A U.S. startup company is reportedly offering wealthy couples the chance to screen their embryos for IQ and other favorable genetic traits, which has raised ethical concerns.

Heliospect Genomics is charging up to $50,000 to test 100 embryos and claims their technology can help couples undergoing IVF pick children with IQ scores six points higher or more over babies conceived naturally, The Guardian reports. 

The company has already worked with more than a dozen couples, undercover video footage reviewed by the outlet reveals. 

"Everyone can have all the children they want, and they can have children that are basically disease-free, smart, healthy; it’s going to be great," CEO Michael Christensen said on a video call in November 2023, according to the report. The call was recorded by an undercover researcher for Hope Not Hate, an antifascist group that works to "expose and oppose far-right extremism." 

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On the call, Heliospect employees reportedly walk prospective parents through the experimental genetic selection techniques advertised by the company. One employee explained how couples could use polygenic scoring to rank up to 100 embryos based on "IQ and the other naughty traits that everybody wants," including sex, height, risk of obesity and risk of mental illness, according to The Guardian.

Heliospect says its prediction tools use data from UK Biobank, a publicly funded genetic repository with half a million British volunteers. The database permits approved researchers and scientists around the world to access it for "health-related research that is in the public interest." 

United Kingdom law prohibits parents from selecting embryos on the basis of predicted high IQ, but the practice is currently legal in the U.S., even if the technology is not yet commercially available. 

Expert geneticists and bioethicists told The Guardian the prospect of selecting embryos for favorable genetic traits is ethically questionable since it could reinforce the idea of "superior" and "inferior" genetics. Hope Not Hate went further in its own reporting, tying a handful of Heliospect employees to people and publications that have purportedly promoted so-called scientific racism, or the contested belief that human races have innately different levels of physical, intellectual and moral development determined by their genetics.

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Katie Hasson, associate director of the Center for Genetics and Society in California, warned in comments to The Guardian that embryo selection technology could mainstream "the belief that inequality comes from biology rather than social causes."

Heliospect Genomics did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Heliospect managers told The Guardian the U.S.-based company operates within the bounds of all applicable law and regulations. The company said it is currently in "stealth mode" and is still developing its services before a planned public launch. They added that couples who have screened fewer embryos were charged around $4,000 for the service. 

On the calls recorded by Hope Not Hate, Heliospect's team described how its "polygenic scoring" service uses algorithms to analyze the genetic data given by parents to predict the specific traits of their individual embryos. The company does not offer IVF services, according to The Guardian.

Christensen presented an ambitious vision for how the technology could develop, even suggesting that "lab-grown eggs would allow couples to create embryos on an industrial scale – a thousand, or even a million – from which an elite selection could be handpicked," the report said.

According to The Guardian, he suggested that future technology might be able to screen for personality types, including what he referred to as "dark triad" traits, namely machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy.

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"Beauty is something lots of people actually ask about," he reportedly added.

Heliospect told The Guardian it does not condone industrial-scale egg or embryo production or elite selection and that it does not plan to offer personality screening services.

Among Heliospect's senior staff is Jonathan Anomaly, a controversial academic who has defended so-called "liberal eugenics," or the idea that parents should use genetic technology to enhance their children's prospects. 

Anomaly told The Guardian that as a professor of philosophy, he has published provocative articles intended to stimulate debate and that "liberal eugenics" was an accepted term by bioethicists.

Records show Heliospect gained access to UK Biobank's data in June 2023. In its application, the company said it planned to use advanced techniques to improve the prediction of "complex traits." But Heliospect did not disclose screening embryos as an intended commercial application or mention IQ, The Guardian reported.

UK Biobank told the outlet Heliospect's use of its data appeared to be "entirely consistent with our access conditions." 

Experts suggested to The Guardian that restrictions on access to databases like UK Biobank may need to be strengthened in light of the ethical concerns around embryo screening.

"UK Biobank, and the UK government, may want to think harder about whether it needs to impose some new restrictions," said professor Hank Greely, a bioethicist at Stanford University.

