E78: Fertility, Healthy Humans, and Ending Genetic Disease w/ Noor Siddiqui, CEO of Orchid

"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

Erik Torenberg is joined by Noor Siddiqui, founder and CEO of Orchid, to explore groundbreaking advancements in reproductive technology, especially the world's first whole genome embryo screening. They dive into genome sequencing, IVF, and the ethical implications of these technologies, highlighting their potential to significantly reduce the incidence of major diseases. Noor shares her journey of bringing Orchid's innovative solutions from research to market, along with the importance of polygenic scores and the evolving societal views on reproductive tech.

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LINKS:

Orchid: https://www.orchidhealth.com/

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FOLLOW:

X / TWITTER:

@noor_siddiqui_ (Noor)

@OrchidInc (Orchid)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@upstream__pod

@turpentinemedia

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TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Intro

(01:20) What is Orchid?

(04:07) Genome sequencing for embryos: What Orchid has accomplished

(06:53) The breakthrough that enabled Orchid's genome sequencing

(08:25) The impact and significance of the polygenic risk score

(11:48) What is IVF

(15:11) Sponsors: Fundrise | Brave

(17:22) Concerns and stigmas around reproductive technology

(24:19 On the Gattaca future where parents create perfect children

(26:02) Moral panic around longevity

(28:41) Anything that can improve things can be used in very hostile ways

(31:37) What are the norms around having kids going to be 30-40 years from now

(35:02) Sponsor: Squad

(36:12) Noor's thoughts on declining fertility rates

(41:33) Matchmaking and dating

(47:38) Is the decline of men a real thing?

(49:31) Increasing fertility rates, moving the culture, and the negative effects of fertility collapse

(1:06:56) Trying out Orchid and how the test works

(1:08:11) Wrap