CGS : Civil Society

About Civil Society & Human Biotechnology

"Civil society" refers to institutional political actors outside of government and private enterprise, typically nonprofit advocacy organizations and foundations. The term "non-governmental organization," or NGO, is closely related.

Civil society organizations have come to play an important role in ensuring the accountability of governments, countering the power of corporations, and contributing to democratic governance.

For most of today’s important issues – war and peace, economic growth and equity, ecological sustainability, race and gender equality, and many others – there are dense networks of civil society institutions. For the issues surrounding human biotechnologies, a civil society infrastructure is just beginning to emerge.

Branstad Signs Bill Widening DNA Sampling to Misdemeanor CasesAssociated PressMay 16th, 2013People convicted of certain aggravated misdemeanors in Iowa now will be required to submit DNA samples to the federal DNA database.

Angelina Jolie and the Fate of Breast Cancer Genes[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Alexandra Le Tellier, Los Angeles TimesMay 14th, 2013Angelina Jolie described her double mastectomy as a way to gain control over mutations in her "breast cancer genes," but how much control we have over BRCA1 and BRCA2, and human genes in general, is yet to be determined.

There's More to Life Than Freezing Your Eggs[Quotes CGS's Diane Tober]by Jacoba Urist, The AtlanticMay 14th, 2013Suddenly, it seems, everyone is singing the praises of egg freezing as the latest cure for a woman's declining fertility, but it isn't quite the panacea the media would have you believe.

EEOC Files and Settles Its First GINA-based Employment Discrimination Lawsuitby Jennifer K. Wagner, Genomics Law ReportMay 13th, 2013Although individuals have brought complaints against employers alleging violations, this is the first lawsuit initiated by the EEOC to enforce the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

The Dark Art of Racecraftby Ta-Nehisi Coates, The AtlanticMay 13th, 2013Jason Richwine takes his place in a long history of research on race and IQ, one of the most discredited fields of study in modern history.

Talking Biopolitics is Back!by Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesMay 13th, 2013A series of live web-based conversations with cutting-edge thinkers on the social meaning of human biotechnologies will be kicking off next week. RSVP now to join the conversations!

The DNA in Your Garbage: Up For Grabsby Kevin Hartnett, The Boston GlobeMay 12th, 2013Drop a hair? Anyone can legally sequence your genetic material—and privacy experts want to close that gap.

The Big Freezeby Gina Maranto, Biopolitical Times guest contributor, Biopolitical TimesMay 9th, 2013The Wall Street Journal devoted almost two full pages to a piece championing social egg freezing, and gave it a headline that is pure sales.

Conservative Immigration Scholar: Black and Hispanic Immigrants Are Dumber Than European Immigrantsby Adam Serwer, Mother JonesMay 8th, 2013Jason Richwine, who coauthored a Heritage Foundation study on immigration, didn't just argue that certain minorities are dumber in his scholarship—he also said it at a public panel.

A Petition for Change in Memory of Dan Markingsonby Emily Smith Beitiks, Biopolitical TimesMay 8th, 2013The story of a young man’s premature death illustrates the medical-industrial complex at its worst.

Direct Action? Seats at the Table? All of the Above?by Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesMay 2nd, 2013Last week, some 15 French activists in chimpanzee masks disrupted a Forum on Synthetic Biology in Paris, raising questions about the appropriateness of that kind of activism.

How are Humans Going to Become Extinct?by Sean Coughlan, BBC NewsApril 25th, 2013Experiments in areas such as synthetic biology, nanotechnology and machine intelligence are hurtling forward into the territory of the unintended and unpredictable.

Prenatal DNA Sequencingby Antonio Regalado, MIT Technology ReviewApril 23rd, 2013Reading the DNA of fetuses is the next frontier of the genome revolution. Do you really want to know the genetic destiny of your unborn child?

The Baby Blueprint [VIDEO][With CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]Al Jazeera EnglishApril 22nd, 2013Would you choose your child's genetic potential? Live debate with Marcy Darnovsky, Stuart Newman, Julian Savulescu, and Nita Farahany.

Supreme Court Hears Gene Patent Case; Activists Rally on Courthouse Stepsby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesApril 18th, 2013The justices heard arguments in the Myriad gene patent case, and seemed critical of the patents but perhaps unwilling to make a broad ruling.

Synthetic Biology as Public Relationsby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesApril 17th, 2013Recent synthetic biology projects related to malaria, flu and conservation are providing PR cover for the field and its corporate sponsors.

New “Semisynthetic” Anti-Malarial Drug is Unneeded and Sets Dangerous Precedent While Threatening Farmer Livelihoods[Press Release]SynBioWatchApril 15th, 2013A pharmaceutical giant announced that it will replace the entire world supply of the preferred anti-malarial treatment with a semi-synthetic product produced using synthetic biology - a controversial, unregulated biotechnology.

