Summary
In vitro fertilization (IVF) in the United States has increased significantly, with a growing interest in elective IVF to screen embryos for certain genetic traits. However, doctors express concerns about the reliability of the science behind these tests, especially the new polygenic tests, which predict genetic predispositions for complex traits. This has reopened ethical debates about choosing specific traits for future children.
Key Facts
- IVF use in the U.S. increased by 45% from 2013 to 2022.
- Elective IVF allows embryo screening for traits like cancer risk, height, and IQ.
- New type of genetic testing, PGT-P, predicts complex conditions not linked to a single gene.
- Polygenic tests can add several thousand dollars to the IVF process.
- Doctors worry about the accuracy and ethical implications of these tests.
- Existing tests like PGT-A and PGT-M screen for chromosomal abnormalities and single-gene diseases, respectively.
- Some doctors believe technology like PGT-P is not yet reliable enough for clinical use.
