing artificial wombs and using stem cell technology to grow human eggs.

Silicon Valley's elite, including Thiel, Altman, Vitalik Buterin and other heavyweights, have all turned their attention to fertility technology. Some of them are not only investors, but also potential customers of these services. Although the products or services of these startups may currently attract more affluent and technology-oriented customer groups, thus limiting the rapid expansion of the market breadth, investors do not seem to mind. They see the unique opportunity to be the first to adopt and the possibility of immediately embracing and utilizing these cutting-edge technologies.

The reason why these fertility technology startups are so popular among technology professionals is that they face the challenges of balancing their careers and families, as well as the health concerns that late childbearing may bring. "As women's status improves, they have more say in health management," observed Wojcicki, who has invested in not only Orchid, but also Gameto, a new treatment for reproductive aging, and Tmrw Life Sciences, an egg freezing innovation company (backed by Thiel).

For those who are keen on optimizing their lives through technology such as blood sugar monitoring, health tracking and personalized diet, it is a natural choice to include the reproductive process in the scope of technological upgrades. Masha Bucher, founder of Day One Ventures, is a practitioner of this concept. She firmly believes: "Optimization is everywhere, why should we set limits on such a major life issue as fertility? Children are not only the fruit of love, but also one of the most precious legacies we leave to the world."

However, the motivation for investors to get involved in this field goes far beyond the well-being of individual families. At the macro level, deep concerns about the decline in fertility rates in developed countries are also a driving force that cannot be ignored. This topic is frequently intertwined with controversial views put forward by Musk and others, and Siddiqi has also bluntly regarded the decline in fertility rates as "the biggest challenge to the survival of civilization."

The perfect baby doesn't exist yet?

At present, fertility technology start-ups have not yet realized the vision of comprehensive genetic engineering depicted in science fiction movies. Their core value lies in increasing the chances of having healthy babies rather than creating perfect babies, while also striving to create a safer and easier reproductive experience. George Church, a leading figure in the field of genomics, pointed out that there are many key factors driving innovation in fertility technology, among which the integration of artificial intelligence, the increasing abundance of molecular resources, and the significant reduction in the cost of DNA research are particularly critical. He emphasized that as costs continue to fall, "the returns we can get are increasing exponentially."

Musk and Zilis used Orchid's genetic screening service for their third child.

After graduating from Stanford University, Siddiqi chose to stay on as a lecturer for the "Frontiers in Reproductive Technology" course, which cleverly combines the latest advances in gene sequencing and fertility technology. One of its core topics is to explore "how to prevent birth defects in infants." This course invited guest experts from computer science and clinical backgrounds, and soon caused a sensation on the Stanford campus for its unusual theme. Coinbase founder Armstrong accidentally learned about this course on social media, and immediately extended an olive branch to Siddiqi, encouraging her to start a company, and generously donated money to become an important member of Orchid's $4.5 million seed round of financing in 2021.

Siddiqi's deep network of contacts in Silicon Valley is partly due to the support of the Thiel Fellowship. Kevin Hartz, co-founder of Eventbrite, is not only a customer of Orchid, but also a close friend of Siddiqi. He is well aware of the challenges and opportunities of this business and said frankly: "She knows that this is an expensive experiment, but only by reaching the high-net-worth group can she open the door to the market."

Last year, Orchid launched a $2,500 whole-genome embryo screening service that combines three analysis modes: aneuploidy screening, which detects chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome; single-gene disease testing, such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease, which can theoretically clearly determine the presence of specific gene mutations; and complex multi-gene disease screening, covering a wide range of areas from diabetes to bipolar disorder.

In December of the same year, Orchid successfully raised $12 million in funding, led by Prometheus Fund, the founder of Filecoin, Juan Benet.EthereumFounder Buterin andBitcoinCrypto giants such as evangelist Balaji Srinivasan also lent their support. When asked why this technology attracted so many heavyweights, Siddiqi speculated that it might be closely related to another hot topic in the cryptocurrency community: longevity technology. She said: "In the pursuit of longevity, this technology is particularly attractive because it has the potential to help us avoid many chronic diseases."

