Latest news with #KianSadeghi
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nucleus Genomics Launches Nucleus Embryo, Genetic Optimization Software Alongside Partnership with Genomic Prediction
Parents pursuing IVF now have a new level of choice to empower their family planning NEW YORK, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With U.S. birthrates plummeting and IVF on the rise, Nucleus Genomics today launched Nucleus Embryo, the first genetic optimization software that lets parents see and understand a complete genetic profile to select an embryo. "Before there's a heartbeat, there's DNA," said Kian Sadeghi, founder and CEO of Nucleus. "One file containing DNA and genetic markers can tell you more about your baby's future than any other test a doctor could possibly run at this stage. Most clinics stop at whether an embryo will develop. For many parents, that's not enough. Patients have long asked for more transparency from clinics, and Nucleus Embryo is an important step toward complete data ownership for parents planning their families." The software enables parents to analyze and compare up to 20 embryos across over 900 hereditary conditions and 40 additional analyses beyond basic viability, spanning cancers, chronic conditions, appearance, cognitive ability, mental health, and more. To widen access to the software, Nucleus will partner with Genomic Prediction, the first company to offer genome-wide screening on embryos. The partnership sets a new standard in genetic medicine, continuing Genomic Prediction's decade-long history of giving hopeful parents the best possible chance of implanting healthy embryos. The company's analyses focus on hereditary conditions, acting as the first line of defense against chronic and rare diseases. "As an organization, we are committed to supporting patients' rights to their DNA and any information that can aid in their family-building journey," said Kelly Ketterson, CEO of Genomic Prediction. "We have a legacy of innovation aimed at providing patients with access to the best scientific resources. Our partnership with Nucleus opens access to information our patients have requested and allows us to uphold our commitment to this legacy." Nucleus' partnership with Genomic Prediction reflects a growing shift in how parents think about genetics as a tool to give children the best possible start in life. A wide-ranging study of Americans found the majority accepted the use of genetic technology to choose embryos based on health and personality traits. Four in 10 parents would use genetic optimization as another tool to understand their future child's cognitive abilities. Most women undergo three to six IVF cycles before successfully having a baby, with each cycle costing up to $25,000. Many embryos are unviable within days of being fertilized, leaving parents with few to choose from. Facing high stakes, clinicians often recommend genetic testing to optimize a couple's chances of a healthy pregnancy. But these tests typically stop at a select number of hereditary conditions and chromosome count. Now, advanced genetic analysis from Nucleus gives parents a new window into the health and well-being of their future child. Nucleus Embryo provides a comprehensive genetic profile for each embryo, encompassing hereditary genetic diseases, like cystic fibrosis and hemochromatosis, alongside genetic measures of cognitive ability, mental health, and risk for chronic diseases. Wide access to genetic insights for embryos can also help extend lifespan from the earliest stages of life. While more than half of all deaths annually in the U.S. are attributed to chronic, age-related conditions — such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease — research shows embryonic selection can materially help reduce disease risk for these conditions. "We celebrate health optimization and the pursuit of longevity in every other part of life via our focus on training, supplements, and sleep," Sadeghi said. "We all know health isn't just the absence of disease. It's the ability to understand our bodies and genetic makeup to reach our full potential. Now we can apply this principle to life's inception." About Nucleus Genomics Nucleus builds software for generational health. Inspired by the loss of his cousin who died of a rare — yet preventable — genetic disease, Nucleus founder and Thiel Fellow Kian Sadeghi left an Ivy League university to build a product that could have saved her life. Our advanced DNA health test and analysis takes the guesswork out of your health, whether it's perfecting your protocols, knowing your risk for cancer, or planning for a healthy family. Follow us on social media @nucleusgenomics. About Genomic Prediction Genomic Prediction, Inc. is the frontrunner in advanced embryo screening. Our proprietary LifeView platform is state-of-the-art technology that assesses embryos for genetic health aimed at improved IVF outcomes. The LifeView Embryo Health Score Test (EHS) offers insight into the likelihood of developing conditions driven by multiple genes. It tests for significant health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, certain cancers, and mental health conditions. The EHS results are derived from the same embryo sample used in the following PGT tests: PGT-A: Identifies chromosome abnormalities in embryos. PGT-A+: Pinpoints the origin (paternal, maternal, or embryonic) of chromosome abnormalities. PGT-M: Decreases the chances of passing on monogenic (single-gene) conditions. PGT-SR: Detects chromosome abnormalities and structural imbalances, providing clarity between normal and balanced chromosomes. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Nucleus
