WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raising concerns over reports of the gene-editing company Preventive working on technology that would allow them to create a child born from a gene-edited embryo, raising serious ethical and legal concerns:

Sen. Cornyn wrote, “While some will argue that the goal of genetically editing embryos is only to prevent genetic diseases in babies before they are even born, we must also acknowledge the real risk that such a technology will lead to ‘designer children,’ where parents, or others, can select their preferred traits for their children.”

“Scientific advancement cannot devolve into evil and immoral eugenic practices. Efforts to improve embryos will also lead to the impulse to destroy embryos, human life, who do not possess the full measure of these preferred traits,” he continued.

“All parents want their children to live the healthiest lives possible, but advancing this type of technology would come with grave consequences, intentional or not. Some of life’s questions must be left up to our Creator, not Silicon Valley elites,” he concluded.

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Secretary

Department of Health and Human Services

200 Independence Ave S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20201

Dear Secretary Kennedy:

I am writing to you to express my deep concern regarding recent news about a company, Preventive, which was first reported in a Wall Street Journal article on November 8, 2025. Preventive is reportedly working on technology that will allow them to create a child born from a gene-edited embryo. This raises serious ethical and legal questions. 

Gene therapy technology has the potential to open doors to life-changing and life-saving measures for children and adults otherwise suffering from terrible conditions, like sickle cell disease, neuromuscular diseases, and certain cancers. However, these types of therapies must be differentiated from embryonic gene editing.

While some will argue that the goal of genetically editing embryos is only to prevent genetic diseases in babies before they are even born, we must also acknowledge the real risk that such a technology will lead to “designer children,” where parents, or others, can select their preferred traits for their children. Scientific advancement cannot devolve into evil and immoral eugenic practices. Efforts to improve embryos will also lead to the impulse to destroy embryos, human life, who do not possess the full measure of these preferred traits.

Congress has made clear that federal research funding must not be used for genetically modifying human embryos, and the Food and Drug Administration cannot review applications for human trials if they involve embryo editing. This is also in line with the policy of our counterparts around the world, including in the European Union, Mexico, and Canada. I ask that you use your authority and work with the Department of Justice to ensure any companies operating in the U.S. and using human gene-editing technology are following all applicable laws.

All parents want their children to live the healthiest lives possible, but advancing this type of technology would come with grave consequences, intentional or not. Some of life’s questions must be left up to our Creator, not Silicon Valley elites.

• Can you confirm that Preventive is following all Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulation relating to gene-editing technology?
• What steps is HHS taking to ensure companies in this field are fully complying with the law?

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, and please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can support your efforts in this area.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)