US Startup’s Controversial Genetic Screening Service Promises Designer Babies

US Startup’s Controversial Genetic Screening Service Promises Designer Babies

A U.S. startup is at the forefront of a controversial initiative that allows affluent couples to screen embryos for IQ and other desirable genetic traits. This groundbreaking service has sparked significant ethical debates across the nation.

Heliospect Genomics: A New Player in Genetic Selection

Heliospect Genomics is reportedly charging up to $50,000 to evaluate 100 embryos, claiming that their technology can help couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) select children with an IQ potentially six points higher than those conceived naturally, according to The Guardian.

How It Works

The company has already engaged with over a dozen couples, as revealed by undercover video footage obtained by the outlet. In a recorded call from November 2023, CEO Michael Christensen expressed confidence in the potential of this service, stating, “Everyone can have all the children they want, and they can have children that are basically disease-free, smart, healthy; it’s going to be great.” This statement has drawn both interest and ire.

Exploring Genetic Traits Through Advanced Technology

On the recorded call, Heliospect employees walked prospective parents through the intricate genetic selection techniques. They elucidated how couples could employ polygenic scoring to rank embryos based on not only IQ but also other characteristics such as sex, height, obesity risk, and susceptibility to mental illness.

Heliospect reportedly utilizes data from the UK Biobank, a comprehensive genetic repository with half a million British volunteers. This publicly funded database allows researchers worldwide to access health-related data beneficial to public interest research.

The Legal Landscape

While UK law prohibits embryo selection based on predicted IQ, such practices remain legal in the United States, despite the technology not being commercially available at this time.

Ethics Under Scrutiny

Experts, including geneticists and bioethicists, have voiced serious concerns regarding the ethical implications of utilizing embryo screening for desirable traits. They warn that this practice risks reinforcing notions of “superior” and “inferior” genetics. The organization Hope Not Hate also brought attention to links between some Heliospect employees and proponent organizations of scientific racism, further complicating the narrative surrounding the startup.

Skepticism from Bioethics Advocates

Katie Hasson, an associate director at the Center for Genetics and Society, cautioned that embryo selection technology could endorse the misguided belief that social inequality stems from biological factors rather than societal conditions.

Heliospect, in response, stated that they operate within all applicable laws and regulations, currently in a “stealth mode” as they refine their services for a planned public launch. They noted that couples who screening fewer embryos were charged approximately $4,000 for this service.

A Vision for the Future

On the calls, Christensen outlined an ambitious vision for the technology, alluding to a future where couples could potentially produce embryos on a large scale, suggesting industrial-scale lab-grown eggs. This proposition raised alarms among bioethicists and community advocates alike.

According to reports, Christensen even hinted at the possibility of screening for personality types, including attributes referred to as the “dark triad” traits—machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. However, Heliospect clarified that it does not condone industrial-scale production of embryos or any plans for personality screenings.

Addressing Ethical Concerns on Data Use

Among the controversial figures at Heliospect is Jonathan Anomaly, a philosopher who has championed the concept of “liberal eugenics.” He argues that genetic technology should be a tool for parents to enhance their children’s opportunities. Yet, this stance continues to fuel the ethical debate surrounding Heliospect’s offerings.

Records indicate that Heliospect accessed UK Biobank data in June 2023, intending to improve the prediction of complex traits. Notably, the company’s intention to screen embryos for IQ was not declared during this access application.

The Call for Stricter Regulations

Following these revelations, experts suggested that the UK Biobank, alongside the government, should consider imposing stricter restrictions concerning access to datasets amidst mounting ethical concerns regarding embryo screening practices.

Heliospect maintains that its use of UK Biobank data aligns with access conditions, asserting its commitment to engaging in public education and policy discussions to navigate the ethical landscape of embryo screening responsibly.

A New Era of Genetic Ethics

The emergence of services like those offered by Heliospect Genomics undoubtedly marks a pivotal point in the discussion surrounding genetic selection and embryo screening. As technology advances, society must grapple with the ethical, legal, and social implications of such profound capabilities. The path ahead is uncertain, but the need for informed debate and careful consideration has never been more urgent.