A majority of people don’t want designer babies, but are split on whether the federal government should fund research into new gene-editing technology, a new poll finds.
About 65 percent of Americans say it should be illegal to use gene-editing technology to reduce the risk of developing inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis, according to a poll from STAT, a science and health news service, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Even more people, 83 percent, don’t want to use the technology to improve the intelligence or physical characteristics of babies. Ethicists have worried about the creation of “designer babies” who are stronger or smarter than others, creating a new class system based on such advances.
The poll comes at a time when rapid advances from Chinese scientists into gene-editing technology have gained attention.
While Americans are adamant against designer babies, they are more divided about government funding of gene-editing technology.
About 44 percent in the poll said they would support funding research into genetic techniques before birth to reduce disease risk.
A medical breakthrough that “actually did prevent a devastating genetic disease could change people’s views,” said Robert Blendon, professor of health policy and political analysis at Harvard.
National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins has said that the agency won’t fund research into it because of the ethical implications.
A major summit of scientists held by the National Academy of Sciences in December concluded that more research needed to be done on the ethical issues. Scientists noted that there is much potential in gene editing but any research and applications must be approached cautiously.
The telephone poll conducted last month included 1,000 adults, STAT and Harvard said.
