The race to make the perfect baby is creating an ethical mess
2 days ago
- #genetics
- #ethics
- #eugenics
- Emerging science allows prediction of aesthetic traits, intelligence, and moral character in embryos, raising ethical concerns.
- Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is used to screen embryos for genetic disorders, but some companies now offer optimization for non-disease traits like intelligence and appearance.
- Companies like Genomic Prediction, Orchid, Nucleus Genomics, and Herasight are commercializing polygenic risk scores to predict traits, despite limited clinical validation.
- Critics argue that polygenic testing for embryo selection revives eugenics and promotes genetic determinism, fueling debates about nature vs. nurture.
- Silicon Valley elites, including Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, are early adopters and investors in embryo selection technology.
- Ethical concerns include potential inequalities, misuse of genetic data, and the societal impact of selecting for traits like intelligence.
- Some proponents defend the technology as empowering parental choice, while opponents warn of its risks and lack of regulation.
- The debate extends to politics, with some linking genetic determinism to policies on immigration, education, and social welfare.
- Long-term studies on the outcomes of genetically selected embryos are lacking, leaving questions about the technology's real-world impact.