Microbes Can Mass-Produce Malaria Drugby Emily Singer, MIT Technology ReviewApril 10th, 2013Drug makers can now brew large vats of the malaria drug artemisinin with synthetic biology techniques.

Three-Parent Children in UK Possible After HFEA Report[Quotes the Center for Genetics and Society]by Michael Cook, BioEdgeApril 6th, 2013The UK fertility regulator's report to the government misrepresented its own findings about public opinion.

Who Decides What Patients Need to Know?by Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesApril 2nd, 2013The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics report on "incidental findings" in genetic tests has kicked up a storm of controversy, not least because it seems to contradict February's ACMG recommendations about testing children.

Sex-Selective Discrimination Common in Indian Wombs: US StudyHindustan TimesMarch 31st, 2013Indian women carrying male foetuses are likelier to receive pre-natal medical care than their counterparts pregnant with girls, a new research by American scientists suggests.

The Era of Genetics-Based Advertising is Comingby Daniela Hernandez, WiredMarch 28th, 2013If you thought personalised advertising based on your Facebook status updates, Gmail content or online browsing behaviour was creepy, just you wait. The era of genetics-based advertising is coming, and it could be just as profitable.

Scientists Unravel Genetic Causes of Prostate, Breast and Ovarian Cancerby Ian Sample, The Guardian March 27th, 2013A national screening programme for prostate cancer could be introduced by the NHS following an international effort by more than 1,000 scientists to unravel the genetic causes of prostate, breast and ovarian cancer.

Brain Scans Predict Which Criminals are More Likely to Reoffendby Regina Nuzzo, NatureMarch 25th, 2013Neuroscientists say they have found a way to predict whether convicted felons are likely to commit crimes again from looking at their brain scans.

Beyond Tokenistic Inclusion: Science, Citizenship, and Changing the Questions by Ruha Benjamin, Huffington PostMarch 25th, 2013The scientific community prides itself on free and open inquiry, and yet when it comes to raising questions about the social and political implications of our work, a peculiar form of self-censorship seems to be at work.

Online Petition Seeks Justice on Behalf of Dan Markingsonby Emily Smith Beitiks, Biopolitcal TimesMarch 25th, 2013Dan Markingson's binding enrollment in a clinical drug trial led him to commit suicide just six months in; a close friend has initiated a petition asking the Minnesota governor to investigate.

Patients Should Get DNA Information, Report Recommendsby Jennifer Couzin-Frankel, Science InsiderMarch 21st, 2013Fourteen genetics experts, with the backing of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, are proposing that anyone whose genome is sequenced should automatically learn about serious health risks and problems.

Three-Person IVF Moves Closer in UKby James Gallagher, BBC NewsMarch 20th, 2013The UK has moved closer to becoming the first country to allow the creation of babies from three people.

A Rally Against Human Gene Patents on the Supreme Court’s Stepsby Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesMarch 19th, 2013Breast Cancer Action argues that when “a corporation controls human genes, corporate profits will always come before our health.”

Major Grocer to Label Foods With Gene-Modified Contentby Stephanie Strom, The New York TimesMarch 8th, 2013Whole Foods Market will become the first US retailer to require labeling of all genetically modified foods sold in its stores, a move that some experts said could radically alter the food industry.

Should Patients Understand that They are Research Subjects? by Jenny Reardon, San Francisco ChronicleMarch 3rd, 2013A routine form at a UCSF doctor's appointment stipulates that your tissues and cells can be collected, and that you have no rights to any "commercially useful products that may be developed."

The Throwawaysby Sara Mojtehedzadeh, GuernicaMarch 1st, 2013In Kenya, doctors are force-sterilizing HIV-positive women—in some cases, without their knowledge.

Justices Wrestle Over Allowing DNA Sampling at Time of Arrestby Adam Liptak, The New York TimesFebruary 26th, 2013The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that one justice said is "perhaps the most important criminal procedure case that this court has heard in decades.”

Connecting the Neural Dotsby John Markoff, The New York TimesFebruary 25th, 2013In setting the nation on a course to map the active human brain, President Obama may have picked a challenge even more daunting than ending the war in Afghanistan or finding common ground with his Republican opponents.

Can They Patent Your Genes?by Daniel J. Kevles, The New York Review of BooksFebruary 25th, 2013This spring, the Supreme Court will hear a case that may well decide whether genes can be patented, and the consequences for American biomedicine could be huge.

Faroes’ 50,000 Residents Leap Into DNA Testing Quagmireby John Lauerman, BloombergFebruary 24th, 2013A proposed plan would decipher the complete DNA sequence of every citizen of the Faroe Islands, but a deeper debate about issues of privacy, ownership, and utility is still needed.

