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MANHASSET, NY: Genetic testing has been part of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process for three decades and allows parents to screen embryos for illnesses. Yet, a new technique - polygenic embryo screening (PES) - has some scientists concerned. Todd Lencz, PhD, professor in the Institute of Behavioral Science at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, and 17 others from the Ethics Committee of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics (ISPG), expressed concern in about PES services for psychiatric conditions for both scientific and ethical reasons.

Todd Lencz, PhD, professor in the Feinstein Institutes’ Institute of Behavioral Science, co-authors concerns about embryo screening. (Credit: The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research)

Reproductive geneticists have been able to identify rare, serious genetic disorders like Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis prior to implantation of embryos in women undergoing IVF. But there is little existing research or ethical discussion concerning its risks and benefits of PES, even though it is already commercially available.

In PES, each embryo derived from a cycle of IVF is densely genotyped, using DNA microarrays or sequencing, and the genotype data are used to generate polygenic risk scores (PRSs) to estimate the risk of a disease or the potential phenotypic value of a quantitative trait for each embryo. A prospective parent can then select which embryo(s) to implant on the basis of these PRSs.

“The human genome holds great promise to identify risk factors for complex and serious diseases, but without more research into polygenic embryo screening, it is unlikely that medical providers and the general public will have sufficient understanding to evaluate its pros and cons,” said Dr. Lencz, who is first author of the paper. (AP)

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WINTER HAVEN, Fla: Assure Infusions, Inc, a new company that launched earlier this year to produce IV fluid products, is building a manufacturing plant in Bartow, Florida. The 60,000-square-foot-facility - scheduled to open in 2023 - will be fully automated with advanced robotics to make IV fluids that are in high demand in the US healthcare system.

“We’re excited to share our plans to build a state-of-theart pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Central Florida,” said Alex Lucio, CEO of Assure Infusions. “Having readily available IV fluids is critical for quality healthcare, but unfortunately, there is often a shortage of these products in the US due to a lack of domestic manufacturing, supply chain issues and production limitations of current manufacturers.”

Assure Infusions’ new facility will showcase the company as a highly-advanced, innovative new player in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The facility will create over 100 high-paying jobs and will provide high-quality IV fluid products for hospitals and healthcare facilities in Florida and beyond.

“In addition to creating over 100 new high-skill, high-wage jobs in Polk County, Assure Infusions will help ensure hospitals and healthcare facilities can function without interruption by providing a steady and stable supply of IV fluid products,” Lucio said. (AP)