The Download: Ethical Concerns Arise in the Race to Design 'Perfect' Babies, Big Tech's Carbon Removal Doubts, and India's AI Ambitions

Published on October 16, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Ethical Dilemma: The Quest for the 'Perfect' Baby An emerging field of science is offering parents the ability to analyze embryos and predict future traits, raising significant ethical questions. While some use these tests to prevent genetic disorders, others are willing to spend large sums to optimize for intelligence, appearance, and personality. However, the effectiveness of these services is questionable, casting doubt on whether customers are receiving what they pay for. The Problem with Big Tech’s Favorite Carbon Removal Tech As companies invest heavily in carbon removal technologies, Microsoft and other tech giants are placing significant bets on bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). Concerns are rising about its potential issues, mirroring those associated with carbon offsets and alternative jet fuels. Climate Tech to Watch: Fervo Energy and Enhanced Geothermal Systems Fervo Energy is highlighted as one of the top climate tech companies to watch in 2025. The company utilizes fracking techniques to create enhanced geothermal systems, aiming to replicate ideal geothermal conditions and produce a steady supply of renewable energy to power data centers and homes. India's AI Independence Scramble Despite being a global tech hub, India lags behind the US and China in homegrown AI development due to underinvestment in R&D and challenges in training language models. The recent launch of DeepSeek-R1 by a Chinese startup has spurred Indian policymakers to address the country's AI infrastructure gap urgently.