People who use IVF (in vitro fertilization) will soon be able to rank embryos using genetic and other information in the hopes of extending the longevity of their offspring, according to the 25-year-old entrepreneur behind Nucleus Genomics, a DNA testing and analysis company.
Nucleus plans to charge $5,999 for an analysis of up to 900 conditions, including diseases that occur later in life and are major causes of death in older people such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and cancers. The company will analyze up to 20 embryos.
IVF usage has surged globally, with the market growing from $19.6-25.3 billion in 2023 to an estimated $26.7-28.2 billion by 2025, and projected to reach $35-38 billion by 2030. Leading countries like Israel, Japan, and Denmark excel in per capita utilization due to supportive policies, while costs remain a key determinant of access, ranging from heavily subsidized in Israel to over $12,000 per cycle in the US. This growth trajectory underscores the increasing role of IVF in addressing infertility worldwide, shaped by technological, economic, and social factors.
There are estimated to be about 800,000 babies born via IVF in 2025.
Top Countries for IVF are
China: ~300,000 to 400,000
Japan: ~150,000 to 200,000
United States: ~110,000 to 120,000
The embryos are given probabilities for the likelihood they will get these chronic conditions. It is up to the parents to decide the qualities most important to them when choosing which embryos to use. They can book sessions with genetic counselors if they want to discuss the results.
Parents get the full analysis of their frozen embryos—each embryo’s probability of having some 900 diseases, as well as information about their appearance (male pattern baldness, eye color, hair color), IQ, and more.
Prior Related Work for Visual Data for Embryo Selection
In 2021, KTU researchers lead by Dr Raudonis, developed an automated method for early-stage embryo evaluation. The method is based on processing the visual data collected by photographing the developing embryo every five minutes from seven different sides for up to five days. Up to 20,000 images are generated during the image-capturing process. To evaluate them all manually would be an impossible task for the embryologist in charge of the procedure.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
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