Regulating reproductive genetic services: dealing with spiral-shaped processes and techno-scientific imaginaries
Purpose We have been inquiring into the diffusion process of reproductive genetic services (RGS) and the viability of geneticization in human reproduction. Method A 2-round modified-Delphi survey was applied amongst Israeli and Spanish experts to analyze regulatory attitudes and expectations about t...
| Autores: | , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2021 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad Autónoma de Madrid |
| Repositorio: | Biblos-e Archivo. Repositorio Institucional de la UAM |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:repositorio.uam.es:10486/726300 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10486/726300 https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10815-020-02017-9 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Assisted reproductive technologies Reproductive genetic services Diffusion of innovation Regulating emerging technologies Delphi Preimplantation genetic testing Biología y Biomedicina / Biología |
| Sumario: | Purpose We have been inquiring into the diffusion process of reproductive genetic services (RGS) and the viability of geneticization in human reproduction. Method A 2-round modified-Delphi survey was applied amongst Israeli and Spanish experts to analyze regulatory attitudes and expectations about the future applications of RGS. We argue that an explanation of RGS diffusion based on a ‘technology-push’ impulse should be complemented by a ‘demandpull’ approach, which underscores the importance of regulatory frameworks and demand-inducing policies. The diffusion of RGS is advancing in a ‘spiralshaped’ process where technology acts as a cause and effect simultaneously, modulating social acceptance and redefining the notions of health and responsibility along the way. Results We suggest that there is a ‘grey-zone’ of RGS regulations regarding four procedures: the use of germline genome modification (GGM) for severe monogenic disorders, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for detection of chromosomal abnormalities, PGT for multifactorial diseases, and PGT with whole-exome screening. Conclusions Although far from the geneticization of human reproduction, our findings suggest that, since techno-scientific imaginaries tend to shape regulations and thus favor the diffusion of RGS, policymakers should pay attention to those procedures by focusing on good practices and equity while providing sound information on potential risks and expected success rates. A broad and inclusive societal debate is critical for overcoming the difficulty of drawing a clear line between medical and nonmedical uses of genetic selection and engineering while searching for the right balance between allowing reproductive autonomy and protecting the public interest |
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