Can UK patients send embryo genetic data abroad for analysis?

Yes, UK patients can legally send their embryos' raw genetic data abroad for analysis under data protection laws, even if the practice is not permitted in UK clinics.

What do companies like Herasight offer for embryo screening?

Companies like Herasight offer polygenic screening to predict IQ, height, and risks for various health conditions, aiming to help couples select embryos with desirable traits.

What are the ethical concerns about embryo genetic screening?

Ethical concerns include the unproven science, potential for a stratified society based on wealth, and the normalization of selecting for perceived genetic superiority.

Home / Health / Loophole Allows UK Patients to Genetically Screen Embryos Abroad

Loophole Allows UK Patients to Genetically Screen Embryos Abroad

6 Dec

•

Summary

UK couples are sending embryo genetic data abroad for screening.
Companies offer analysis for IQ, height, and health predictions.
UK fertility clinics face legal and ethical confusion over the practice.

Loophole Allows UK Patients to Genetically Screen Embryos Abroad

British fertility clinics are encountering significant scientific and ethical quandaries as patients exploit a legal loophole to send embryo genetic data overseas for analysis. This practice allows for the screening of embryos based on predicted IQ, height, and health, a method not permitted within the UK due to its unproven nature and ethical concerns.

Several US-based companies, such as Herasight, are offering these advanced polygenic screening services, charging substantial fees for assessing multiple embryos. While these companies confirm working with UK patients, they state they do not influence clinic decisions. UK regulators deem such testing unlawful for domestic use, though they acknowledge it's difficult to prevent patients from seeking it abroad.