[ad_1]
A company known as Genomic Prediction, which offers advanced genetic testing for IVF, has developed a screening system to detect the risk of certain diseases and reduce the intelligence of embryos. Although the tests have not been used yet, New scientist reports that the firm is in communication with several IVF clinics.
Stephen Hsu, co-founder of Genomic Prediction, said New scientist this intelligence screening will only be used to detect a mental disability. However, he said that this technology would eventually be used to identify the potential IQ of embryos. "I think people are going to demand it. If we do not do it, another company will do it, "said Hsu.
Technological advances have made it possible to screen embryos for many conditions involving a single gene or chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. However, it is much more complicated to detect conditions influenced by hundreds of genes.
By examining many different regions of DNA, experts can estimate what is called a genetic risk score, or polygenic risk score. According to New Scientist, Genomic Prediction is the first company to offer polygenic risk scores for embryos rather than adults.
Hsu explained that the society's polygenic test for mental disability is controversial. It can not accurately predict the IQ of each embryo, but it can isolate 'genetic outliers', such as embryos likely to have an IQ lower than at least 25 points average.
This test would allow parents to avoid embryos that may have a lower than average IQ and inform them of embryos that may have an unusually high IQ. For ethical reasons, genomic prediction will not help parents select high IQ embryos in their tests.
Kevin Mitchell is Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Professor Mitchell told the New Scientist that if intelligence screening is not used in the United States, it will still be used in another country.
Lynn Murray of Do not Screen Us Out, a group advocating against prenatal testing for Down syndrome, told New Scientist: "If we see inclusivity and diversity as a measure of social progress, the proposals IQ screening is unethical. There must be wide consultation. "
Genomic prediction can also calculate polygenic risk scores for heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.
–
By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Editor
[ad_2]
Source link