The reasons behind the rapid popularity of this service among the tech elite are complicated. "Now I always see Orchid babies at the events I attend. It all happened so suddenly," said Jan Liphardt, Siddiqi's mentor and an associate professor of bioengineering at Stanford University.

An OpenAI engineer in San Francisco said she and her partner were among six couples in their social circle who chose Orchid for embryo testing.

Siddiqi has also experienced this technology firsthand. She used Orchid to test her own embryos and planned to select two male and two female embryos from a large number of candidate embryos for implantation. As an advocate, she also enthusiastically recommended this technology to investor Bucher and encouraged her to consider alternative options when appropriate.

Currently, Orchid's services cover more than 30 IVF centers across the United States, and with the establishment of a partnership with Kindbody, a national fertility clinic chain, this number is about to grow significantly.

Super baby promotion faces three major challenges

Siddiqui will face multiple public relations challenges as he expands Orchid's customer base.

The first challenge comes from public perception. According to a 2024 study by the American Medical Association, more than half of the respondents (54%) expressed deep concerns about multi-gene embryo screening technology, fearing that it would promote eugenics or mislead parents into having unrealistic expectations.

Secondly, market acceptance is also a test. Orchid's current service is priced high, with each embryo testing costing up to $2,500, and the average cost of the entire IVF cycle approaching $21,600. In addition, due to the demographic characteristics of the global biobank, patients of European descent can currently obtain the most accurate results in genetic testing, which undoubtedly limits the universality of the service.

Third, the uncertainty brought about by policy changes cannot be ignored. If Donald Trump wins a second term and pushes the Republican Party to continue its policy agenda aimed at overturning Roe v. Wade, the future fate of IVF and other fertility technologies will hang in the balance. In this context, although some conservatives share Musk's view that developed countries need to increase fertility rates, the specific policy direction and impact are still difficult to predict.

Three sources familiar with the matter said that there were undisclosed discussions about Siddiqi’s claim that his company could assess intelligence in embryos, despite Orchid representatives’ explicit denials. The claim was quickly clarified by the company, which stressed that it was referring to a range of tests for risk of cognitive impairment, not a direct measurement of intelligence.

The clinical utility of multi-gene testing in disease risk assessment is still controversial, and its extension to the prediction of behavioral traits makes many scientists cautious. In addition, bioethicists are also worried about the potential impact of openly discussing such technologies. Katie Hasson, deputy director of the non-profit organization Center for Genes and Society, pointed out: "The core of the problem is not whether the rich can give birth to super-intelligent offspring, but the profound harm that this misunderstanding may cause to society. It may exacerbate society's blind belief in genetic determinism and mistakenly attribute privilege to DNA."

However, Siddiqi is confident about the future of Orchid's service. In a YouTube video, she publicly announced her decision to use the technology to screen embryos, and firmly stated: "In my opinion, sex is the joy of life, and embryo screening is for the future of children. I think it is unthinkable not to do these screenings."

Artificial wombs and egg freezing are on the rise

Infertility is often viewed as a female issue, a bias that often masks a lack of awareness, funding and understanding. In fact, the cause of infertility is unknown in about a third of cases, and of those that can be diagnosed, it is split evenly between male and female factors.

It was with insight into the opportunities in this field that Khaled Kteily founded Legacy in New York in 2018, a startup focused on sperm freezing technology. He realized that compared with the complexity of female fertility, male fertility problems can often be improved through lifestyle adjustments or simple interventions. Since its inception, Legacy has raised $47.87 million and received a valuation of up to $150 million in 2022, attracting many celebrity investors including Justin Bieber and The Weeknd, as well as well-known investment institutions such as Valor Equity Partners and FirstMark Capital.

