That horse has left the barn

Genetic testing and embryo selection in the process of in vitro fertilization is increasingly common. In my recent review of CRISPR gene editing in BioMolecular Concepts, I endorse the argument that reproductive CRISPR editing isn’t therapeutic because it doesn’t prevent genetic disease, and that embryo selection is an option for nearly all couples who want to conceive their own children.

Of course, there’s money to be made with genetic testing and embryo selection. In addition to single-gene traits, some companies are offering testing for multifactorial traits, where the risk/benefit analysis hasn’t been rigorously done. This is a problem, but I’m sure that anyone who has the money can find a country where they can get this service already.

“These tests demand a broader societal discussion. By nature of their complexity, polygenic risk scores also open the door to evaluating not only disease risk, but traits such as height or intelligence. At present, not enough is known about the genetic contributors to such traits to develop meaningful tests that would allow prospective parents to select embryos. But those data are on the way and the technology is going to move quickly — it is well past time to discuss how far it should go.”

https://media.nature.com/original/magazine-assets/d41586-022-00787-z/d41586-022-00787-z.pdf