Embryo Testing for Autism: What’s Possible—and What’s Ethical?
Advances in genetic testing are raising new possibilities—and new questions—about how we understand and select embryos during IVF. One area of growing attention is the use of polygenic risk scores (PRS) to estimate the likelihood of conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
What Is ASD?
ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder. It’s the medical term for what most people simply call autism.
Autism looks very different from person to person. Some individuals with ASD:
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Have difficulty talking or socializing
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Prefer routines and find change challenging
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They are highly sensitive to sound, light, or touch
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Show strong interests or talents in areas like music, math, or memory
Others may experience more mild or more noticeable challenges. It is called a “spectrum” because autism includes a wide range of behaviors and support needs.
Most signs of autism appear in early childhood, usually before age 3. Some early indicators include:
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Delays in speaking or pointing
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Avoiding eye contact
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Preferring to play alone
It is important to remember: children with ASD learn and grow like all children — they may just do it differently. Many individuals with autism go on to live happy, independent, and successful lives.
What Causes ASD?
There is no single cause, but scientists know that:
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Genes play a significant role
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ASD sometimes runs in families
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Environmental factors before or during birth may also contribute
ASD is not caused by parenting, vaccines, or anything someone did wrong.
Scientists estimate that only about 30% of autism cases have a known genetic cause. The remaining 70% likely result from a mix of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors that are not yet fully understood.
What Can Polygenic Testing Really Tell Us?
Companies like Orchid and Helio now offer PRS analysis for embryos, enabling estimation of relative risk for a variety of complex conditions, including autism.
Polygenic risk scores use data from many genetic variants to provide a statistical risk estimate. In other words, PRS might tell you that one embryo has a higher or lower estimated chance of developing ASD compared to another, but it cannot predict whether a child will develop autism.
This type of testing is not diagnostic. It is a probability tool, not a crystal ball.
Ethical Considerations: Risk vs. Responsibility
Using genetic testing to assess autism risk raises difficult ethical questions:
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Are we selecting embryos based on assumptions about what kind of child is “desirable”?
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Are we unintentionally devaluing the lives of individuals with autism?
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How do we balance reproductive choice with respect for neurodiversity?
Advocacy groups emphasize the importance of embracing diversity in all its forms. The idea of discarding embryos based on speculative risk can feel deeply troubling. Are we avoiding implanting embryos simply because we are guessing the baby might be autistic?
Conclusion: Proceed with Caution and Compassion
While testing embryos for autism risk is technically possible, it remains a limited and ethically complex use of genetic science. Autism is not a simple condition, and using PRS in embryo selection calls for thoughtful discussion, professional guidance, and a commitment to inclusion.
As the technology continues to evolve, we must ensure that our choices are guided not only by science but by empathy, ethics, and the belief that every child, regardless of genetics, is worthy of love and protection.