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
IVF parents are spending thousands to predict their babies' chances of having Alzheimer's, cancer and heart disease
Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's … genetic optimization? Prospective parents using in vitro fertilization (IVF) will soon be able to select embryos based on their potential risk for diseases — including illnesses that develop later in life — thanks to a groundbreaking $5,999 service announced this week by a US biotech company. 'Before there's a heartbeat, there's DNA,' Kian Sadeghi, founder and chief executive of Nucleus Genomics, said in a statement. 'One file containing DNA and genetic markers can tell you more about your baby's future than any other test a doctor could possibly run at this stage.' The popular fertility treatment involves removing eggs from a woman's ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a lab. The resulting embryo — which could be frozen or fresh — is placed into the uterus, where it hopefully implants in the uterine wall and sparks a pregnancy. Before implantation, many IVF clinics already screen embryos for genetic abnormalities — such as extra chromosomes or gene mutations — that can lead to failed implantations, miscarriages, birth defects or inherited disorders. But the first-of-its-kind service from Nucleus Genomics takes things a step further. The company just launched Nucleus Embryo, a new software platform that lets potential parents dig deep into the full genetic blueprint of their embryos before choosing which one to implant. The tool lets IVF patients compare the DNA of up to 20 embryos, screening them for more than 900 conditions — including Alzheimer's, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and several forms of cancer. It doesn't stop there. The program also flags potential mental health conditions like depression and schizophrenia and even ranks cognitive traits like IQ. Parents can also get a look at cosmetic and physical features, from height, baldness and BMI to eye and hair color. The company isn't promising perfection. Instead, the software generates a so-called polygenic risk score that will give parents the probability of how likely it is an embryo might develop certain traits or diseases. Ultimately, it's up to the parents to decide which qualities matter most to them. For those looking to decode the results, genetic counseling sessions are available. 'Lifespan has dramatically increased in the last 150 years,' Sadeghi told the Wall Street Journal. 'DNA testing to predict and reduce chronic disease can make it happen again.' The practice, known as polygenic embryo screening, is already highly controversial in the medical world, according to a report published by Harvard Law School's Petrie-Flom Center. Critics warn that allowing parents to screen embryos for risks like depression or diabetes could deepen stigma and discrimination against people living with those conditions. Meanwhile, disability advocates argue it promotes the harmful idea that disability is something to be fixed, not a natural part of human diversity. And when it comes to choosing embryos for traits like intelligence or athleticism, critics say we're sliding into designer baby territory — a modern form of eugenics that favors the rich, reinforcing social and healthcare inequalities. Still, the public appears open to some aspects of the tech. A 2023 survey found that 77% of Americans support using it to screen embryos for the likelihood of developing certain physical conditions, while 72% back screening for mental health risks. Proponents argue it's no different from vaccination — a preventive tool, not a judgment on those with the condition. But when it comes to non-medical traits, support drops fast: only 36% back screening embryos for behavioral traits and just 30% for physical features like height or eye color.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
IVF parents are spending thousands to predict their babies' chances of having Alzheimer's, cancer and heart disease
Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's … genetic optimization? Prospective parents using in vitro fertilization (IVF) will soon be able to select embryos based on their potential risk for diseases — including illnesses that develop later in life — thanks to a groundbreaking $5,999 service announced this week by a US biotech company. 'Before there's a heartbeat, there's DNA,' Kian Sadeghi, founder and chief executive of Nucleus Genomics, said in a statement. 'One file containing DNA and genetic markers can tell you more about your baby's future than any other test a doctor could possibly run at this stage.' 4 Supporters say screening could prevent chronic illness, but critics warn it may fuel stigma and inequality. New Africa – What is IVF? The popular fertility treatment involves removing eggs from a woman's ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a lab. The resulting embryo — which could be frozen or fresh — is placed into the uterus, where it hopefully implants in the uterine wall and sparks a pregnancy. Before implantation, many IVF clinics already screen embryos for genetic abnormalities — such as extra chromosomes or gene mutations — that can lead to failed implantations, miscarriages, birth defects or inherited disorders. But the first-of-its-kind service from Nucleus Genomics takes things a step further. Build-a-baby The company just launched Nucleus Embryo, a new software platform that lets potential parents dig deep into the full genetic blueprint of their embryos before choosing which one to implant. 