Legacy's innovation lies in its disruptive service model: it abandons the cumbersomeness and embarrassment of traditional clinics, allowing customers to easily complete sample collection at home and safely transport it to Legacy's professional facilities for a series of detailed tests, such as DNA integrity assessment and sperm motility analysis. What's more reassuring is that these sperm samples will be properly frozen and stored for up to 25 years.

Legacy co-founder Ketli won the 2018 startup competition

Meanwhile, Dina Radenkovic, co-founder of Gameto, another important figure in the biotechnology field, offered insights into the current status of in vitro fertilization and egg freezing processes. She believes that although these technologies have brought hope to many families, the process is often accompanied by "cruel, expensive, lengthy and highly medicalized" characteristics. However, as American women generally postpone their childbearing age, the demand for these two services continues to rise.

Currently, patients undergoing IVF and egg freezing need to undergo a two-week hormone injection cycle to promote egg maturation and prepare for subsequent collection. Gameto's first product, Fertilo, is committed to overturning this status quo. Relying on the stem cell research of George Church's laboratory at Harvard University, Gameto has successfully developed ovarian support cells that can simulate the function of human ovaries. This innovative technology significantly shortens the treatment cycle, reducing the original long two-week injection process to only three days, while the eggs complete the maturation process in a precisely controlled laboratory environment.

Since its establishment in 2020, Gameto has quickly attracted the attention of the capital market with its cutting-edge technology, successfully raising US$73 million from well-known investment institutions such as Lux Capital, Future Ventures and Jack Abraham, and the company's valuation has also climbed to US$130 million.

GameTo co-founder Dina Radenkovic speaks at the 2022 Webinar

In addition, Gameto's research project, which aims to overcome the root causes of menopause, has also attracted the attention of scientists pursuing longevity. They believe that in-depth research on the aging mechanism of the ovaries, one of the earliest organs in the human body to show signs of aging, may open up new avenues for research on extending human lifespan.

In May this year, Gameto successfully completed a $33 million Series B financing led by Two Sigma Ventures. This capital injection will accelerate Fertilo's pace in obtaining FDA approval in the United States and promote its service expansion in the Australian and Latin American markets. Radenkovic said that with the continued injection of funds, this field is expected to usher in a golden period of breakthrough progress.

Although in vitro fertilization and egg freezing technologies have been developed for decades, the exploration of fertility technology has not stopped. Many scientific researchers are committed to innovative research and development based on emerging technologies with their dreams in mind.

Among them, the artificial womb is particularly eye-catching as a forward-looking concept. Professor George Church, a supporter of Orchid and an advisor to Gameto, is completing the basic work through his startup Colossal. Although Colossal is ostensibly focused on resurrecting extinct species such as mammoths, facing the realistic challenge of no mammoth mothers giving birth to offspring, scientists have to explore alternatives, and the artificial womb is an important part of this exploration.

“The initial development of the artificial womb was driven by a deep need in the veterinary field,” Church said. “Its safety standards were extremely strict, and it was this high standard of work that drove its development. However, I foresee that after several years of veterinary practice, this technology may gradually expand to human applications.”

At the same time, the rise of in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) technology has also brought new hope to fertility technology. Conception, a seven-year-old startup, is committed to using stem cells to cultivate human eggs and has raised nearly $40 million to date. In theory, IVG technology not only opens up the possibility for same-sex couples to have offspring, but also allows women to get rid of the age limit for childbearing and the inconvenience and discomfort caused by traditional reproductive technology.

In Silicon Valley, some ideas seem to have gone beyond the scope of simple biotechnology and are more inclined to the in-depth exploration of social engineering. Buch's vision is particularly thought-provoking: "In the future, people may clearly distinguish between the three functions of reproduction, family and sex, and no longer be limited to the role framework of a single gender."

She even predicts that future partner selection may be refined based on DNA analysis. She asked: "While loving someone deeply, do we tend to choose a partner who can give birth to the healthiest, smartest, and most potential children? Or do we realize that only by combining with a specific person can we give birth to the best offspring together?" (Compiled by Jinlu)