‘AI Babies’ Exist, Prompting Ethical Concerns

It’s‌ not the first ‍time‌ AI ​has been‍ used to boost pregnancy chances.⁢ Just ‍last⁣ month,⁢ researchers ‌in ​California unveiled ⁣a ‍”sperm⁣ health ‌test” algorithm, which is ⁤capable ⁢of scanning ⁢sperm​ for​ their​ shape and motility​ and enables ​the selection of‍ the ⁢most⁢ optimal ⁣swimmers for fertilizing an⁣ egg.

According‌ to Fox ⁢News, AIVF’s EMA software employs an AI⁢ model⁤ to ‍assist clinicians in‌ evaluating⁤ embryos⁢ and utilizing⁢ its advanced ⁣algorithm to ‌identify the most ‌promising candidates for successful​ pregnancies.

Daniella⁣ Gilboa, an embryologist⁤ and co-founder and CEO⁣ of ⁢AIVF, ⁤told Fox ⁣News‌ Digital‍ that⁣ the ‌AI ‌has been ‌trained to detect embryonic features⁤ that⁤ are not visible to ​the human eye,‌ such​ as ⁢genetic abnormalities, ‌implantation ⁤potential, and ⁢gender-related ‌factors.

Each embryo⁢ is‍ assigned ⁢a ‌numeric score, ​empowering the ⁣clinician⁤ to make the final decision ‌based⁢ on this‌ data.

The⁢ application‍ of AI to IVF, ⁤where it weighs in ⁣on ⁤selecting embryos⁣ based ‌on ‌their​ perceived ⁣”best potential” and “quality,” raises ​profound ‌ethical questions.

The act​ of determining‍ which embryo should ​be‌ chosen for ⁢further⁤ development is‍ entering ​the realm ‌of playing God — a domain that⁤ has already had lines blurred by IVF and​ other‍ such‍ procedures.

Dr. Gilboa’s ⁣assertion ​that​ AI can detect embryonic ​features beyond​ human ⁣capability,‍ such‍ as genetic‌ abnormalities, ​implantation potential,⁣ and‌ even​ gender, adds another ⁣layer of ‍complexity‌ to an ‌already⁢ controversial ​procedure.

The ‍application‍ of AI in ‍the ​selection of ⁢embryos for IVF brings forth legitimate‍ concerns regarding the ‍possibility ‌of eugenics ‍and⁤ widening⁤ disparities ⁢between⁢ the wealthy​ and the‌ less⁢ privileged.

As AI technology ⁣becomes more sophisticated, it may‌ open doors to⁢ the deliberate ‌manipulation and ‍selection‌ of‍ specific ⁣genetic ⁣traits‌ in embryos, ⁣giving⁣ rise⁤ to the concept​ of‍ “designer ‌babies,” according⁤ to the Daily Mail.

Eugenics, ​historically associated with discriminatory‍ practices and human ⁤rights‌ violations, revolves around the‌ idea ‌of selectively breeding individuals to improve the ‍genetic ‌quality ⁢of the population.

While⁢ proponents​ of⁢ AI in IVF argue⁣ that⁤ it ⁣enhances ‌the chances⁣ of⁣ successful⁢ pregnancies and‌ reduces the⁣ risk of‌ genetic⁢ disorders,⁣ this⁣ technology⁣ could undoubtedly ⁣pave ⁢the​ way for ⁤eugenic ⁢practices.

The​ ability to use AI to choose embryos⁤ based⁤ on⁤ desired⁢ characteristics, such​ as physical​ attributes, ⁢intelligence, or⁤ disease ⁤resistance, ⁢could lead⁢ to‌ a​ society where ​individuals ⁤with ‍certain genetic ‌traits are ⁢valued ‌more ⁤than​ others. This ⁤could exacerbate existing⁣ social inequalities, further dividing⁤ the wealthy, who can‌ afford access to ⁢such advanced reproductive technologies, ‍and the economically ⁣disadvantaged, ⁢who cannot.

For⁣ those⁢ worried about⁣ inequity⁤ in society, the ‍potential⁢ disparity between “designer babies” created⁤ through AI-assisted‌ embryo selection and naturally conceived ‍babies ‍could become the ultimate divider ⁤of​ humanity.

Additionally, the focus‍ on creating⁢ “perfect” offspring through AI​ selection​ may​ overshadow the value of natural diversity and God-given ‍uniqueness.⁢ Celebrating‍ genetic ​variation and ‍individuality ‍may⁣ take ​a ‍backseat ⁣to⁤ an‌ obsession with‌ predetermined ideals⁣ of excellence.

IVF‍ has long⁤ been ⁤a ​contentious issue, primarily due ⁢to ⁣the ⁢decisions surrounding the fate⁢ of⁢ non-selected⁣ embryos⁤ and ⁣the‌ implications of⁤ gender⁢ selection.

With AI stepping ⁢into⁣ the earliest stages of‍ life,⁣ the ⁤ethical⁤ dilemmas intensify, and⁣ the blurring​ of the lines between ⁢healthcare ‌and​ defiance ‌to God​ continues ‌down a ‍slippery ‌slope⁤ that ⁤no one can​ see⁤ the bottom‌ of.

The⁢ post⁣ AI⁣ Babies Are a Thing,‌ And ‍They’re Raising​ Major Ethical Questions‌ appeared⁢ first on The Western ⁤Journal.