4 The number of Americans using IVF has skyrocketed over the last decade. – The tool lets IVF patients compare the DNA of up to 20 embryos, screening them for more than 900 conditions — including Alzheimer's, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and several forms of cancer. It doesn't stop there. The program also flags potential mental health conditions like depression and schizophrenia and even ranks cognitive traits like IQ. Parents can also get a look at cosmetic and physical features, from height, baldness and BMI to eye and hair color. The company isn't promising perfection. Instead, the software generates a so-called polygenic risk score that will give parents the probability of how likely it is an embryo might develop certain traits or diseases. 4 Many IVF clinics already screen for certain genetic risk factors, like an abnormal number of chromosomes. Charlize Davids/ – Ultimately, it's up to the parents to decide which qualities matter most to them. For those looking to decode the results, genetic counseling sessions are available. 'Lifespan has dramatically increased in the last 150 years,' Sadeghi told the Wall Street Journal. 'DNA testing to predict and reduce chronic disease can make it happen again.' A new era of reproductive tech The practice, known as polygenic embryo screening, is already highly controversial in the medical world, according to a report published by Harvard Law School's Petrie-Flom Center. Critics warn that allowing parents to screen embryos for risks like depression or diabetes could deepen stigma and discrimination against people living with those conditions. Meanwhile, disability advocates argue it promotes the harmful idea that disability is something to be fixed, not a natural part of human diversity. And when it comes to choosing embryos for traits like intelligence or athleticism, critics say we're sliding into designer baby territory — a modern form of eugenics that favors the rich, reinforcing social and healthcare inequalities. 4 Few Americans approve of using the technology to predict traits unrelated to disease. Gemyful – Still, the public appears open to some aspects of the tech. A 2023 survey found that 77% of Americans support using it to screen embryos for the likelihood of developing certain physical conditions, while 72% back screening for mental health risks. Proponents argue it's no different from vaccination — a preventive tool, not a judgment on those with the condition. But when it comes to non-medical traits, support drops fast: only 36% back screening embryos for behavioral traits and just 30% for physical features like height or eye color.
TechCrunch
4 days ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Genetics testing startup Nucleus Genomics criticized for its embryo product: ‘Makes me so nauseous'
Nucleus Genomics, a genetic testing startup founded by 25-year-old Kian Sadeghi, initially launched in 2021 with the goal of calculating a patient's risk for specific diseases. But it's been courting controversy for years with products that claim to tell people how their genetics correlate to a host of complex issues, including their IQ. On Wednesday, it ratcheted up the controversy to an ear-splitting level when it announced a new product called Nucleus Embryo with a tweet that said: 'Every parent wants to give their children more than they had. For the first time in human history, Nucleus adds a new tool to that commitment.' Every parent wants to give their children more than they had. For the first time in human history, Nucleus adds a new tool to that commitment. Welcome to Nucleus — Nucleus Genomics (@nucleusgenomics) June 4, 2025 Nucleus says it can test IVF embryos not just for well-known specific genes that have a high chance of illnesses like breast cancer, but also for appearance — sex, height, hair color, eye color — as well as IQ and complex health attributes like anxiety and ADHD. The launch video includes a screen shot of a comparison menu. The idea is to help parents choose which embryos to pick and which ones to, perhaps, discard. Nucleus Genomics embryos features screen Image Credits:Nucleus Genomics (opens in a new window) Genetic testing of embryos isn't unheard of. IVF physicians can test for genes that can cause conditions like Down syndrome, or when parents know they are of high risk for a particular genetic disorder, like cystic fibrosis. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW But that's not exactly what Nucleus is doing. It is using controversial 'polygenic scores' to determine 'complex genetic outcomes, like intelligence and anxiety,' a spokesperson says. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, polygenic scores only calculate the probabilities of a certain complex illness occurring, mainly within populations. 'A polygenic risk score can only explain the relative risk for a disease,' the NHGR says. This is not the same as discovering a specific gene, such as for example the BRCA1 gene mutation, which gives a person a 60-80% 'absolute risk of breast cancer,' the NHGR says. There's a reason doctors don't typically use such tests for individuals. 