"Super babies," subway ads, and “ best baby” promises are grabbing headlines, but the story underneath is older and more complicated. We sit down with seasoned genetic counselors Laura Hercher and Bob Resta to unpack how early eugenic ideas are resurfacing through modern pronatalism, IVF add-ons, and polygenic embryo selection—now marketed as responsible parenting and better public health. The conversation pulls apart the science, the sales pitch, and the social stakes.

We start with a clear primer on positive and negative eugenics and how today’s rhetoric reframes “optimization” as health while centering IQ and status. Laura and Bob explain what preimplantation testing can do for known single-gene conditions and why polygenic scores for complex traits fall short, especially between sibling embryos. They detail the gaps in predictive power, the ancestry biases, and the way slick messaging leverages parental fear. We explore the costs and emotional toll of IVF, the push to make embryo screening a default choice, and the subtle shift from autonomy to judgment—decline testing and any “bad luck” becomes “earned.”

The stakes go beyond the lab. We talk about disability, dignity, and how lives exceed a genome. Culture and policy shape outcomes as much as DNA—funding, inclusion, and real support matter. We examine the tech elite’s fixation on IQ, the comfort of genetic determinism for the newly powerful, and the risks of chasing outliers like “tallest,” “smartest,” or “chillest” as if those scores define worth. Throughout, we highlight the counselor’s role: translate limits honestly, differentiate risk reduction from speculative enhancement, and resist hype with clear, humane language.

If this topic hits home, share the episode, rate the show, and send us your questions. Please consider an end-of-year gift to support our ethics work, free educational resources for patients and providers, and access to genetic counseling. Your voice and support help shape a future that welcomes more kinds of people, not fewer.

Genetic Support Foundation: https://geneticsupportfoundation.org/

Lettercase National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Resources: https://www.lettercase.org/

Holiday sales make DNA kits look like shortcuts to certainty, but the fine print tells another story. We sit down with genetic counselor and rare disease advocate Devin Schumann to pull back the curtain on direct-to-consumer genetics—how “raw data” portals overwhelm families and how risks interpreted as conclusive results quietly reshape medical records and care.

Together we map the real differences between consumer reports and clinical-grade testing: phenotype-driven interpretation, rigorous variant curation, and a plan that aligns with your health questions. Devin shares vivid cases—from anxiety-inducing “cancer” flags to companies that market tests for conditions without validated genes—and offers a practical checklist of red flags: one-click add-on reports, “for entertainment only” disclaimers next to health claims, aggressive advertising to parents, and vague data policies. We also dig into the murky “physician-mediated” loophole, why certifications don’t guarantee sound interpretation, and how third-party browsers amplify confusion with AI-written summaries and contradictory variant notes.

Access and equity are front and center. We talk tele-genetics, how to find qualified help even in “genetic deserts,” and why a short, focused clinical report can be more valuable than a sprawling portal. The librarian metaphor brings it home: you deserve a guide who knows which shelf matters, not a maze of unread books. We close with concrete steps to protect families and push for change—how to report misleading products to the FDA and FTC, and why supporting the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act (HR 6280) can expand counseling access nationwide.

If you’ve been tempted by a holiday DNA deal or you’re navigating a diagnostic odyssey, this conversation gives you clarity, language to advocate for yourself, and safer options that respect your goals. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest question about genetic testing so we can tackle it next.

Genetic Support Foundation: https://geneticsupportfoundation.org/

Lettercase National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Resources: https://www.lettercase.org/

What happens when scientific discoveries collide with sensationalist headlines? When Japanese scientists published research showing they could remove the extra copy of chromosome 21 in isolated skin cells, media outlets quickly proclaimed: "Could Down syndrome be eliminated?" These dramatic claims not only misrepresented the actual science but sparked legitimate concern among people with Down syndrome and their families.

Dr. Nicole White, principal investigator for Down Syndrome Achieves, and Dr. Meredith, both mothers of people with Down syndrome, join us to unpack what's really happening with this CRISPR technology. The reality? While researchers removed the extra 21st chromosome from some cells in a lab setting, we're light-years away from "eliminating Down syndrome" - and that's not the goal most scientists are pursuing or that society would approve for the technology.

We dive deep into how CRISPR works, why isolated skin cells in petri dishes are dramatically different from living human beings, and the staggering technical challenges that make this technology far more limited than headlines suggest. What emerges is a more nuanced story about precision medicine that could potentially address specific health conditions associated with Down syndrome rather than attempting to "cure" a genetic difference that many people consider central to their identity.

The conversation raises profound questions about media responsibility, scientific ethics, and who gets to decide research priorities. As Dr. White explains, "Any of this needs to be done with input from the community, with that careful care and stepwise approach and acknowledging all of the risks and what didn't work." We explore how sensationalist reporting robs individuals with Down syndrome of the opportunity to evaluate research objectively and reinforces harmful stereotypes that devalue their lives.

Whether you're fascinated by genetic technology, concerned about disability rights, or simply want to understand how to read scientific news more critically, this episode offers valuable perspective on one of the most misunderstood genetic research stories of recent years. Join us as we separate hype from hope and explore what's truly possible - and ethical - in genetic research.

Genetic Support Foundation: https://geneticsupportfoundation.org/

Lettercase National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Resources: https://www.lettercase.org/