- In-vitro gametogenesis milestone: researchers derived haploid spermatid-like cells from mouse embryonic stem cells that completed full meiosis in culture and produced fertile offspring after intracytoplasmic injection (paper: “Complete meiosis from embryonic stem cell-derived germ cells in vivo”).  
- Parallel work showed human menstrual-blood-derived endometrial mesenchymal stem cells can be differentiated into oocyte-like cells, suggesting a non-invasive source for future human in-vitro gametes.  
- Channel discussion framed these advances in the context of “designer babies,” linking to Wait But Why’s public comment thread and the 2018 Hong Kong Human Genome Editing Summit transcript of He Jiankui’s presentation.  
- Policy landscape reviewed: participants circulated the Genetics & Society global-policy summary, National Academies news release, and ASHG Code of Ethics to track evolving regulations on germline editing.  
- Crypto-currency conversation highlighted a Chain.com blog post (“A Letter to Jamie Dimon”) as a lay-friendly explanation, with emphasis on decentralization for censorship resistance, fault tolerance, and credible commitments.  
- Regulatory critique: participants dissected the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill’s rescheduling of hemp and the FDA approval of Epidiolex (purified CBD) as emblematic of slow, bureaucratic drug-policy liberalization.  
- Half-serious “evil overlord” scenario proposed that a global moratorium on IQ-enhancing gene edits could incentivize secret state-level programs using remote facilities as “baby factories.”  
- Jurassic-Park-themed banter included an Imgur gallery of “birbs” replacing dinosaurs, tempered-glass fabrication questions for custom shapes, and the purchase of a “Jurassic Park STAFF” hoodie.