A U.S. startup called Heliospect Genomics is reportedly offering wealthy couples the opportunity to screen their embryos for IQ and other desirable genetic traits. The company charges up to $50,000 to test 100 embryos and claims that their technology can help couples undergoing IVF select children with IQ scores that are six points higher or more than babies conceived naturally, as per The Guardian.
Heliospect has already worked with more than a dozen couples, as revealed in undercover video footage reviewed by the outlet. CEO Michael Christensen stated in a video call in November 2023 that everyone can have children that are disease-free, smart, and healthy using their technology. The call was recorded by an undercover researcher for Hope Not Hate, an antifascist group that works against far-right extremism.
During the call, Heliospect employees reportedly explained to prospective parents how they could rank embryos based on various traits, including IQ, sex, height, risk of obesity, and risk of mental illness using polygenic scoring. The company’s prediction tools use data from the UK Biobank, a genetic repository with half a million British volunteers.
While UK law prohibits selecting embryos based on predicted high IQ, the practice is legal in the U.S. However, many experts and bioethicists have raised concerns about the ethics of selecting embryos for favorable genetic traits, as it may perpetuate the idea of genetic superiority and inferiority. Hope Not Hate’s reporting linked some Heliospect employees to individuals and publications associated with promoting scientific racism.
Katie Hasson, associate director of the Center for Genetics and Society in California, warned that embryo selection technology could reinforce the belief that inequality stems from biology rather than social causes. Heliospect Genomics did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The company stated that it operates within the bounds of all applicable laws and regulations and is currently in a developmental phase before a public launch. The cost for screening fewer embryos is approximately $4,000. Heliospect’s team described how their service uses algorithms to predict the traits of embryos based on genetic data provided by parents, but they do not offer IVF services.
Heliospect’s senior staff includes Jonathan Anomaly, who has defended the concept of “liberal eugenics.” The company gained access to UK Biobank’s data in June 2023 to improve the prediction of complex traits. While Heliospect did not disclose embryo screening as a commercial application, it emphasized that its use of UK Biobank data is lawful.
Experts suggest that databases like UK Biobank may need stricter restrictions to address the ethical concerns surrounding embryo screening. Heliospect believes that public education, policy discussions, and informed debates are essential to address concerns about preimplantation embryonic screening.
