Nucleus Genomics has launched Nucleus Embryo, genetic optimization software that promises to give IVF patients unprecedented control over embryo selection. The platform analyzes embryos across over 900 hereditary conditions while extending into controversial territory by assessing appearance, cognitive ability, and mental health traits.
The startup, founded by Kian Sadeghi, partnered with established embryo screening company Genomic Prediction to bring the software to market. Unlike traditional genetic testing that focuses on serious medical conditions, Nucleus Embryo allows parents to compare up to 20 embryos based on complex characteristics that venture well beyond standard viability assessments.
“Before there’s a heartbeat, there’s DNA,” said Sadeghi in a release. “One file containing DNA and genetic markers can tell you more about your baby’s future than any other test a doctor could possibly run at this stage. Most clinics stop at whether an embryo will develop. For many parents, that’s not enough. Patients have long asked for more transparency from clinics, and Nucleus Embryo is an important step toward complete data ownership for parents planning their families.” In the company’s launch video on YouTube, Sadeghi also highlights what he calls his “favorite feature: you can even name your embryos and leave notes on the ones you like.”
The platform represents a significant shift from conventional embryo screening, which typically focuses on chromosomal abnormalities and known genetic disorders. Nucleus Embryo employs polygenic scoring methods to evaluate complex traits, though these scores are designed to assess population-level risk patterns rather than predict individual outcomes.
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, polygenic scores can only explain the relative risk for a disease and primarily work within populations, not for individual predictions. This hasn’t deterred Nucleus from positioning its technology as giving parents the tools to optimize their children’s genetic potential from conception.
“We celebrate health optimization and the pursuit of longevity in every other part of life via our focus on training, supplements, and sleep,” Sadeghi said. “Now we can apply this principle to life’s inception.”
The launch timing capitalizes on growing IVF utilization as birth rates decline. With many women in the U.S. undergoing three to six IVF cycles costing up to $25,000 each, the pressure to maximize success rates creates demand for additional selection criteria beyond basic viability.
“As an organization, we are committed to supporting patients’ rights to their DNA and any information that can aid in their family-building journey,” said Kelly Ketterson, CEO of Genomic Prediction.
However, the approach raises fundamental questions about where genetic medicine should draw ethical lines. While testing for serious hereditary conditions has become standard practice, expanding selection criteria to include intelligence, appearance, and personality traits ventures into “designer baby” territory that many find deeply uncomfortable.
The company has faced previous scrutiny over its genetic intelligence testing offerings. Nucleus secured $14 million in Series A funding earlier this year from investors including Founders Fund and Alexis Ohanian’s 776.
Currently, Nucleus doesn’t conduct tests directly through IVF laboratories. Instead, parents can voluntarily upload genetic data to the platform after working with Genomic Prediction’s standard screening services. This structure creates a pathway for parents seeking expanded analysis while maintaining some distance from traditional clinical practice.
The launch reflects broader tensions in reproductive technology as companies push beyond medical necessity into lifestyle optimization. Whether this represents genuine advancement in family planning or troubling commodification of human genetics may depend largely on how the technology develops – and how the industry chooses to regulate itself.
