George Church’s DigiD8 Brings Eugenics to Dating Apps

Certified genetic counselor Katya Orlova discusses George’s Church’s new venture, DigiD8, which aims to add a new layer to how people match on dating apps: preventing matches between individuals who are both carriers for the same autosomal recessive condition. (DigiD8’s tagline? “Science is your wingman.”) Is it eugenics? Could any good come out of it? What are the implications for disability rights as well as genetic data privacy and security. Do we want genetic testing to inform who we meet and with whom we may or may not have any children? 

Follow Katya on Twitter: @KOsnp 

Related Articles & Links 

FAQ response from George Church Park, Andrea. “Harvard geneticist developing DNA-based dating app to eliminate genetic disorders.” Becker’s Hospital Review. December 9, 2019. 

Flynn, Meagan. “A Harvard scientist is developing a DNA-based dating app to reduce genetic disease. Critics called it eugenics.“ Washington Post. December 13, 2019. 

Regalado, Antonio. "Here are some actual facts about George Church’s DNA dating company.” MIT Technology Review. December 11, 2019. 

Montgomery, Blake. “Harvard Scientist Thinks It’s ‘Ludicrous’ to Compare His Genetics-Based Dating App to Eugenics.” The Daily Beast. December 14, 2019. 

Hercher, Laura. “Is Genetic Medicine Making the World Less Fair?” The Nation. August 23, 2019. Dor Yeshorim 

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