Gene testing of embryos needs guiding

摘要

Couples might soon use the technologies sold by personal-genomics companies to choose the genetic make-up of their children. Last week, at a meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in San Francisco, California, researchers cautioned that they do not yet advocate this use of genetic tests. But as the technology advances, consumer demand is likely to overwhelm societal ethical qualms. "If people think they can make their babies healthier at year one, year two, or in utero, they will do it," says Jacques Cohen, research director, at Reprogenetics, a genetic-testing company in West Orange, New Jersey.