Heliospect emphasized that its use of UK Biobank data is lawful and complies with relevant regulations. The company told The Guardian it supports addressing concerns about preimplantation embryonic screening through public education, policy discussions and properly informed debates about the technology, which it strongly believed had the potential to help people.

Your dentist may remind you to brush, floss and mouthwash – but what is the "right" order to do it?

While all steps of oral hygiene can benefit dental health, Dr. Mike Wei, DDS, of New York City, shared with Fox News Digital that he'd recommend the below order.

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Starting with floss helps to remove food debris and plaque between the teeth and along the gumline, which a toothbrush "may not reach effectively," according to Wei.

"By flossing first, you can dislodge particles and bacteria from these tight spaces, making it easier for the toothbrush and mouthwash to clean the remaining surfaces of your teeth," he said.

Next, brushing with a fluoride toothpaste can help remove plaque, bacteria and food particles from the surface of the teeth, the dentist advised.

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"By brushing after flossing, you are able to remove any particles that were loosened during flossing and ensure that all visible surfaces of your teeth are thoroughly cleaned," Wei said.

Following up with an antimicrobial mouthwash can help further kill bacteria and reduce plaque buildup.

Mouthwashing at the end can also help freshen the breath and reach areas that brushing or flossing may have missed, Wei noted.

"Overall, following this order of flossing, brushing and using mouthwash can help to ensure a comprehensive cleaning of your teeth and gums, leading to better oral hygiene and a reduced risk of dental issues, such as cavities and gum disease," he said.

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This recommended sequence is common practice among dental professionals to achieve optimal oral health, including reduced risk of cavities and gum disease, Wei added.

Dr. Ellie Phillips, DDS, an oral health educator based in Austin, Texas, took it a step further, noting that a mouth rinse can act as a "cleanser" for the teeth before brushing.

Rinsing with salt water or alternative mouthwashes like chlorine dioxide helps to remove any acidity from food and drink particles and prevent them from being brushed into the teeth, she told Fox News Digital.

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After brushing with toothpaste and "massaging" the gums with a toothbrush to stimulate circulation, then it’s time to floss, Phillips said.

Flossing after brushing "will get toothpaste between your teeth," she cautioned.

But the expert also warned that "a lot of floss contains PFAS chemicals," which people should avoid pushing into their gums.

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After flossing, Phillips recommends rinsing with a traditional mouthwash, which studies have shown can be "five times more effective than flossing" just by swishing it through the teeth for a few seconds.

Rinsing with water, especially with natural fluoride, at the end of an oral care routine can help absorb minerals into the teeth, according to Phillips, author of the upcoming second edition of her book "Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye."

While there are "minimal risks" to basic oral care, Wei warned that excessive use of mouthwash containing alcohol could lead to dry mouth and irritation.

"It's important to choose products recommended by dental professionals and follow instructions for proper use," he said.

"Remember to consult with your dentist for personalized recommendations based on your oral health needs."

Rhubarb is a vegetable that visually appears to resemble celery in texture — but its color and taste are differentiating factors between the two. 

Rhubarb has an extremely tart flavor, and it is very rarely eaten on its own due to its sour notes. It's often combined with sugar in sweet treats like pie or jam. 

Even though rhubarb is often used in desserts, it's actually full of health benefits. 

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While combining rhubarb with sugar may not be the healthiest approach to take, there are plenty of other healthy ways to counteract rhubarb's sour flavor. 

Find out more about the health benefits of rhubarb and how you can easily incorporate it into your diet below. 

There are many different vitamins present in rhubarb. 

One of these is vitamin K, an important contributor to overall bone health as well as blood clotting. 

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"Just one cup of rhubarb has almost half of your vitamin K needs," Lauri Wright, associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at the University of South Florida and registered dietitian nutritionist, told Fox News Digital. 

Wright added that though most people don't take Coumadin anymore for blood thinning, those who are on medication should be extra cautious of rhubarb consumption since vitamin K and Coumadin don't interact well. 

