How much would you pay for a smarter baby?

How much would you pay for a smarter baby? That question has sparked debate as Silicon Valley startups push the limits of embryo-screening technology. Nucleus, a New York-based company, recently launched ads on the subway touting "IQ is 50% genetic," generating controversy but also enthusiasm from founder Kian Sadeghi. Orchid, another competitor, offers embryo screening that estimates a baby's height, intelligence and longevity for up to $50,000.

These startups are aiming to reshape human creation, although many jurisdictions, like Britain, ban screening for polygenic conditions such as height or intelligence. Geneticists and doctors remain skeptical of the technology's effectiveness and raise ethical concerns. However, interest in fertility research is surging, with nearly three-quarters of Americans saying they'd use polygenic screening if they were undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Currently, only 100,000 American babies are born through IVF annually, representing 2.8% of total births. The global fertility market is valued at $25-30 billion, but investors like Peter Thiel and Elon Musk are fueling growth. American venture capital investments in fertility companies nearly doubled from 2019 to 2022, reaching $496 million. Startups are also offering fertility insurance and payment plans to reduce costs, which can be as high as $15,000-20,000 per cycle.

The field is evolving rapidly, with PGT-P screening now available, which evaluates embryos based on multiple genetic factors, including height, IQ and certain cancers. A 2023 Science survey found that 43% of IVF participants would use polygenic screening to boost their child's chances of attending an elite university, provided it's safe and affordable. As prices potentially drop due to technological advancements and economies of scale, the market could expand to $400-500 billion annually.