What if we could get a heads-up about serious health issues before they begin, from the moment a baby is born? In this groundbreaking talk, medical geneticist and physician-scientist Robert C. Green shares how his team at the BabySeq Project became the first in the world to comprehensively sequence and analyze the DNA of healthy infants, revealing hidden risks for treatable conditions. The future of medicine isn’t just about curing illness, he says — it's about predicting and preventing it.

The life-saving secrets in your baby's DNA

Sequencing a healthy baby's genome can reveal hidden risks for hundreds of treatable genetic conditions, long before symptoms appear. In one study, four percent of newborns carried mutations linked to current treatments, while twelve percent had mutations tied to future or adult-onset disease. Early knowledge has already allowed families to act, from dietary changes to life-saving surgery. As science advances, routinely reanalyzing each child's DNA could unlock an era where medicine predicts and prevents illness instead of chasing it.

Sequencing Newborn DNA Transforms Health From Reactive To Preventive

Comprehensive DNA analysis of newborns can reveal hidden risks for hundreds of treatable genetic conditions, long before symptoms appear. In one study, four percent of healthy babies carried mutations linked to diseases that are already treatable today. Early knowledge lets families take action, transforming desperation into prevention. As gene therapies advance, this approach could safeguard millions of children from permanent harm.

Genomic Sequencing at Birth Can Prevent Lifelong Suffering

Learn more about Dr. Green’s work with Genomes2People

Support this research through the Franca Fund

Learn more about genomic screening of children with Nurture Genomics

Learn more about rare diseases at Global Genes

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TED Stage Talk

Robert C. Green: The life-saving secrets in your baby's DNA