Many object to embryo selection because they mistakenly believe it involves altering genes. In reality, the technology simply reveals information about natural genetic variations already present in IVF embryos, allowing parents to choose, not tinker.

Up to 40% of natural conceptions are spontaneously aborted, often before a woman knows she's pregnant. This is typically the body's way of rejecting embryos with severe genetic abnormalities. This natural process provides a powerful biological precedent for the practice of pre-implantation genetic screening.

The controversy and business opportunity in polygenic embryo selection lie in interpreting genetic data, not in the physical sequencing. Companies are competing on the quality and scope of their predictive models for health and traits, which they apply to data from established lab processes.

The burgeoning field of polygenic risk scores is dangerously unregulated, with some well-capitalized companies selling products that are 'no better than chance.' The key differentiator is rigorous, public validation of their predictive models, especially across ancestries, a step many firms skip.

Fears of a return to 1940s-style eugenics are misplaced when focusing on individual reproductive choices. The critical distinction is between government-forced programs and individuals making informed decisions. Preserving individual autonomy is the key safeguard against the historical horrors of coercive eugenics.

The predictive power of embryo screening can be validated without controversial longitudinal studies on children. By testing if models can accurately predict trait differences between adult siblings using only their DNA, companies can prove efficacy for embryos, who are essentially unrealized siblings.

A new innovation allows companies to construct an embryo's entire genome using raw data from a standard Down syndrome test. This means parents can get comprehensive polygenic reports without needing explicit approval from clinics or doctors, effectively democratizing access and removing traditional medical gatekeepers.

Polygenic embryo screening, while controversial, presents a clear economic value proposition. A $3,500 test from Genomic Prediction that lowers Type 2 Diabetes risk by 12% implies that avoiding the disease is worth over $27,000. This reframes the service from 'designer babies' to a rational financial decision for parents.

The ability to select embryos fundamentally changes parenthood from an act of acceptance to one of curation. It introduces the risk of "buyer's remorse," where a parent might resent a child for not living up to their pre-selected potential. This undermines the unconditional love that stems from accepting the child you're given by fate.