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 
Interested in hearing from someone who is living with Cystic Fibrosis or who has lost a child to Tay Sachs? Check out these Patient Stories episodes: Defying Cystic Fibrosis One Mountain at a Time, with Sophie Grace Holmes 
A Short Life with Tach Sachs and Advocating for Preconceptual Carrier Screening, with Shannon Miller 
Do you have questions or topics you’d like a genetic counselor to discuss on a future episode ? Leave us a short voice message here! We may use your message on a future show. 
Are you looking for genetic counseling? Grey Genetics is an independent telehealth genetic counseling and consulting company. Book an appointment with a genetic counselor specialized in your area of concern. All genetic counseling appointments take place over secure, HIPAA-compliant video-conferencing or by phone. 
Grey Genetics on Twitter: @GreyGenetics 
Grey Genetics on Instagram: @greygenetics 
Grey Genetics on Facebook 
Grey Genetics on LinkedIn