TED Health Interview: The life-saving secrets in your baby's DNA | Robert C. Green
Oct 7, 2025
Dr. Robert C. Green, a pioneering medical geneticist, discusses the revolutionary BabySeq Project, the first to sequence the DNA of healthy infants. He reveals that 4% to 12% of newborns carry actionable mutations, which can lead to early interventions. Green shares heartwarming family stories demonstrating the impact of early diagnosis and emphasizes the importance of making genomic testing accessible to all parents. He also tackles privacy concerns and advocates for ongoing genomic reanalysis, envisioning a future where genetics and AI transform preventive healthcare.
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First Newborn Genome Sequenced
- Robert C. Green recounts sequencing the first healthy infant's genome in 2015 as part of the BabySeq Project.
- That baby launched a trial showing early genomic clues can reveal treatable conditions before symptoms appear.
Many Babies Carry Actionable Mutations
- In BabySeq, ~4% of infants carried mutations in ~400 treatable genes.
- Expanding to ~5,000 genes rose carriers to ~12%, revealing large unseen population risk.
Early Findings Changed Care For Babies
- Baby Adam's elastin mutation led to detecting a mildly narrowed aorta via scan after sequencing.
- Baby Cora's partial biotinidase deficiency was treated with a daily supplement to protect brain development.