DNA and the Constitution[Editorial]The New York TimesFebruary 24th, 2013The substantial harm to innocent people that could result from the misuse of DNA greatly outweighs the benefits. And the safeguard against such harm is the Fourth Amendment, whose fundamental protections the Maryland court upheld. The Supreme Court should do likewise.

New Guidelines for Genetic Testing in Childrenby Bonnie Rochman, TimeFebruary 21st, 2013The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics have released a new statement on genetic testing in children, suggesting ways to navigate the ethical, legal, and social complexities.

A Call for International Prohibition of Forced Genital-Normalizing Surgery and Sterilizationby Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 21st, 2013A new report from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture focuses on human rights abuses in health-care settings, and bolsters LGBTQI activists in their fight against involuntary sterilizations and genital-normalizing surgeries.

We Are Egg Donors: A New Self-Advocacy Community by Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 19th, 2013Women who have donated their eggs or are considering it can share stories and research, provide mutual support, and leverage their presence beyond that of individual women who are heavily recruited and then instantly forgotten.

Too Much InformationSupreme Court 2013: Why collecting DNA from people who are arrested won’t help solve more crimes.by Brandon L. Garrett and Erin Murphy, SlateFebruary 12th, 2013Research shows that police solve more crimes not by taking DNA from suspects who have never been convicted, but by collecting more evidence at crime scenes.

Horror in a Mass Sterilization Camp: Unconscious Indian Women Were Dumped in a Field After Undergoing a Painful Sterilization Operation by Carol Kuruvilla, New York Daily NewsFebruary 7th, 2013A sterilization drive at a rural hospital in West Bengal ended in scandal after four doctors rushed to sterilize 106 Indian women within a day and left them outside to recover.

Israel Admits Targeting Ethiopian Jews for Compulsory Contraception by Diane Tober, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 7th, 2013Israeli government officials have admitted to coercing Ethiopian Jewish immigrant women into taking long-acting contraceptive injections.

Will Pre-Conviction DNA Collection Become the National Norm?by Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 7th, 2013The United States Supreme Court will hear a case later this month that will determine the legality of collecting DNA from people who are arrested for but not convicted of any crime.

Supreme Court to Hear Fight Over Taking DNA From Arrested Peopleby David Savage, Los Angeles TimesFebruary 2nd, 2013The Supreme Court will hear a privacy rights challenge to the police practice of taking DNA from people arrested but not convicted.

Proposal to Collect DNA From Immigrants Too Orwellian: Opinion by Opinion staff, Daily NewsJanuary 31st, 2013Undocumented immigrants should not be required to submit DNA samples as a condition of staying in the United States.

French Gay Marriage Plans Stir Parenthood Debateby Associated Press, NPRJanuary 31st, 2013The president's promise to legalize gay marriage was seen as relatively uncontroversial when it first came up, but the news reopened a raw national debate on fertility treatments, surrogacy and adoption.

3 Years After Inception, a DNA Technique Yields Little Success for the Policeby Joseph Goldstein and J. David Goodman, The New York TimesJanuary 27th, 2013The process of turning crime-scene DNA into a family tree of possible leads has been quietly undertaken in more than two dozen cases in New York City since 2009, but there have as yet been no cases solved due to a lead generated by a "family search."

Privacy Fear for DNA Dragnetby Tony Wall, Stuff (New Zealand)January 20th, 2013A district court judge who is a world expert in forensic DNA has called for a public debate on the use of familial DNA testing, saying it raises serious privacy issues and has the potential to subject entire families to life-long genetic surveillance.

Born to Run the World?by Abby Lippman, Biopolitical Times guest contributor, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 17th, 2013Forget about glass ceilings, sexism in employment, gender inequities, and all those other structural and societal policies and practices that put obstacles in the way of women (and racialized groups) getting ahead. Maybe they just lack the "leadership gene."

A Rebuttal to Mark Lynas’ GMO Reversalby Jason Mark, Earth Island JournalJanuary 11th, 2013Organic farmer, writer, and environmental policy advocate delves into Lynas' rationale for turning pro-GMO and finds scientific, environmental, economic, and social reasons not to agree.

Your Medical Data in the Cloud? Not So Fast, Says HHS Privacy Officialby Andrea Peterson, Science ProgressJanuary 9th, 2013Digital health records are superior to physical ones for many reasons, but data security and privacy of health information are major obstacles and policy has not yet caught up with practice.

More Female Fetuses Aborted in Europeby Claudia Hennen, DWJanuary 7th, 2013Sex selection is not just a problem confined to China and India: New statistics show skewed sex ratios in favor of boys in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro.

UK Government's Enthusiasm for GM Not Matched in Developing Nationsby John Vidal, The Guardian January 4th, 2013Across the world, countries are turning their backs on GM crops; perhaps the coalition in the UK could learn something from them.

