Overview

Since the late 20th century, prenatal genetic testing has been an area of significant sociopolitical and ethical interest and debate. DNA holds information that shapes our biology, but the full trajectory of life also depends on the environment and other influences. With this in mind, current genetic testing technologies raise major questions about autonomy, access to medical knowledge, government regulation, and perceptions of disability and/or disease. In recent decades, scientific and technological advancements (e.g., new statistical methods to assess genetic information, the rise of national DNA/genome biobanks) have increased the number and scope of genetic conditions and traits that can be identified prenatally or as part of in vitro fertilization. Some corporations are marketing direct-to-consumer prenatal genetic testing, offering expansive and difficult to interpret results while bypassing the oversight and expertise of physicians and genetic counselors. The 2025 Landau symposium offers the chance to engage with clinicians, geneticists, historians, and philosophers about prenatal genetic testing, a topic squarely at the intersection of science, law, medicine, and the humanities. Join us as we explore questions such as:

• How should families, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers navigate the expanding power to screen for genetic traits?
• What are the promises and limitations of direct-to-consumer embryo and prenatal testing?
• What will be the role of newer technologies that shift the decision-making process away from humans (i.e., artificial intelligence)?
• How are these technologies reshaping ideas about health, disability, and identity?