Polygenic embryo screening (PES) is a novel form of preimplantation genetic screening that provides genetic estimates for the future development of polygenic conditions and traits (e.g., diabetes, cancer, depression, height, and cognitive ability). PES is commercially available in the United States despite a dearth of empirical data on stakeholders’ perspectives and lack of professional guidance. To explore stakeholders’ perspectives on PES, we conducted thematic analysis with interviews of 27 reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists (“clinicians”) and 26 current or recent in vitro fertilization patients. During these interviews, clinicians and patients raised multiple concerns about PES, with a frequent one being the potential for PES to be eugenic in nature. Clinicians (n=22) and patients (n=16) alluded to concerns over eugenics; of those, 13 clinicians and 3 patients specifically used the word in their interviews. Further analysis revealed that while many (14 clinicians and 6 patients) felt uncomfortable with selection against embryos with predispositions for certain conditions (i.e., health-related traits), even more (i.e., 20 clinicians and 11 patients) felt wary of selection of embryos for predispositions of non-health related traits. Collectively, these results suggest a delineation of less and more acceptable forms of selective reproduction; positive eugenics that champion for the selection of desirable non-health related traits are seen as less acceptable than negative eugenics that promotes selection against predispositions of health conditions. We will discuss the implications of these findings for debates regarding the use and regulation of PES.
