U.S. Company Launches First Embryo ‘Optimization’ Platform for IVF Parents

Photo: American Pregnancy Association

JUNE 6, 2025 — Parents undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) are now being offered the option to select embryos based on preferred traits such as gender, height, eye and hair color. The remaining embryos will be discarded.

In a June 4 post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Nucleus Embryo announced the launching of the program with a post stating, “Every parent wants to give their children more than they had. For the first time in human history, Nucleus adds a new tool to that commitment. Welcome to Nucleus Embryo.”

The system allows users to screen and compare up to 20 embryos for more than 900 inherited conditions and more than 1,000 additional traits. These include not only the aforementioned bodily characteristics, but also risks for disease and even projected cognitive ability and potential lifespan.

This development has further stoked ethical concerns over the practice of IVF and the ability to select embryos, now with the added-on opportunity for optimization.

The service launches as U.S. birth rates continue to plummet – down 20% over the past 15 years – prompting increased use of assisted reproductive technologies. Today, roughly one in every 50 American children is born through IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies.

Previously, the UOJ’s Ukrainian Branch (SPZh) reported that the world’s first computer based on human neurons had gone on sale.

Fr. Gabriel Bunge: From Benedictine Monk to Orthodox Hermit

Steeped in the writings of Evagrius Ponticus, Swiss Benedictine Gabriel Bunge converted to Russian Orthodoxy in 2010 and became Schiarchimandrite Gabriel, guiding souls through prayer and patristic wisdom from his Alpine skete.

Abp. Elpidophoros Honored at Record-Breaking Gala

Organizers hailed the milestone as a testament to unity, with a 25% increase over last year's giving.

Greek Abbot: LGBT Ideology Signals Antichrist's Approach

Fr. Dositheos told the UOJ that imposing LGBT ideology through education is a "war against God," signals the Antichrist's approach, and surpasses Sodom's depravity, urging repentance and a return to Orthodox roots.

Abp. Elpidophoros "Excited" about Orthodox-Miaphysite Dialogue

At Brookline conference, Archbishop Elpidophoros claimed that Orthodox and Miaphysites simply express the same beliefs in different ways.

Catholic Bishops Oppose Trump's Threat to Invade Nigeria

Abp. Ignatius Kaigama rejects U.S. President Trump's threat of airstrikes to protect Nigerian Christians, warning it would harm Christian-Muslim coexistence and urging diplomatic support, funding disruptions, and security training instead.

UOC-KP Dioceses Reject Filaret’s 'Coerced' OCU Meeting, Defends Independence

UOC-KP dioceses in Odesa-Balta and Sumy denounce Patriarch Filaret's November 5, 2025, meeting with OCU head Epifaniy Dumenko as coerced through abduction and psychotropic influence, vowing to defend the independent Kyiv Patriarchate and its primate's testament against dissolution attempts.