This technique, known as “polygenic screening,” is prohibited in British clinics, but couples are collecting data on embryos and sending it to foreign companies for analysis, such as the American company Herasight, which charges $50,000 to evaluate an unlimited number of embryos.
British clinics and scientific bodies have expressed ethical and scientific objections to this screening, describing it as unreliable and potentially leading to a class-based society where the wealthy can select “better” embryos.
In contrast, couples consider this method an opportunity to reduce the likelihood of diseases and increase the chances of having smarter and healthier children.
British official authorities, including the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, have confirmed that the use of this technology is illegal within the United Kingdom, but clarified that there is nothing to prevent couples from undergoing screening or treatment abroad, as long as British clinics do not use this data in the embryo selection process.
