New embryo testing company says it can predict lifespan, height and IQ of potential children

Summary

The video explores the ethical and scientific implications of genetic testing and embryo selection, focusing on Herasite, a company offering IVF with genetic analysis to choose embryos based on traits like IQ, health risks, and height. The Fritzes, a couple using Herasite’s service, are hoping to avoid passing on type 1 diabetes to their children. While the technology promises healthier, smarter offspring, experts caution that predictions for traits like IQ are still uncertain. The video raises moral concerns about genetic selection, societal inequalities, and the potential for future advancements like embryo editing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Genetic testing advancements allow parents to screen embryos not only for disease risks but also for traits like height and IQ.
• 😀 Herasite, a company offering embryo selection services, has been providing this technology to select couples for two years and is now available to the public.
• 😀 The process involves creating embryos through IVF, analyzing their DNA, and then selecting embryos based on the analysis of traits like health risks, height, and IQ.
• 😀 The Fritzes, a couple featured in the story, are using Herasite's services to avoid passing Type 1 diabetes to their children.
• 😀 The service provides detailed reports with polygenic risk scores for 18 health conditions, with estimates on life expectancy for each embryo.
• 😀 Herasite also predicts the expected height and IQ of each embryo, which can vary significantly between embryos.
• 😀 Herasite charges $50,000 for the report, though the Fritzes received a discount for sharing their data and experiences.
• 😀 Herasite's use of embryo DNA data for polygenic scoring is a potential breakthrough, particularly with their ability to use existing PGTA data from IVF tests.
• 😀 While Herasite’s technology is innovative, critics like Dr. Todd Lens raise concerns about the accuracy of polygenic scores, particularly for complex traits like IQ.
• 😀 Some see the service as part of a broader trend in Silicon Valley towards genetic selection, with a future where IVF and genetic engineering become the norm for many families.
• 😀 The ethical and moral implications of embryo selection are significant, especially as the technology could exacerbate inequality by providing advantages to wealthier families who can afford it.
• 😀 There is a growing interest in further genetic technologies, including embryo editing and stem cell research, which could offer even greater control over genetic traits in the future.

Q & A

What is the main service offered by Herasite?

Herasite offers a service that helps parents select embryos based on genetic traits such as the likelihood of diseases, projected height, and IQ, using IVF technology and genetic analysis.

How does the Herasite process work?

The process involves creating embryos through IVF in a lab, then analyzing their DNA to assess genetic traits. The parents then choose which embryo to implant based on factors like health risks, expected height, and IQ.

What are polygenic risk scores, and how are they used in Herasite's service?

Polygenic risk scores are calculated by analyzing the genetic data of embryos in relation to various health conditions. These scores help estimate the likelihood of conditions like type 1 diabetes and other genetic factors, guiding parents in embryo selection.

What ethical concerns are associated with Herasite’s embryo selection process?

Ethical concerns include the potential for genetic discrimination, the widening of social inequality, and the moral implications of selecting embryos based on traits like IQ or physical appearance, which could lead to societal divides.

How much does Herasite charge for its embryo selection service?

Herasite charges $50,000 for the full report, though the Fritz family received a discount for agreeing to share information about their future children.

What are some of the potential benefits of using Herasite’s embryo selection service?

The potential benefits include reducing the risk of hereditary diseases, potentially increasing the intelligence and health of future children, and allowing parents to have greater control over genetic outcomes.

What are some of the risks or uncertainties involved in using polygenic scores for embryo selection?

Polygenic scores may not always be accurate enough, especially for complex traits like IQ, and there is a margin of error in the predictions, making it difficult to predict the actual outcome of an embryo’s development.

Why does Herasite believe their service could improve society?

Herasite argues that selecting embryos with better health and intelligence traits could lead to a healthier, smarter population, which in turn would create a more prosperous and advanced society.

How do the ethical implications of genetic selection compare to historical examples like eugenics?

While genetic selection for embryos is voluntary and based on parental choice, it raises ethical concerns similar to eugenics, especially in how it may exacerbate inequalities between the wealthy and less fortunate, potentially leading to a new form of genetic stratification.

What is the potential impact of advancements like artificial wombs and stem cell technology on the future of embryo selection?

The development of artificial wombs and stem cell technology could allow for a broader range of embryo selection, giving parents more control over the genetic makeup of their children. However, this could also raise further ethical concerns about the manipulation of human genetics.