The Controversial Future of Genetic Testing

How far are parents willing to go to give their children the best chance at life? A new genetic test promises to reduce the risk of diseases like Type 1 diabetes in embryos. But it could also be used to optimize traits, like intelligence. VICE News explores the promises and perils of this technology.

Correction: A previous version of this video stated inaccurately that Down's Syndrome was caused by a mutation in a single gene. It is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21.

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[witch_in_a_wheelchair]

The first family is a perfect example of why this is important, the second family is the perfect example of who will abuse it.

[squirrelbear]

Is there a genetic test for the second family to ensure they don’t pass down their insufferable personalities to their children?

[wp]

The couple who doesn’t want their child to have a female name because they will do worse in the world…it’s literally how we will never overcome societal issues. That second couple is incorrigible. Their child might not be predisposed to mental health issues but they will have a complex with parents like that.

[jeanettehealy]

I love how the second family thinks testing for IQ and earning potential isn't eugenics. As someone with a lot of chronic genetic conditions and disabilities, I have nothing against trying to prevent babies from being born with conditions that will cause them to suffer. However, the whole IQ thing screams "the master race" to me. But, maybe that is just me. IDK.

[tanschi]

Being called Titan Invictus means that that poor girl is going to have to be EXCELLENT at everything. I hope the parents allow her some wiggle room to make mistakes

[yesimemoin]

Having six siblings and Type A parents who are on the spectrum will be more decisive than a few percentage points on a genetic risk assessment.

[daandeheij]

So imagine the embryo the second family chose turns into a child with one of the things the parents tried to rule out, like depression. Would they blame their kid, reasoning it cannot be genetic? Or would they blame themselves, critising their parental skills? These are things I think parents should carefully consider when using these techniques. The response of the parents to the “negative outcome” would be critical to the health and well-being of the child. Is this a responsibility all parents can bear, and do you think parents could tell how they would respond beforehand?

[aysiajohnson]

the family who named their baby titan invictus is terrifying 😭 very scary eugenics vibes

[eudaemonicc]

as someone born with a genetic condition thats similar to cystic fibrosis, I am incredibly for this. it sucks having to live with this

[kikic]

The second family make me feel like they have a roadmap for their daughter and she must follow it or she will be a disappointment. The amount of pressure these people will put on her to be perfect because she was the “perfect” embryo is horrible. This child is growing up in a Sims world with her parents are the players and she’s the object of their desires and their own enjoyment.

[MichaelSmith-ijut]

"My name is Titan Invictus, I have an appointment at 2 oclock."
"Can I get that name again ma'am?

[TexRobNC]

I think comparing disease screening with IQ as the same thing is terribly disingenuous. It was alluded to by the host, but then nothing happened. The other big problem is if you select for a high IQ, you are going to expect more of that child, there is no way around it. You'll probably use it against them, "You're just lazy, you have the aptitude", trust me, this is bad bad bad from all angles. Intelligence isn't everything. It can be a burden if you don't have all the other tools to go along with it.

[CornOnDeCobb]

The Malcom's are beyond terrifying. Earning potential are you kidding me lol

[Max-wlfs]

The couple that looks like each other are kinda…too much.

[LunarStarFox]

I’m afraid to pass on my mental health illness to my children- my husband feels the same, so we chose to only adopt children. It means so much more to save a life and we will only ever adopt.

[helicocktor]

The thing I don't see most people talk about is the fact that this tech is expensive. You wanna get rid of diseases? That's cool and all. But there's a very thin line where these parents will go off optimizing more desirable traits in their children.

The problem is this puts the rest of the population at a disadvantage. Let's be honest, most people won't be able to afford genetic screening. Without regulation this will be a platform for rich folks to further divide themselves from "normal" people. The chasm grows. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

[ericcrear]

It is sad to see vice struggle. Because it is reporting like this that we need.

[tvk]

jesus.. the lady dressed like steve jobs was weird for sure

[hpetey]

Part of the problem with the second parents is that the humans can’t exist with only the smartest of us and being “successful” is a goalpost that will move by the time kids are adults. On top of all that, we have no idea how much genes are effected by environment, but we know they are. Honestly the second set of parents were ignorant of how limited the data is and that is the most dangerous type of person with this data.

[HonestGraduate]

The couple look like generic villains from a dystopian sci-fi movie.