US Startup Offers Controversial IQ Screening for Embryos
A US-based startup, Heliospect Genomics, is making waves in the fertility industry by offering parents the opportunity to screen embryos for IQ levels during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The company, which charges significant fees for its services, claims to increase a child’s IQ by up to six points through genetic screening.
An investigation by The Guardian and Hope Not Hate has uncovered undercover footage and research revealing Heliospect’s practices. The company reportedly charges over $50,000 to screen 100 embryos, targeting wealthy parents seeking to have “disease-free, smart, healthy” children.
However, the effectiveness of Heliospect’s technology remains uncertain. Experts note that IQ is influenced by multiple genes and is a complex trait to measure accurately. This uncertainty has not deterred interest, as the company claims to have successful screenings and implantations, with babies reportedly on the way.
The practice has raised significant ethical concerns, with critics likening it to eugenics. Screening for traits such as IQ, obesity risk, and mental illness goes beyond medical necessity, focusing instead on genetic selection based on parental preference.
Connections between Heliospect staff and pronatalist and pro-eugenics communities have further fueled controversy. Jonathan Anomaly, a senior staffer at the company, is known as a eugenics defender with academic ties to prestigious institutions like Duke and Oxford.
Experts in the field have expressed alarm over the lack of public discourse on the implications of such technologies. Oxford professor Dagan Wells questioned whether society is prepared for these tests, while Katie Hasson from the Center for Genetics and Society warned that such practices could reinforce ideas of genetic superiority and inequality.
The investigation also revealed links between Heliospect and another company, PolygenX, involved in the screening process. This overlap has raised questions about the transparency and regulation of these ventures.
As the debate around genetic screening for non-medical traits continues, the growing interest from wealthy individuals suggests an emerging trend in gene-selection services. The controversy surrounding Heliospect Genomics highlights the need for broader public engagement and careful ethical considerations in the rapidly evolving field of genetic technology.