Startup Launches Controversial Embryo Testing Product

Nucleus Genomics, a genetic testing startup founded by 25-year-old Kian Sadeghi in 2021, has sparked controversy with its latest product, Nucleus Embryo. This service allows parents undergoing IVF to test embryos for traits such as sex, height, hair color, eye color, IQ, anxiety, and ADHD using polygenic scores. These scores estimate probabilities within populations, not absolute risks, leading to ethical concerns. Critics argue that polygenic scores are unreliable for individual predictions, as noted by the National Human Genome Research Institute. Despite this, Nucleus defends its approach, citing a 2018 paper validating methods for certain diseases. The startup aims to help parents make informed choices, though some view this as crossing ethical lines. The launch has garnered significant backlash, with a venture capitalist likening it to a Noah's ark scenario, expressing disgust. Nucleus is backed by notable investors and partners with Genomic Prediction, which doesn't offer intelligence tests but allows data uploads for further analysis. Sadeghi claims genetic optimization is inevitable, referencing IVF's past stigma. However, critics warn against using such tools for non-medical traits, highlighting the need for ethical guidelines. Nucleus Genomics' launch of Nucleus Embryo has ignited a heated debate about the ethics of genetic optimization, raising questions about the future of IVF and genetic testing.

Published: 6/7/2025