The UK National Health Service is piloting these scores as a way to identify adults who have a high risk of developing heart disease. The idea is that physicians can recommend lifestyle changes and routine screening to those with high risk scores. But researchers are still grappling with the limitations of these scores, says Peter Visser at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. One issue is that genetic variation can explain only a proportion of the total risk. Environmental factors such as diet or air quality, for example, are also important contributors.
Companies are offering genetic tests of embryos generated by in vitro fertilization that they say allow prospective parents to choose those with the lowest risk for diseases such as diabetes or certain cancers. However, some researchers are concerned about the accuracy and ethics of these tests.
This is an audio version of our Feature: The controversial embryo tests that promise a better baby
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