Q&A: Dor Yeshorim Project
Dor Yeshorim Project
Question
Hello Rabbi,
What is your opinion, ethically and halakhically, regarding the Dor Yeshorim Project (genetic tests that check the likelihood of a recessive disease appearing in the couple’s children before marriage)? Is it morally right not to bring a sick child into the world (and does that depend on the severity of the disease)? And besides that, do you think the health of future children is a factor in forming a relationship (for example, would the test constitute grounds for the couple to break up)? A bit of a strange question—thanks in advance!
Answer
I’m not familiar with the project. But when a sick fetus is discovered, in my opinion it is not moral to abort it. If it is at a very early stage and the suffering expected for the child (not for the parents) will be very great, perhaps there is room to be lenient.
The children’s health is definitely a factor. After all, you are planning to have children, so why not take that into account? Once a strong relationship has already formed, whether to break it up is a dilemma that should be discussed separately. But from the outset, it is obviously better not to get into trouble.