Calcium is also apparent in rhubarb, another contributor to bone health, as well as vitamin C, great for a nice immune boost.

"It’s also rich in calcium, which helps with bone health, and vitamin C, which boosts your immunity and is involved in collagen production for healthy skin and tissues," Wright said. 

Rhubarb is full of antioxidants.

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The antioxidants in rhubarb do far more than just give the vegetable its color. 

"Rhubarb is really high in antioxidants, and those are kind of these compounds that give the rhubarb its reddish color, but those compounds in the body help take down inflammation and protect the cells from damage… some of the damage that could eventually lead to cancer cells," Wright explained. 

Rhubarb is a vegetable high in fiber. 

"[Rhubarb is] rich in fiber, so it really helps with digestion. [It] has a pretty good source of fiber per serving," Wright told Fox News Digital. 

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That said, the amount of fiber in rhubarb shouldn't lead to any GI issues, Wright added. 

The part of the vegetable to be mindful of is the leaves. While rhubarb stalks boast impressive health benefits, the leaves should be left alone. 

"The leaves actually contain oxalic acid, which, if you eat a lot of it, can be toxic, and it also, for some people, can build stones in the kidneys. So you always want to trim the leaves before you cook the rhubarb," Wright noted. 

Rhubarb has the potential to regulate blood pressure.

The high potassium content in the vegetable is what strongly contributes to this potential health benefit, Wright told Fox News Digital. 

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"It’s high in potassium," Wright said. "Potassium helps regulate blood pressure [and] helps with better blood pressure control."

Rhubarb stalks may have the capability to lower bad cholesterol levels.

"Studies have actually shown that rhubarb stalks can help lower the LDL cholesterol, or the bad cholesterol … just a few, but there's some promise there," Wright said. 

If you want to begin to incorporate rhubarb into your diet in a healthy way to see all of its potential benefits, one easy way to do so is by using it as an ingredient in salsa. 

"One really fun idea is [to] add rhubarb to your salsa," Wright said. "Dice up rhubarb along with mango, red onion, lime juice, cilantro. That makes a really tangy salsa, and it's perfect to put on top of grilled fish or chicken."

Another easy way to incorporate pretty much any fruit or vegetable into a diet is by blending it into a smoothie. 

"Add rhubarb to your smoothie with strawberries, Greek yogurt, a little drizzle of honey and maybe some spinach, and that's going to be like a really fun mix of flavors that is packed with nutrition," Wright explained. 

A nutrient-rich smoothie is a super simple way for those who have a hard time meeting daily recommended intakes of fruits and vegetables to get the vitamins and minerals they need. 

FIRST ON FOX — Speaking exclusively to Fox News Digital, bestselling author and life strategist Tony Robbins is announcing on Tuesday that he and his partners in The 100 Billion Meals Challenge have secured commitments "to provide an impressive 30 billion meals to combat global hunger" in just two years of the program's existence, he said.

The announcement comes on Giving Tuesday — significant because Robbins has pledged to match most donations that come in, whether from individuals or groups.

"If, on Giving Tuesday, someone wants to donate a dollar up to $2 million, I'll match it," said Robbins. "So you'll get to double the amount of impact if you'd like to participate."

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Robbins launched his anti-hunger initiative along with David Beasley, former head of the World Food Programme, with a goal to provide 100 billion meals across 10 years — and the program is now pacing well ahead of plans, he said. 

Robbins revealed in some detail his personal connection to the issue of hunger in America and all over the world. (See the video at the top of this article.) 

"I grew up in a pretty tough environment. We didn't have any money," said Robbins, who today is based in Florida with his wife, Sage, and their children. 

"I had four different fathers, and they're all good men, but they all lost their jobs at various points. And I had a Thanksgiving when I was 11 years old where there was no money and no food in the home — no food. We had saltine crackers and peanut butter. But, you know, it was Thanksgiving."

He said his parents were also arguing at that time — "yelling at each other or blaming each other. And I have a younger brother and younger sister, five and seven years younger, and I'm trying to make sure they don't hear," said Robbins, describing his life as a child.

