Silicon Valley Wants to Optimize Your Children’s Genes | Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

Subscribe to the podcast @InterestingTimesNYT for more episodes like this. Is it ethical to use an algorithm to select your embryos? Enter Orchid, a company that promises parents the ability to protect their future children through the genetic testing of embryos before pregnancy. The founder, Noor Siddiqui, and Ross debate the scientific, moral and ethical implications of designing a “healthy” child and what we lose in separating reproduction from sex. 01:25 - Orchid’s vision 04:49 - Genetic testing of embryos: the process and benefits 18:10 - The clientele of Orchid 24:33 - Criticism and skepticism around genetic testing 39:50 - How Orchid plays a role in the future of IVF 47:28 - Ross's moral questions about Orchid 53:00 - "I'd like to know what you think about the moral status of the embryo" 59:34 - How does this technology change us? Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com. Read the full transcript here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/op... Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.