ESHRE Webinar

organised by the ESHRE Special Interest Group Reproductive Genetics

Type

Basic

Learning objectives

• How are genome sequencing and polygenic risk scores being used to predict disease risk and select IVF embryos?
• What do these screens promise, and what are their limitations?
• What ethical, social, and clinical concerns arise?
• How do IVF patients, physicians, genetic counselors, affected individuals, and the public view the technology?
• How do attitudes differ by country or demographic?
• What are the implications for policy, education gaps, and patient-provider conflict, and what solutions are being proposed?
  
  

Course description

Polygenic embryo screening (PES) allows screening of IVF embryos for risk of complex diseases like heart attack, diabetes, schizophrenia, and most cancers. Though already offered by several labs, it remains controversial due to unclear clinical utility and ethical concerns. Recent studies show strong support among the public and fertility patients, often driven by self-interest, while healthcare professionals express significant concerns. This webinar brings together experts from four countries to present research on stakeholder attitudes. It will include a brief background, five short presentations on key groups, and a moderated panel discussion to explore findings and implications. 

Target audience

Embryologists, Clinical geneticists, Genetic counsellors, Physicians, Ethicists, Policy makers

Needs assessment

Polygenic embryo screening is a new technology already offered by several U.S. labs but restricted elsewhere. It raises ethical concerns and may cause conflict between patients and providers. An October 2024 webinar explored its clinical utility and ethical issues but didn’t cover stakeholder attitudes. Over two years, major progress has been made in understanding views across groups and countries. Summarising this research can fill an educational gap. Learning about stakeholder attitudes can help professionals anticipate demand, understand patient needs, and identify educational gaps. Addressing these gaps is vital for evidence-based care and managing expectations about PES.

Expected educational outcomes

By the end of the session, participants will understand how PES predict disease risk and inform IVF embryo selection. They will explain the technology’s benefits, limitations, and associated ethical, social, and clinical concerns. Participants will gain awareness of stakeholder attitudes and how these vary across countries and demographics. They will also identify policy and education implications, anticipate patient-provider conflicts, and consider strategies for delivering evidence-based reproductive care.

Programme

Please note that times are shown in Central European Time (CET)

Practicalities

Participants will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access the webinar (Zoom). Participants can obtain a certificate of attendance after watching the webinar on the eCampus platform. The recording will become available on the eCampus platform after the webinar took place. There will only be 500 places available to follow live.