A Chinese biotechnology company is stepping up efforts to combine artificial intelligence (AI) with advanced genetic testing in a bid to improve the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF), while also tapping into growing demand for fertility services.
The move comes as China faces a deepening birth rate crisis. The firm, BGI Genomics, says it is developing AI-powered chromosome screening tools designed to make IVF treatments faster, more accurate, and more efficient.
The technology focuses on analyzing embryos before they are implanted, helping doctors select those with the best chances of developing into a healthy pregnancy.
In simple terms, the system uses AI technology to scan embryos for chromosome abnormalities.
Humans typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes, and any imbalance such as missing or extra chromosomes, can lead to failed IVF attempts, miscarriage, or genetic conditions. Traditionally, this kind of testing, known as preimplantation genetic testing, requires skilled specialists and can take time to interpret. By automating much of the analysis, AI can deliver quicker and more consistent results.
According to the company, its AI models are trained on large datasets of genetic information, allowing them to detect subtle patterns that may be difficult for human analysts to spot.
This means clinics can make faster decisions about which embryos to implant, potentially shortening treatment cycles and reducing the emotional and financial strain on patients who often undergo multiple IVF attempts.
The move comes as China’s fertility industry is gaining attention amid a sharp decline in birth rates. In recent years, the number of newborns in China has fallen to record lows, raising concerns about long-term economic growth and an aging population.
Despite the government easing its long-standing family planning policies including allowing families to have more children many couples remain reluctant to start or expand families due to high living costs, career pressures, and changing social attitudes.
As a result, more people are turning to assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF. Demand has been rising steadily, especially among older couples who may face greater fertility challenges. This has created a rapidly growing market for fertility clinics and related services, where success rates and efficiency are key competitive factors.
By integrating AI into chromosome testing, companies such as BGI Genomics are aiming to improve those success rates while also scaling up operations. Faster testing means clinics can handle more patients, while higher success rates can enhance reputation and attract new clients. Together, these factors could significantly boost revenues in a sector that is becoming increasingly commercialised.
At the same time, the use of AI in such sensitive areas raises important ethical and regulatory questions. Genetic data is highly personal, and experts warn that strict safeguards are needed to protect patient privacy and ensure that the technology is not misused.
There are also broader concerns about how far embryo selection should go, and where the line should be drawn between medical necessity and preference.
Chinese authorities have been strengthening oversight of the fertility sector in recent years, aiming to balance innovation with ethical standards. As AI-driven tools become more common, regulators are expected to play a larger role in setting guidelines and ensuring patient safety.
Analysts say the combination of AI and reproductive medicine could reshape the future of fertility treatment, not just in China but globally. If successful, the technology could make IVF more accessible, reduce repeated procedures, and improve outcomes for millions of families.
For China, the stakes are particularly high. While technological advances alone are unlikely to reverse the country’s declining birth rate, they may help address some of the medical barriers to childbirth. In that sense, innovations such as AI-powered chromosome testing are emerging as one small but significant piece of a much larger demographic challenge.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees progress between Israel and Lebanon after talks with Netanyahu, while Hezbollah has rejected a new ceasefire ...
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations ag...
Azerbaijan is once again at the centre of global climate diplomacy, hosting World Environment Day 2026 and bringing together international leaders, po...
The Eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly has concluded in Samarkand, bringing together representatives from 186 countries to set environm...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tchiani in Ankara on Thursday, underscoring Türkiye’s growing engag...
Chinese carmakers are rapidly reshaping the global automotive market, with record exports, soaring electric vehicle sales and growing investments overseas putting pressure on established European, Japanese and U.S. rivals.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea on 8-9 June, marking his first trip to the country in nearly seven years as Beijing seeks to strengthen relations with its long-time ally.
Energy debates usually follow a familiar script. Markets, climate, renewables, oil, gas, batteries, hydrogen, critical minerals and geopolitics dominate the conversation. One of the world's largest energy consumers is often left outside that frame: the military.
China has criticised planned maritime boundary discussions between Japan and the Philippines, arguing that the waters involved fall within an area where Beijing claims maritime rights and jurisdiction.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said in a statement that its Aerospace Force did not strike the Kuwait Airport passenger terminal on Wednesday, and that the destruction was instead caused by a failed U.S. Patriot missile.
Five Azerbaijani citizens have been killed and three others injured following drone attacks on two cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire after U.S.-backed talks in Washington. The deal requires Hezbollah to halt attacks and withdraw from southern Lebanon, while both sides will resume direct talks later this month aimed at reaching a broader agreement.
As Armenia heads toward parliamentary elections on 7 June, the country's relationship with Azerbaijan is emerging as one of the defining issues of the campaign, with analysts and international observers highlighting the role of regional politics in shaping voters’ mindsets.
Armenia will hold parliamentary elections on 7 June 2026, a vote that will shape the country’s political direction for the next five years. Understanding how the electoral system converts votes into parliamentary power is key to following the outcome and its wider regional implications.
Protesters in Nanyuki blocked roads and burned tyres after residents challenged a U.S. plan to house Americans exposed to Ebola at a nearby military base.
Global health organisation CEPI will provide around $60 million to Moderna and two other partners to speed up the development of vaccines targeting the Ebola Bundibugyo strain, which is currently driving an outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be significantly larger than official figures suggest, following a visit to the country where he briefed President Felix Tshisekedi on the ongoing response.
Four nurses have recovered and been discharged after receiving treatment for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.
The World Health Organisation’s designation of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is a stark reminder that Ebola remains a persistent global health threat rather than a disease of the past.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment