With every new advancement that involves the modifying of the genome, the underlying debate on whether it is supporting eugenics resurfaces. Technologies such as CRISPR-CAS9, IVF, gene therapies, gene editing, etc. have all stirred discussions on the ethics of the applications, availability and affordability. For instance, the average cost of gene therapies and gene editing ranges from $300,000 to $2 million; as this is a developing and modern field. Many insurances do not offer coverage either, making it increasingly unaffordable for the majority of the public. Though unbelievably expensive, these procedures and tests serve great purpose in helping cure the patient of their disease.
There are various illnesses that if they came in contact with another person with the same disease, the result would be deadly. Take cystic fibrosis (CF) for example; a genetic and progressive lung disease that limits the lungs capacity, affecting one’s breathing and that causes persistent lung infections. Cross-infection amongst people with CF poses a serious health risk. The bacteria, “bugs”, in their lungs is usually harmless to people without CF, but if transmitted to a person with CF, it can be very harmful.
There may even be the case of two people being carriers for a terminal illness, and if they were to have a child, the chances of him or her having the illness drastically increases. Huntington’s disease — a rare and fatal genetic condition that causes a progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain — has yet to be cured, and those who are carriers or have Huntington’s disease have a common fear of having children, as the child’s chances of inheriting the illness increase.
Can I have your phone number… err genetic sequence?
Those living with or carrying these, potentially, fatal genetic mutations eventually reach a point in their life where they have to make the difficult decision of whether or not they want to start a family. For someone living with CF, it is important that their partner doesn’t have CF either, and it would be safer if they weren’t carriers either (for if they were to have children). Asking your date whether you share the same recessive gene for an incredibly rare and severe genetic illness — that could be passed down to your future offspring — isn’t exactly a question you would ask on a first, seventh or even tenth date, or for some couples, ever. One would say that being able to filter a person’s potential partner based on any genetic mutation would be beneficial! And that is exactly what scientist George Church, Ph.D of Harvard Medical School is hoping to accomplish through a dating app, called DigiD8.
Dr. Church is well-known within the scientific community through his various professional contributions in the field of synthetic biology. He has published various papers on genome sequencing and genome engineering, and works as a Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His numerous contributions won him the 2011 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Sciences from the Franklin Institute.
Move Aside Tinder, DNA filtering is Here!
In 2019, he announced that he had decided to enter the online dating industry. His proposal is to include “serious genetic disease” as a criteria on an online dating app, by asking users to submit their DNA for genome sequencing. This would prevent two carriers of the same rare genetic disease to even see the other person’s profile. This way, if two people do meet through the app, fall in love, and have children, they will know that their child isn’t at risk for having a hereditary disease.
After Dr. Church’s interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes”, initial reactions from critics suggest that DigiD8 would create a clear distinction between “acceptable” and “unacceptable” people — stirring up discussions on eugenics. But Dr. Church disagrees: “We are not going to be forcibly sterilizing people, if that’s the business model they think we’re up to. That’s as far from what we intend to do as can be.” The app won’t encourage stigma against disabled and chronically sick people, it would only restrict matches that would result in “illnesses that cause very premature deaths, often with pain and a lot of medical costs”, such as CF or Tay-Sachs. DigiD8 won’t prevent two genetically blind people from being together, Dr. Church’s intentions aren’t to eliminate genetic diversity, it is to prevent families having to spend millions on treatment and to prevent children from pain and suffering.
Currently whole genome sequencing can cost from $100 to $2000, but prices continue to drop. Dr. Church envisions DigiD8 to be a subscription based service which will incorporate the price of the genome sequencing, coming to a proposed $50 per month.
Technologies, whether for health advancement or not, are created to further human civilization. To help prevent diseases, provide accessibility, provide convenience, etc., all with a good intention. With the implication of this new tool, potentially thousands of premature lives would be saved from suffering and death. Would you rather risk having a child with a terminal illness, or be ensured that your future children will be healthy? To be clear: “healthy” , in this context, would mean they have no fatal genetic disease.
DigiD8 is not the first DNA-driven matchmaking tool. DNA Romance is an online dating website that forecasts romantic chemistry between people. DNA analysis of genes within the immune system that play a role in human attraction are used to identify attraction; and psychology is used to evaluate personality compatibility.
“We are deciphering the essential elements behind the ‘scent of love’ and the ideal personality combinations for successful relationships.” — DNA Romance
Though DigiD8 focuses solely on filtering those who have a hereditary disease mutation, both DNA Romance and DigiD8 are companies that are a prime example of how an interdisciplinary study between science and psychology can be used by everyone.
With every advancement that could potentially assist in eradicating a virus or disease, debates on whether it is a form of eugenics or ableism is prevalent. Would you give up the chance to cure cancer to keep genetic diversity? What about HIV? If this filtration system could bring humans one step closer to eradicating fatal genetic diseases, then what is stopping us?
References
About cystic fibrosis. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.cff.org/What-is-CF/About-Cystic-Fibrosis/
Cross-infection at events. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/the-work-we-do/conference-and-meetings/cross-infection-at-events#:~:text=People%20with%20cystic%20fibrosis%20should,be%20harmful%20to%20each%20other.
Dating app based on genetic matching not eugenics, scientist says. (2019, December 16). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/dec/16/dating-app-genetic-matching-not-eugenics-scientist-says
Flynn, M. (2019, December 13). A Harvard scientist is developing a DNA-BASED dating app to reduce genetic disease. critics called it eugenics. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/12/13/genetics-george-church-dna-dating-app-reduce-disease-eugenics/
George church, PH.D. (2019, February 25). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://wyss.harvard.edu/team/core-faculty/george-church/
A Harvard geneticist’s goal: To protect humans from Viruses, genetic diseases, and aging. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/harvard-geneticist-george-church-goal-to-protect-humans-from-viruses-genetic-diseases-and-aging-60-minutes-2019-12-08/
Michels-Gualtieri, M. (2020, February 12). The illusion of genetic romance. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-illusion-of-genetic-romance/
Montgomery, B. (2019, December 10). Epstein-Funded scientist George church is creating a Genetics-Based dating app. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.thedailybeast.com/epstein-funded-scientist-george-church-is-creating-a-genetics-based-dating-app?ref=author
Regalado, A. (2020, April 02). Here are some actual facts about George Church’s Dna dating company. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/12/11/131611/actual-facts-about-george-church-dna-dating-company-digid8/
Stiffler, L. (2019, February 15). This dna-driven dating startup says love is in the air – and they’ll help you sniff it out. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.geekwire.com/2019/dna-romance/
2 Responses
Great article!!! Sharing with colleagues.
Very interesting read and I am left with a lot of great ideas to think about and research more into!