'Polygenic risk scores are not yet routinely used by health professionals because there are no guidelines for practice and researchers are still improving how these scores are generated,' according to the NHGR. Nucleus defends that its method can be used to determine an individual's risk. The spokesperson pointed us to a 2018 paper where the authors said they had developed validated methods for five common diseases: coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and breast cancer. That paper was advocating screenings to help individuals make lifestyle or therapeutic decisions, similar to Nucleus's initial concept. Wednesday's tweet was promising parents that Nucleus can help them create designer babies. It has now been viewed more than 4 million times and has hundreds of comments, many of them either expressing disbelief that this works as promised, or horror at the idea. One VC chimed into the discussion saying, 'I was going to type something like Noah get the boat but honestly the reality of this just makes me so nauseous.' I was going to type something like Noah get the boat but honestly the reality of this just makes me so nauseous — Max Niederhofer ❤️🔥 (@maxniederhofer) June 5, 2025 Nucleus has experienced this kind of controversy before, as TechCrunch previously reported, when it its $14 million series A earlier this year. The startup is backed by Founders Fund, Alexis Ohanian's 776, and angels including Adrian Aoun (CEO at Forward Health), Brent Saunders (former CEO at Allergan), and Matteo Franceschetti (CEO at Eight Sleep). Last year, Sadeghi launched Nucleus IQ, which is supposed to tell users how much their genetics influence intelligence. The product was blasted as 'bad science and big business' by some critics. Sadeghi published a lengthy defense of his company's methodology. Even so, telling adults that they are genetically smart is one thing. Telling IVF parents that they can choose the appearance and other complex attributes for their children is, many would argue, something else. Nucleus is not currently conducting such tests via IVF lab partners itself, The Wall Street Journal reports. It's partnering with Genomic Prediction, which works with IVF clinics. A Genomic executive told the WSJ that many parents request intelligence tests, and it doesn't provide that. Parents can voluntarily upload genetic data information to Nucleas if they want to pursue it. Or, as Sadeghi said in the launch video aimed at would-be parents: 'Not that long ago IVF-1 sparked fear and the stigma of test tube babies,' he said. 'What was once controversial is now an everyday practice. The same is true with genetic optimization. The technology is now here and it's here to stay.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
New IVF technology allows parents to decide how their child will look: All you need to know about it
Image credits: Getty Images Being able to carry your child and bring them into the world is a special feeling that many describe as life-changing. However, many women are not able to experience this event due to physical and health reasons. The technology of In-vitro fertilization, also known as "test-tube babies" was invented in the late 1970s and 1970s to help women struggling to conceive. The first IVF baby was born in 1978 and was named Louise Brown. Until recently, IVF involved the fertilization of an egg with a sperm in a lab and then transferring the resulting embryo into the woman's uterus. But now, a new IVF technology allows parents to decide the genetic makeup of their child. Yes, Nucleus Genomics, a US-based DNA testing and analysis company has announced the world's first genetic optimization software that "helps parents pursuing IVF see and understand the complete genetic profile of each of their embryos." Why does this technology matter? Image credits: Getty Images The technology can be really impactful as according to the company it can analyse the genetic makeup of embryos to test for up to 900 conditions including diabetes, cancer and heart disease. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Thus, by choosing embryos with the lowest risk profiles, parents can ensure the longevity of their child's life and ensure that they are healthy. "Nucleus Embryo is the first-ever genetic optimization software that helps parents give their children the best possible start in life—long before they're even born," said the company on X. How will the process take place? Image credits: Getty Images If you are prospective parents interested in getting their embryos analysed then you can upload up to 20 embryo DNA files from your IVF clinics for over 900 genetic analyses. After the analysis is completed, the company will provide the clients with a detailed report showing the results. "Sort, compare, and choose your embryos based on what matters most to you," said the company. The analyses not only include health conditions but also cognitive ability, mental health risks such as depression and anxiety disorders, BMI and even IQ-related markers. Additionally, demo pictures shared by the company also show that the parents will be able to decide the child's eye and hair colour as well. Should you do it? Image credits: Getty Images The practice raises ethical concerns about choosing embryos based on probabilities but Kian Sadeghi, the 25-year-old founder of the company said to the Wall Street Journal that he finds no distinction between people using DNA tests to understand their own risks and those screening embryos to select one that is likely to have a longer life. "It is the same underlying motivation," Sadeghi said. "It is about living a longer, healthier life." "The longevity movement is about taking medicine back and putting it in the people's hands," he added. "Why would that not apply now to the most intimate, personal, emotional, sensitive decision you will make? Picking your baby." One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
