UK fertility clinic staff are exploiting a loophole in UK law to help couples choose the healthiest and smartest embryos during IVF treatment. The practice involves sending raw genetic data for their embryos abroad, where it is analyzed using complex algorithms that predict IQ, height, and health risks.
Critics argue that this technique is unproven and unethical, but its proponents claim it can provide an edge in choosing the best embryo. One US company, Herasight, charges £37,000 to analyze an unlimited number of embryos, a fee that some couples feel is worth paying for a chance at having healthier and more intelligent children.
The loophole in question lies in UK data protection laws, which allow patients to access their own genetic data and send it abroad for analysis. While the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has stated that this practice is unlawful within the UK, some fertility clinics are taking a more permissive approach.
Dr Cristina Hickman, a senior embryologist at Avenues fertility clinic in London, warns that this can lead to "legal and ethical confusion." She argues that while she would not block a couple's request to choose a particular embryo if it did not conflict with medical safety, the HFEA should be allowed to regulate the use of polygenic testing within clinics.
The European Society of Genetics has condemned this technique as "unproven and unethical," citing broader concerns about creating a stratified society where wealthier parents can select embryos based on their perceived genetic superiority. Clinical geneticist Angus Clarke notes that some parents may be tempted by the promise of selecting the "best child possible" – but warns that it might be difficult to live up to those expectations.
As for Herasight, the company claims that its algorithms are backed by scientific research and has worked with UK-based couples who have undergone IVF treatment. However, critics argue that this technique is still murky science being applied in an emotionally charged context.
Critics argue that this technique is unproven and unethical, but its proponents claim it can provide an edge in choosing the best embryo. One US company, Herasight, charges £37,000 to analyze an unlimited number of embryos, a fee that some couples feel is worth paying for a chance at having healthier and more intelligent children.
The loophole in question lies in UK data protection laws, which allow patients to access their own genetic data and send it abroad for analysis. While the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has stated that this practice is unlawful within the UK, some fertility clinics are taking a more permissive approach.
Dr Cristina Hickman, a senior embryologist at Avenues fertility clinic in London, warns that this can lead to "legal and ethical confusion." She argues that while she would not block a couple's request to choose a particular embryo if it did not conflict with medical safety, the HFEA should be allowed to regulate the use of polygenic testing within clinics.
The European Society of Genetics has condemned this technique as "unproven and unethical," citing broader concerns about creating a stratified society where wealthier parents can select embryos based on their perceived genetic superiority. Clinical geneticist Angus Clarke notes that some parents may be tempted by the promise of selecting the "best child possible" – but warns that it might be difficult to live up to those expectations.
As for Herasight, the company claims that its algorithms are backed by scientific research and has worked with UK-based couples who have undergone IVF treatment. However, critics argue that this technique is still murky science being applied in an emotionally charged context.
. Can't we just focus on making healthy babies? This embryo selection stuff sounds like a recipe for disaster to me 
I'm not sure if it's a good thing or bad, but think about it like this: if you've got £37k to spare, wouldn't you want the best chance of having healthy and smart kids? 
But then again, there's always a catch – what about those who can't afford it? Does that mean they're less deserving of a "best" embryo just 'cause they don't have the cash 
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. If some parents are going to splurge £37,000 for this "edge" over others, that just seems like a recipe for social inequality. I mean, what's the point of having the most intelligent or healthy embryo if you're still gonna struggle to provide for your family? It's all about perspective, right?
, but I do think we need to be super cautious about how we apply scientific advancements in this area. We don't wanna create a situation where parents are feeling pressured into "choosing" certain traits over others – that's just gonna lead to some serious emotional baggage 
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. Are they really backed by scientific research? Or is this just another case of tech companies making claims they can't back up? 
We need to get a handle on what's actually happening here before we start celebrating the "smartest" or "healthiest" embryos 
... once you open this Pandora's box of selecting embryos based on IQ, height, and health risks, where do you draw the line? what about other factors like personality traits or creativity? should we be really playing god with these kids' genetic code? 
37k to know if ur kid's gonna be smart or not? i dunno man... sounds too good (and expensive) to be true 
We need to be careful not to create a society where we're only choosing kids based on what our genes can guarantee, rather than accepting the unique person they'll become. The HFEA should definitely be more involved here and make sure we're not crossing any lines into "embryo engineering" territory 
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. I mean, what if this technique becomes accessible only to those who can afford it? That would be a recipe for disaster 
. Dr. Hickman is right to raise concerns about legal and ethical confusion. This feels like a case of playing with fire without a clear understanding of what we're doing 
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This whole thing has me like 
It's like, isn't IVF already a risk? Do we really need to add more variables to the mix? 
It just seems so... extra. 
Can't we just keep things simple & focus on love & hope instead of trying to engineer perfect little humans? 
? i mean, can't parents just want the best for their kids 
? but, on the other hand, how far should we go with playing God 
? some ppl might get super excited about "choosing" a smart baby 
? is it fair to leave them behind? 
to ensure this tech is used responsibly 
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? And £37,000?! That's like asking people to pay rent to play the lottery 
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. I mean, £37k to analyze embryos abroad? That's like buying a lottery ticket or something 
. As for polygenic testing being "unproven" but still getting used in IVF...I feel like we're playing God here 
. I get why parents want to know what they're getting into, but is this really the answer?