Origin AI forecasts embryonic illness risk

In a first for the IVF sector, Nucleus Genomics recently unveiled Origin, a suite of AI models that use embryonic DNA analysis to forecast risks for diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. The technology is also open-sourced. The specifics: Origin claims to lower disease risks by more than 50% by scanning 7M genetic markers with algorithms developed on 1.5M individuals. With collaborations in several major cities, parents can purchase a $30,000 "IVF+" package that screens embryos for 2,000 genetic characteristics and nine diseases. Prostate and breast cancer, Alzheimer's, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions can all be anticipated. Additionally, the business introduced the first open-weights system in the industry with its Genetic Optimization Hub, which provides access to data, models, and measurements. Although the open-weights release will hopefully enable others to bring AI's predictive capabilities to a new era of reproductive genetics, the ethics of the technology (especially given the price) will continue to be controversial. The price point certainly makes the screening inaccessible to the average person.