Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Journal

npj Genomic Medicine

DOI

10.1038/s41525-025-00530-3

PMID

41326419

PMCID

PMC12669692

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

12-1-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Polygenic embryo screening (PES) is used to screen embryos for their genetic likelihood of developing complex conditions and traits. We surveyed 152 U.S. reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists (REIs) on their views of PES. While most respondents (97%) were at least slightly familiar with PES, general approval of PES was low (12%), with the majority expressing disapproval (46%) or uncertainty (42%). A majority (58%) believed risks outweigh benefits, while only 16% felt benefits outweigh risks. Most clinicians (85-77%) were very or extremely concerned about low accuracy, confusion over results, false expectations, and eugenics. Nonetheless, when asked to vote on whether PES should be allowed, 44% would vote to allow it, 45% would vote to disallow it, and 10% would abstain from voting. REIs showed more support for PES when used to screen for physical and psychiatric health conditions (59-55% approving) rather than behavioral or physical traits (7-6% approving).

Keywords

Personalized medicine, Risk factors, Diseases, Genetics research, Predictive markers

Published Open-Access

yes

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