Ethical Dilemmas Emerge as US Startup Offers Genetic IQ Screening for Elite Couples

A controversial startup is emerging in the U.S. offering wealthy couples the opportunity to screen their embryos for intelligence and other desirable genetic traits, raising significant ethical questions in the process.

Heliospect Genomics is charging as much as $50,000 to analyze up to 100 embryos. The company claims its technology can help parents undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) select embryos with IQ scores that could be six points higher than those conceived naturally, according to a report by The Guardian.

Although Heliospect has already collaborated with more than a dozen couples, undercover video footage revealed by the outlet provides insight into their practices. CEO Michael Christensen stated in a recorded video call in November 2023 that parents could produce children who are disease-free and intelligent, portraying this technology as beneficial.

Unpacking the Genetic Selection Process

During the call, Heliospect staff explained their experimental genetic selection methods. One representative detailed how couples might apply polygenic scoring to evaluate up to 100 embryos based on attributes like IQ, sex, height, obesity risk, and the likelihood of mental health issues.

Heliospect asserts that its predictive tools utilize data from the UK Biobank, a publicly funded genetic database with over half a million British participants. This database is accessible to approved researchers globally for public interest health-related studies.

Legal Landscape and Global Variances

While UK law prohibits parents from selecting embryos based on predicted high IQ, the practice remains permissible in the U.S. even though the technology is not yet commercially available. The contrast in regulations raises critical discussions about genetic selection equity.

Experts in genetics and bioethics warn that selecting embryos for favorable genetic traits poses ethical challenges. Critics argue that this could reinforce notions of “superior” versus “inferior” genetics. A report by Hope Not Hate also connects some Heliospect employees with individuals who have advocated for scientific racism, highlighting the broader societal implications of such technology.

Concerns of Inequality and Social Implications

Katie Hasson, the associate director at the Center for Genetics and Society in California, cautioned that embryo selection technology might popularize the idea that inequality stems from biological factors rather than social conditions, thereby complicating public understanding of geneticism and social justice.

Heliospect refrains from commenting publicly but insists it operates within all applicable laws and regulations. The company is currently in “stealth mode” while developing its offerings, noting that clients who screened fewer embryos paid about $4,000 for the service.