Aggregated News
In the 1997 film "Gattaca," wealthy parents regularly use what's called preimplantation genetic diagnosis to pick children with the most desirable characteristics. Using in vitro fertilization, PGD creates several embryos and then uses the most genetically promising one to attempt a pregnancy.
Although genetic discrimination is illegal in the Gattaca world, individuals are nevertheless separated into "valid" and "invalid" categories based on genetically assessed intelligence, susceptibility to disease and life span. Individuals are stratified at birth: "Valids" become astronauts and politicians; "invalids" become janitors.
As distant as a Gattaca-style dystopia may seem, recent developments suggest it's not as far-fetched as it once was. California genetic testing company 23andMe announced in October that it has patented a method for determining the traits, including eye color and height, a hypothetical child would inherit from its parents. The company designed the method to select the best sperm or egg donors from multiple candidates, though it denies any intention of offering such a service any time soon.
New York-based GenePeeks announced in October that it will soon offer a service that can compute up...
Although genetic discrimination is illegal in the Gattaca world, individuals are nevertheless separated into "valid" and "invalid" categories based on genetically assessed intelligence, susceptibility to disease and life span. Individuals are stratified at birth: "Valids" become astronauts and politicians; "invalids" become janitors.
As distant as a Gattaca-style dystopia may seem, recent developments suggest it's not as far-fetched as it once was. California genetic testing company 23andMe announced in October that it has patented a method for determining the traits, including eye color and height, a hypothetical child would inherit from its parents. The company designed the method to select the best sperm or egg donors from multiple candidates, though it denies any intention of offering such a service any time soon.
New York-based GenePeeks announced in October that it will soon offer a service that can compute up...