a majority of U.S. adults say changing a baby's genes to treat a serious congenital disease is appropriate % ofus. adults who say changing a baby's genetic characteristics for each of the following reasons is
About seven-in-ten Americans (72%) say that changing an unborn baby’s genetic characteristics to treat a serious disease or condition that the baby would have at birth is an appropriate use of medical technology, while 27% say this would be taking technology too far. A somewhat smaller share of Americans say gene editing to reduce a baby’s risk of developing a serious disease or condition over their lifetime is appropriate (60% say this, while 38% say it would be taking medical technology too far). But just 19% of Americans say it would be appropriate to use gene editing to make a baby more intelligent; eight-in-ten (80%) say this would be taking medical technology too far.
a majority of U.S. adults say changing a baby's genes  | to treat a serious congenital disease is appropriate  | % ofus. adults who say changing a baby's genetic characteristics for each of  | the following reasons is  | technology Taking medical  | Appropriate use of  | technology too far  | medical technology  | Treat a serious  | disease/ condition the  | 27%  | 72%  | baby would have at birth  | Reduce the risk of a  | serious disease that could  | 60  | 38  | occur over their lifetime  | Make the baby  | 80  | 19  | more intelligent  | Note: Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.  | Source: Survey conducted April 23 May 6, 2018.  | "Public Views of Gene Editing for Babies Depend on How It Would Be Used"  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 