Report sounds alarm on efficacy, safety, ethics of embryo selection with polygenic scores

[Klaralven]

A special report published today in the New England Journal of Medicine raises serious questions about the benefits, risks and ethics of a new service -- which the authors call "embryo selection based on polygenic scores," or ESPS -- that allows in vitro fertilization patients to select embryos with the goal of choosing healthier and even smarter children.

The multinational team of researchers describes the limitations of ESPS and warns of the risk that patients and even in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinicians may form the impression that ESPS is more effective and less risky than it is. The authors highlight that since the same gene often influences many different traits, ESPS designed to select for one trait can lead to the unintentional selection of adverse traits. They also warn about the potential of ESPS to alter population demographics, exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities and devalue certain traits.

If ESPS continues to be available to IVF patients, the researchers call on the Federal Trade Commission to develop and enforce standards for responsible communication about the service. The authors also call for a society-wide conversation about the ethical use of the technology and whether it should be regulated.

Polygenic scores are predictions of individual health and other outcomes derived from genome-wide association studies. Polygenic scores have been shown, in adults, to partially predict those outcomes. As the authors explain, however, their predictive power is significantly reduced when comparing embryos to one another.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210630173622.htm

I think that having healthier, smarter children would be a good thing.

[NQAS]

1. Not a scientist

But this seems to be an issue where one proper response would be, "what could go wrong?" Or, "it seemed like a good idea at the time."

Sure, healthy, smart children is an admirable goal. But what about other genetic traits that might be affected. Color, height, weight, mental illness, and, in general, unexpected consequences.

[Ilsa]

2. Valuing technical intelligence over

social or emotional intelligence? Yes, what could possibly go wrong?

(if needed)