People say they would not want to test embryos for traits like low IQ. But if given the information, they act on it
A study of more than 2,000 people in the United States and China finds that the line between medical and nonmedical traits, which underpins rules on embryo testing in most countries, does not match public preferences.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour reveals a disconnect between public opinion and actual behavior regarding embryo testing for non-medical traits like low IQ or antisocial behavior. While most people express comfort in testing embryos for diseases over such traits, the decision to implant embryos with increased risks of low IQ or antisocial behavior is comparable to avoiding embryos with an increased risk of heart disease.
This study, conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford, the University of Exeter, the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore, and others, suggests that individuals are uneasy about asking for this kind of information but act on it once they have it. The researchers emphasize that regulation in this area should focus on the potential impact of a condition or trait on a child's life rather than the label attached to it.
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