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> But it is not obvious that the advanced genomics of today has much in common with the eugenics of the 1930s. Eugenics is one of the most popular reasons to g

• ForHackernews 5y ago
  One of the most common causes of Down Syndrome is trisomy 21 (an extra copy of the 21st chromosome) caused by a chromosomal nondisjunction error (when chromosomes fail to separate properly during meiosis). In the most strictly literal sense, aborting fetuses with Down Snydrome is not eugenics, because it's not altering the allele frequency in the gene pool. That said, I can see why people are uncomfortable with it.
  • User23 5y ago
    You're right. And it's not just Down Syndrome, genetic counseling screens for and offers abortion as a solution for many genetic disorders, such as hereditary blindness.
• dash2 5y ago
  Right. And indeed, there is already screening for polygenic scores taking place – something I think is a pretty terrible idea given our current level of knowledge, or rather ignorance, about what most genes do. I suppose the difference is that in the 1930s there were state-driven campaigns to “improve“ the population, and these led to terrible consequences. What’s happening today is decentralised, and the result of consumer choice – which doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t dangerous.