Polygenic risk scoring of human embryos: a qualitative study of media coverage
Abstract Background Current preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) technologies enable embryo genotyping across the whole genome. This has led to the development of polygenic risk scoring of human embryos (PGT-P). Recent implementation of PGT-P, including screening for intelligence, has been extensiv...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Ethics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-021-00694-4 |
| _version_ | 1818918230089007104 |
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| author | Tiny Pagnaer Maria Siermann Pascal Borry Olga Tšuiko |
| author_facet | Tiny Pagnaer Maria Siermann Pascal Borry Olga Tšuiko |
| author_sort | Tiny Pagnaer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Current preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) technologies enable embryo genotyping across the whole genome. This has led to the development of polygenic risk scoring of human embryos (PGT-P). Recent implementation of PGT-P, including screening for intelligence, has been extensively covered by media reports, raising major controversy. Considering the increasing demand for assisted reproduction, we evaluated how information about PGT-P is communicated in press media and explored the diversity of ethical themes present in the public debate. Methods LexisNexis Academic database and Google News were searched to identify articles about polygenic embryo screening. This led to 535 news articles. 59 original articles met the inclusion criteria. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse these articles. Results 8.8% of articles gave embryo polygenic scoring a positive portrayal, while 36.8% expressed a negative attitude. 54.4% were neutral, mostly highlighting limited practical value of the technology in in vitro fertilization settings. We identified five main ethical themes that are also present in academic literature and the broader debate on reproductive technologies: a slippery slope towards designer babies, well-being of the child and parents, impact on society, deliberate choice and societal readiness. Conclusions Implementation of embryo polygenic profiling engenders a need for specific recommendations. Current media analysis discloses important ethical themes to consider when creating future guidelines for PGT-P. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T00:46:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-da7f005e08354bebb736c60f6a47d2a1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6939 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T00:46:39Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Ethics |
| spelling | doaj.art-da7f005e08354bebb736c60f6a47d2a12022-12-21T19:59:23ZengBMCBMC Medical Ethics1472-69392021-09-012211810.1186/s12910-021-00694-4Polygenic risk scoring of human embryos: a qualitative study of media coverageTiny Pagnaer0Maria Siermann1Pascal Borry2Olga Tšuiko3Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU LeuvenDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU LeuvenDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU LeuvenLaboratory for Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Human Genetics, KU LeuvenAbstract Background Current preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) technologies enable embryo genotyping across the whole genome. This has led to the development of polygenic risk scoring of human embryos (PGT-P). Recent implementation of PGT-P, including screening for intelligence, has been extensively covered by media reports, raising major controversy. Considering the increasing demand for assisted reproduction, we evaluated how information about PGT-P is communicated in press media and explored the diversity of ethical themes present in the public debate. Methods LexisNexis Academic database and Google News were searched to identify articles about polygenic embryo screening. This led to 535 news articles. 59 original articles met the inclusion criteria. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse these articles. Results 8.8% of articles gave embryo polygenic scoring a positive portrayal, while 36.8% expressed a negative attitude. 54.4% were neutral, mostly highlighting limited practical value of the technology in in vitro fertilization settings. We identified five main ethical themes that are also present in academic literature and the broader debate on reproductive technologies: a slippery slope towards designer babies, well-being of the child and parents, impact on society, deliberate choice and societal readiness. Conclusions Implementation of embryo polygenic profiling engenders a need for specific recommendations. Current media analysis discloses important ethical themes to consider when creating future guidelines for PGT-P.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-021-00694-4EthicsQualitative analysisMedia coveragePreimplantation genetic testingPolygenic risk scoresEmbryo polygenic profiling |
| spellingShingle | Tiny Pagnaer Maria Siermann Pascal Borry Olga Tšuiko Polygenic risk scoring of human embryos: a qualitative study of media coverage BMC Medical Ethics Ethics Qualitative analysis Media coverage Preimplantation genetic testing Polygenic risk scores Embryo polygenic profiling |
| title | Polygenic risk scoring of human embryos: a qualitative study of media coverage |
| title_full | Polygenic risk scoring of human embryos: a qualitative study of media coverage |
| title_fullStr | Polygenic risk scoring of human embryos: a qualitative study of media coverage |
| title_full_unstemmed | Polygenic risk scoring of human embryos: a qualitative study of media coverage |
| title_short | Polygenic risk scoring of human embryos: a qualitative study of media coverage |
| title_sort | polygenic risk scoring of human embryos a qualitative study of media coverage |
| topic | Ethics Qualitative analysis Media coverage Preimplantation genetic testing Polygenic risk scores Embryo polygenic profiling |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-021-00694-4 |
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