Embryo screening: How a high-tech new fertility intervention is fueling debate

An American tech company is offering in-depth embryo screening to maximise the chance of a healthy baby. But Irish fertility specialists warn about the potential for social engineering and point to established tests which screen for genetic conditions

American technology company Orchid Health claims it can help parents maximise the chances of their children being born healthy by using a process called whole genome sequencing on embryos.

Ask anyone who is expecting a baby if they are hoping for a boy or girl and the response you get is almost always the same — their prime concern is that it doesn’t matter as long as the baby is healthy.

American technology company Orchid Health claims it can help parents maximise the chances of their children being born healthy by using a process called whole genome sequencing on embryos.