The Economist: ‘A spate of startups offer screening services that allow couples having children via in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to assess embryos based on their genetic risk of diseases such as breast cancer and diabetes.’

And: ‘A wave of investment means that the cost of IVF is likely to fall. If offered embryo screening at the same time, many couples will take it. One survey suggests that three-quarters of Americans support screening embryos for diseases; about a third say the same for non-disease traits. And that is before competitive pressure kicks in. Who wants to see their child bested by genetically selected classmates?’

Also: ‘Couples desperate for a clever child might be better advised to focus on what happens after birth.’

Yes, but parenting is difficult; screening embryos is easier. Especially if it costs less than spending two weeks on a Caribbean island.

The competition has only just begun.

(a sf 2208)