In mid-November 2024, the British organization Hope not Hate published its investigative research ‘Inside the Eugenics Revival’. In addition to documentating an active international “race research” network, the investigation also brought to light the existence of a US start-up that offers eugenic embryo selection. Heliospect Genomics aims to enable wealthy couples to select the “most intelligent” embryos for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) using the latest genomic technology: so-called polygenic (risk) scores (PGS).
[E]mbryo selection based on an expected IQ would currently be prohibited In many countries, including Germany and Great Britain. Furthermore, it is extremely doubtful that the IQ predictions made for embryos would have any validity at all. They are based on dubious statistical correlations and cannot yield reliable statements about the future development of individuals.
[G]iven these concerns, an urgent social and scientific debate is needed on the regulation or ban of commercial services like those offered by Heliospect Genomics. Under certain circumstances, such as when it concerns sensitive social characteristics like intelligence and educational attainment, a moratorium may be necessary even on purportedly neutral basic PGS research.
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