A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal

Synthetic gametes and the non-identity problem: the babies of tomorrow




AuthorsVillalba, Adrian; Räsänen, Joona

PublisherCell Press

Publication year2025

JournalTrends in Genetics

ISSN0168-9525

eISSN1362-4555

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2025.08.004

Web address https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2025.08.004

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499862526


Abstract

Synthetic DNA technologies may eventually enable the creation of synthetic gametes, which would offer precise control over genetic inheritance. This possibility raises profound ethical questions about human identity, genetic selection, and evolutionary boundaries. While synthetic gametes sidestep person-affecting ethical concerns, they present challenges for balancing reproductive autonomy and minimizing heritable disease, prompting interdisciplinary reflection.


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Funding information in the publication
This work is funded by Fundació Víctor Grífols i Lucas (BEC-2024-07) and the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions grant agreement No. 101081293.


Last updated on 2025-12-09 at 12:00