And then, he said, "there's a knock at the door."

And "long story short, this guy is holding two giant bags of groceries, and he had a pan with an uncooked frozen turkey on the ground [beside him]. He said, ‘Is your father here?’ And I was like, ‘Just one moment.’" 

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Robbins said the stranger was offering his family an amazing Thanksgiving meal simply out of the kindness of his heart — and as a boy from a family with very little, he said he felt "so excited," said Robbins. 

"I thought, ‘This is going to be the most magical thing.’"

His dad, however, "did not have a positive reaction" to the offer at the door. 

"He looked at this man and said, 'We don't accept charity.'"

There was an uncomfortable exchange as his father attempted to close the door — and finally there came "a moment I'll never forget," said Robbins. 

"The man said, 'Sir, please don't make your family suffer because of your ego.'

"My dad turned bright red," said Robbins. "I remember [seeing] the veins on the side of his neck. I thought, 'He's going to punch the guy in the face.' But he just dropped his shoulders. He took the food and set it down."

Said Robbins, "And I was excited. Up until that moment, I couldn't understand what was going on with [my father], but he didn't take care of his family. And he left our family a few days later. It was one of the roughest moments in my life — but it was also the best moment because there was food."

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From that experience as a boy, he said, "I developed a different belief. I believed that strangers cared — and that strangers cared about me and my family. And then I wanted to care about strangers."

And so, said Robbins, he "set a goal that when I was older, when I was 17, I'd feed at least two families — and the next year I did four and then eight."

Once he was in business and was able to help others on a larger scale, "we got into 50 and 100 — and then 100,000. Then finally we got it up to two million people through my foundation and two million through my wife and me."

From there, over time, he dramatically increased his numbers and his connection with partners in the endeavor.

Together with Beasley, formerly of the World Food Programme, "we put together this project. And the National Pasta Association, International Pasta, Feed My Starving Children, Manna Nutrition, the government of Dubai — all of them are participating. And Global Citizen is giving us a platform to reach more people. So it's not just me. But together, what we can do is amazing."

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He said that no child should have to die of hunger anywhere in the world.

And the same goes for "here in America," Robbins emphasized. "I'm doing another billion meals in America. We are the richest country in the world, and yet we still have roughly 40 million people, a lot of them children and elderly, that are still food insecure. It's crazy. We need to do our part."

Global hunger has risen sharply in recent years — with acute hunger surging to 730 million people following the pandemic, according to Robbins and his team. 

Additionally, some 30 million people "are on the brink of famine."

Robbins told Fox News Digital, "I think if I hadn't grown up hungry, if I hadn't suffered, I don't think I would work this hard. But when you've suffered this much, you don't want anybody else to suffer. And when I go to various parts of the world, including in this country where people are food insecure, I see that they don't have any food." 

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He said these up-close visuals and experiences "almost bring me to tears. It's just a horrific thing to see a child who's starving in a world that's so abundant. And once you've seen those images in real life, not some picture [somewhere], you can't put it out of your mind."

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Robbins noted, "I always say there are two types of motivation in life. There's push motivation, when you're trying to make yourself do something. And then there's pull motivation — where it's a calling, where you feel like, by God's grace or the universe's grace, whatever you believe in, that you're meant to do this. And I think I suffered that way so that others wouldn't otherwise."

He said this is why "it's not hard to keep your passion going, especially when you see the joy in people's eyes when that food is brought to them. Because it's more than food. For me, it's that people care. People are no longer alone. And I think we can all play that role."

Robbins noted the health benefits of giving to others. 

"There are all kinds of studies to show that [helping others] creates a biochemical change in you. Something as simple as standing in line at Starbucks and paying for the coffee of the next five people — this will produce a larger chemical change in your body that lasts longer than usually getting something for yourself. It's pretty wild."

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He said, "As human beings, the reason we survive is because of our connection to community. We can never make it on our own — but together we can do just about anything."