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




Villalba, Adrian; Räsänen, Joona

PublisherElsevier

2025

 Trends in Genetics

41

10

845

848

0168-9525

1362-4555

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

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

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499862526



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.


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 20/01/2026 08:16:37 AM