Aella's Mother's Passing at 66 Fuels Public Decision for Embryo Selection

Social media figure Aella recently announced her decision to pursue embryo selection for her future children, a choice deeply influenced by the recent death of her mother. Her mother passed away at 66 from complications stemming from a genetic disorder, a personal tragedy Aella shared publicly on December 3, 2025. "Last week I got to be with my mom as she died from complications resulting from a genetic disorder. She was 66 and I loved her very much," Aella stated in her tweet, adding, "This is why I'm doing embryo selection. I'll do anything to reduce the chances of my children suffering and dying like this."

Embryo selection, often performed through preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), allows prospective parents undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities before implantation. This technology aims to identify embryos free from specific genetic diseases or chromosomal disorders, thereby reducing the risk of passing on inherited conditions. The process has become increasingly sophisticated, moving beyond single-gene disorders to include polygenic screening.

Advancements in genetic screening, exemplified by companies like Orchid, now enable the assessment of embryos for hundreds of conditions, including complex polygenic traits like heart disease and certain mental health risks. In April 2025, the New York Times reported that some form of PGT is utilized in over half of IVF cycles in the United States, typically costing $3,000 to $5,000 per batch of embryos. Recent medical breakthroughs, such as mitochondrial donation therapy in the UK and bespoke CRISPR treatments for rare disorders, further highlight the rapid evolution of genetic interventions.

The growing capabilities of embryo selection have ignited ongoing ethical debates, with discussions often touching on concerns about "designer babies" and eugenics. While critics raise questions about the implications of selecting for certain traits, proponents emphasize its role in preventing severe inherited diseases and alleviating suffering. For individuals like Aella, the technology offers a profound personal solution to mitigate the risk of genetic conditions impacting their families.