Perhaps it’s something she’s just born with, or maybe it’s more about genetic optimization?
With a new $5,999 service unveiled by a US biotechnology firm, prospective parents using in vitro fertilization (IVF) will soon have the ability to select embryos based on their potential disease risks, including conditions that could develop later in life.
“Before you have a heartbeat, you have DNA,” stated Kian Sadeghi, the founder and CEO of Nucleus Genomics. He mentioned that a single file with DNA and genetic markers can reveal more about a baby’s future than any other tests typically done at this stage.
What is IVF?
IVF is a common fertility approach where eggs are retrieved from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized in a lab with sperm.
The resulting embryos can either be frozen or freshly implanted into the uterus, aiming to cause pregnancy.
Before implantation, many clinics already screen embryos for genetic issues like extra chromosomes or mutations that could result in failed implantation, miscarriage, or hereditary disorders.
Nucleus Genomics is taking this a step further.
Build-a-baby
The company has launched a new platform called Nuclear Germ, which allows prospective parents to explore the complete genetic make-up of their embryos.
This tool enables IVF patients to compare DNA from up to 20 embryos, screening for over 900 conditions, including Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers.
But it doesn’t stop there.
The software also identifies potential mental health issues, like depression or schizophrenia, and ranks traits including IQ. Additionally, it provides insights into physical characteristics, such as height, body mass index, and hair and eye colors.
While the company doesn’t guarantee ideal outcomes, it generates so-called polygenic risk scores, which suggest probabilities rather than certainties about the embryo’s potential.
Ultimately, it’s up to the parents to determine what matters most. Genetic counseling sessions are available for those wanting to interpret the findings.
“Life expectancy has dramatically increased over the last 150 years,” Sadeghi noted. “Using DNA testing to predict and mitigate chronic diseases can help prolong that even further.”
A new era of reproductive technology
This polygenic embryo screening is quite controversial in the medical field. Critics express concern that allowing parents to screen for conditions like depression may deepen the discrimination faced by individuals living with those issues.
On the other hand, some advocates for people with disabilities argue that it perpetuates the notion that obstacles are something that should be fixed, rather than embraced as part of human diversity.
There are further concerns that selecting embryos based on traits such as intelligence or physical abilities could lead us down a path toward designer babies.
A recent survey indicated that 77% of Americans support screening embryos, with 72% backing screens for mental health risks, suggesting potential physical health benefits.
Supporters liken this approach to vaccination, arguing that it serves as a preventive tool rather than a judgment on those with certain conditions.
However, enthusiasm wanes quickly for non-medical traits: only about 30% support screening for behavioral characteristics or physical features like height and eye color.
