NATURE NEWS BLOG
23ANDME
The consumer genetics firm 23andMe was last week awarded a US patent for a method to predict a baby’s traits on the basis of its parents’ DNA, the companyannounced.
23andMe, which is based in Mountain View, California, says that the patent relates to its Family Traits Inheritance Calculator, which “offers an engaging way for you and your partner to see what kind of traits your child might inherit from you” and has been available to customers since 2009.
Yet the patent (PDF here), which was filed more than 5 years ago, includes language that mentions other applications of the method, including for the screening of sperm and ova to be used for in vitro fertilization. The patent mentions the potential to screen would-be babies for traits such as eye colour, disease risk, height and gender.
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