23andMe for embryos
The first polygenic test for the intelligence of an unborn child has appeared
Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+
The American startup Genomic Prediction has presented a test to identify embryos with a high risk of 11 different diseases and mental retardation. The technique called LifeView is based on the analysis of hundreds of sections of DNA extracted from several cells of the embryo in the early stages of development.
The test is primarily intended for couples undergoing IVF. According to the company calling itself "23andMe for embryos", future parents will be able to order an analysis of a batch of embryos and choose for implantation those from which healthy children are most likely to develop.
Among the diseases whose risk is allegedly assessed by LifeView are diabetes, heart problems and five types of cancer. In addition, the test indicates embryos that will give rise to children with extremely low growth and intelligence.
The promises of Genomic Prediction sound very tempting and will undoubtedly attract a lot of concerned couples who are ready to pay for the health of future children. However, while the effectiveness of LifeView is not supported by scientific data, MIT Technology Review notes. The company plans to publish the results of the first applications of the technique within the next few weeks. So far, we are talking only about testing embryos, but not about their implantation.
Criticism
Representatives of science treat the activities of Genomic Prediction with great skepticism. According to them, currently genetic and computational methods are not sufficiently developed to predict the health of future children based on embryo DNA analysis.
The only truly effective tests are those that detect the presence of single mutations that are uniquely associated with a specific disease - for example, cystic fibrosis. They are already actively used by doctors. Polygenic LifeView-type estimates are much less accurate.
According to a recent study, even in the best case, polygenic assessments will increase the growth of future children by only 2.5 cm, and the IQ level by 2.5 points. And the analysis of real families shows that such an analysis does not always coincide with real signs, because in addition to heredity, they are influenced by other factors.
However, criticism from scientists did not prevent Genomic Prediction from attracting several million dollars of investment. Among those who have invested in the company is the head of Y Combinator and CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman. The startup is also making great efforts to interest patients and doctors around the world in its service. The company claims that LifeView has already been ordered from 12 infertility treatment clinics, five of which are located in the USA, and the rest – in Nigeria, Peru, Thailand and Taiwan.
Some experts believe that, although polygenic genetic assessments of embryos are ineffective today, the technology will become much more advanced in the future. Among them is futurist Jamie Metzl. He is confident that such technologies will allow humanity to take control of its own evolution.
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