Safeguards needed now to prevent unethical genetic selection in future

Embryos should not be selected for behavioural traits such as sexual orientation, antisocial behaviour, and intelligence on the basis of genetic information, according to a report out this week from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics.

Although the report's authors acknowledge that research into links between genes and behaviour is in its early stages, they stress the need to examine ethical and social issues raised by potential developments now, in order to put safeguards in place for the future. “This is a potentially explosive area,” said Professor Bob Hepple, of Clare College, Cambridge, one of the authors of the report. “The first question we asked was whether such research should be carried out at all.”

Behavioural genetics is a complicated and controversial area of research, not least because of its association with the eugenic practices and policies implemented in several countries in the 20th century.

Although no one gene has yet been shown conclusively to influence any particular behavioural trait, recent years have seen a number of highly publicised claims. Some scientists recently claimed to have discovered the gene predicting homosexuality, for example.

Referring to behavioural traits in general, Professor Hepple said: “Many genes, each having a very small effect, are likely to be involved, and the environment also plays an important role.”

The authors assessed current evidence on the associations between genetic variants and behaviour but focused only on behaviours in the normal range of variation (rather than diseases or disorders, such as depression): intelligence, antisocial behaviour, personality traits, and sexual orientation. In the future it may be possible to select embryos that are more likely to have a particular behavioural trait, such as above average intelligence.

Currently the preimplantation selection of embryos is restricted to cases of serious diseases, but the authors urged caution in the future extension of this application. “The effects of genes are not inevitable,” said Professor Hepple. “We take the view that the use of selective termination following prenatal diagnosis to abort a fetus merely on the basis of information about behavioural traits in the normal range is morally unacceptable.”

The report calls for researchers to pay careful attention to public concerns about the research and its applications, and it recommends that the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee develop guidelines for research into gene therapy for normal behavioural traits.

Concerns were also raised over further exacerbation of the trend towards medicalisation, with people increasingly being encouraged to take treatment to alter behaviour previously considered normal. “We hope that this report—the first in its area—will stimulate debate and discussion between scientists, policy makers, and the public about the ethical and legal implications of behavioural genetics,” Professor Hepple said.