Reproductive autonomy and evolutionary biology: a regulatory framework for trait-selection technologies

Area of Science:

• Reproductive technologies
• Evolutionary biology
• Constitutional law

Background:

• The Constitution protects reproductive autonomy.
• New insights from evolutionary biology inform understanding of human procreation.
• Trait selection is a key component of reproductive strategies influencing inclusive fitness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the extent of constitutional protection for parental access to technologies influencing offspring characteristics.
• To explore the intersection of reproductive autonomy, evolutionary biology, and trait-selection technologies (TSTs).
• To propose a regulatory framework for TSTs.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Supreme Court opinions on reproductive autonomy.
• Integration of evolutionary biology concepts, specifically inclusive fitness and reproductive strategies.
• Categorization of TSTs into eight contexts for regulatory analysis.

Main Results:

• Access to TSTs warrants federal protection comparable to abortion access.
• A proposed limit to TST protection: technologies clearly and significantly damaging to the future child.
• A preliminary framework for distinguishing among eight contexts of TST use.

Conclusions:

• Parental reproductive autonomy extends to trait selection technologies.
• Balancing reproductive freedom with child welfare is crucial for TST regulation.
• A nuanced regulatory approach is needed to address diverse TST applications.