Want a tall, smart child? How IVF tests are selling a dream
Polygenic embryo screening: What the marketing won’t tell you Why you should be cautious about tests that promise to predict your child’s IQ, height or health You may have come across advertisements promising genetic testing that can predict which IVF embryo will become the smartest, tallest, or healthiest child. These tests, called polygenic risk scoring, […]
‘Have your best baby’: Is polygenic embryo screening the way towards designer babies?
Blue eyes. Long limbs. A superior intellect. Fertility clinics in the United States are marketing IVF embryo tests that claim to help parents select for all of this and more. And with some Australian couples already looking overseas to access these services, the question of whether they are worth pursuing – and whether Australia should […]
‘Have a smarter baby’: Australians choosing embryos for IQ, height and hair colour
Polygenic embryo screening in Australia: What you need to know before considering overseas testing Why Australian IVF patients are travelling overseas for unproven genetic testing – and what the evidence actually shows If you’re exploring IVF options in Australia, you may have encountered marketing for overseas genetic testing that claims to rank your embryos by […]
Severe Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) After Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRHa) Triggering
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: Why even the best prevention strategy doesn’t eliminate risk What my research shows about OHSS in high-risk IVF patients – and why individualised monitoring matters If you’re preparing for IVF, your specialist may have spoken to you about ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, or OHSS. It’s one of the more serious potential complications of […]
Why the growth in cannabis products has got fertility experts worried
Cannabis and fertility: Why you should avoid cannabis products if you’re trying to conceive What new research shows about THC and egg health – and why my advice to patients is clear Cannabis use is growing rapidly in Australia. Women are using it for anxiety, for sleep, and increasingly to manage chronic pain conditions like […]
Trump pregnancy warning: What experts say about paracetamol risks
Paracetamol in pregnancy: What you actually need to know when headlines create alarm Understanding the evidence behind claims that paracetamol causes autism – and why media panic isn’t the same as medical guidance When US President Donald Trump told pregnant women to “tough it out” without paracetamol, citing an unproven link to autism, the reaction […]
Gestational diabetes linked to autism in study: what scientists say
A major study involving more than nine million pregnancies has suggested a possible link between gestational diabetes and an increased risk of ADHD and autism in children. A/Prof Alex Polyakov explains that while there appears to be “a signal,” the research cannot prove cause and effect. He highlights that genetics remain the strongest driver of […]
Trump to link Tylenol use in pregnant women to autism as president promises ‘amazing’ announcement
US President Donald Trump made headlines with comments linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism and urged pregnant women to avoid it unless necessary — sparking controversy among scientists and health experts. In The Independent, A/Prof Alex Polyakov weighs in on what the evidence really shows: breaking down what current studies can and can’t tell […]
Mapped: Widows’ access to partners’ sperm varies wildly across Australia
Posthumous sperm use remains uncommon in Australia, usually arising after the sudden and unexpected death of a partner. A/Prof Alex Polyakov, Fertility Specialist and Medical Director at Genea Melbourne City, has seen first-hand how the legal complexities add further strain for those already experiencing grief. He has raised concerns about the unfairness of state-by-state legislation […]
CT scans before conception linked to pregnancy risks
Recent research has suggested a possible link between CT scans before conception and an increased risk of pregnancy loss or congenital anomalies. A/Prof Alex Polyakov notes that while these findings are statistically detectable in large datasets, the differences are modest and may not be clinically meaningful for individual patients. He also highlights that many women […]