TED Talks Daily The life-saving secrets in your baby's DNA | Robert C. Green
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Sep 12, 2025 In this insightful discussion, Robert C. Green, a geneticist and physician at Harvard Medical School, reveals the groundbreaking BabySeq Project that sequences newborn DNA to uncover hidden health risks. He emphasizes the shift from treating illness to predicting it, showcasing how early genetic screening can empower families and enhance pediatric care. Green shares compelling cases where early detection led to proactive health interventions, and he explores how technology and genomics could revolutionize healthcare for future generations.
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First Newborn Genome Sequenced
- In 2015 the BabySeq project sequenced a healthy four-day-old infant, marking the first comprehensive newborn genome analysis in a clinical preventive trial.
- The finding enabled early detection and follow-up for a mildly narrowed aorta in that baby, illustrating immediate clinical impact.
Many Babies Carry Actionable Mutations
- Sequencing ~400 treatable genes found actionable mutations in about 4% of healthy newborns, revealing hidden risks at birth.
- Expanding to ~5,000 genes raised the detection rate to ~12%, indicating many infants carry significant genetic variants.
Real Babies, Real Preventive Care
- Baby Adam had an elastin mutation and a mild aortic narrowing discovered after sequencing, allowing monitoring and treatment.
- Baby Cora’s biotinidase deficiency was treated with a daily supplement preventing brain damage.