Rape in India: A Result of Sex Selection? by Erika Christakis, TimeJanuary 4th, 2013Behind the angry protests over the horrific gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old medical student is an even deeper story: the preference for male babies in India and much of the world may be at the root of this senseless violence.

As a Girl in India, I Learned to Be Afraid of Menby Mira Kamdar, The AtlanticJanuary 4th, 2013Sex-selective abortion, female infanticide and the sheer neglect of girls have made for a growing gender gap in India. In the wake of the brutal gang rape of a young paramedical student in Delhi, Indian citizens have taken to the streets to show their outrage.

Human Rights Court Orders Costa Rica to Legalize In Vitro Fertilizationby L. Arias, Tico TimesDecember 20th, 2012The Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued a ruling against the government of Costa Rica condemning its ban on in vitro fertilization.

German Federal Court Bans Mass Genetic TestingDeutsche WelleDecember 20th, 2012A German court has ruled that evidence from voluntary mass genetic testing cannot be used against participants' family members.

Gendercide Stingsby S.A., The EconomistDecember 18th, 2012A lawyer and women’s rights activist is taking an unusual approach to India’s skewed sex ratios.

A DNA Database in the NHS: The End of Privacy?by Helen Wallace, Public Service EuropeDecember 12th, 2012Governments, police, journalists, employers, insurers and even nosy neighbours would inevitably get access to personal information about medical conditions and non-paternity if a DNA database is built in the National Health Service.

Genome Challenge Emerges in Society Sharing DNA Benefitsby John Lauerman, Bloomberg BusinessweekDecember 9th, 2012Scientists at a Nobel conference in Stockholm voiced worry that we will end up with a genetic divide, increasing already problematic social inequalities.

Welcome to DownTown Abbeyby Jane Ridley, Page Six MagazineDecember 6th, 2012New York City's modern-day dukes and duchesses blur the lines between upstairs and downstairs, demanding their household help provide everything from donated eggs to properly behaved aquatic animals.

The Jury is Out on Nationwide DNA Databaseby Peter Stanners, The Copenhagen PostDecember 1st, 2012Questions remain about whether a nationwide DNA database would help solve more crimes or simply be an ineffective drain on police resources.

Girls R Us: Sex Selection, Sound Bites and Weak Databy Gina Maranto, Biopolitical Times guest contributorNovember 21st, 2012Evidence-light provocations about “the end of men” notwithstanding, sex selection for sons remains a growing global crisis.

Social Codes: Sharing Your Genes Onlineby Daniela Hernandez, WiredNovember 9th, 201223andMe, which calls itself "the first genetic social network," is launching a mobile app that lets users organize and share their genomes online. Privacy is a concern the company will leave to its users to navigate.

Opinion: Science in the Courtroomby James Tabery, The ScientistNovember 6th, 2012Should biological explanations for criminal behavior influence a judge’s or jury’s decision about how to handle a case? If so, how?

Making Babies, Just to Make Ends Meetby Susan Straight, The New York TimesNovember 3rd, 2012After learning that her neighbor became a surrogate to pay the bills, the author finds out more about what it's been like for her to rent out her womb.

Military Mind Warsby Jonathan D. Moreno, The ScientistNovember 1st, 2012How neuroscience research can inform military counterintelligence tactics, and the moral responsibilities that accompany such research.

Money Doesn't Talk, It Liesby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesNovember 1st, 2012California's Proposition 37, which would require labeling of genetically modified food, is being battered by a million dollars a day of deceptive commercials, but the race is roughly tied.

Why Cheaper Genetic Testing Could Cost Us a Fortuneby Bonnie Rochman, TimeOctober 26th, 2012Experts are concerned that new genetic tests will increase overall health care spending and that test results will make it harder for people to get insurance.

Will My Son Develop Cancer? The Promise (and Pitfalls) of Sequencing Children’s Genomes by Bonnie Rochman, TimeOctober 22nd, 2012Can you imagine wanting to know whether your newborn baby will fall victim to Alzheimer’s disease decades down the road? What about cancer or diabetes?

Colman Chadam, California Boy, Ordered To Transfer Schools For Carrying Cystic Fibrosis Gene Huffington PostOctober 18th, 2012An 11-year-old has been ordered to leave his current school because of his genetic makeup. His parents are taking the issue to court.

DNA Analysis: Far From an Open-and-Shut CaseForensic evidence is widely considered to be the result of purely objective lab tests, but there's growing proof that psychological bias plays a partby Vaughan Bell, Guardian [UK]October 13th, 2012DNA forensics can become less a case of "matching barcodes" than one of deciding whether any one of the numerous and disjointed "barcode fragments" seem to fit the original.

Vote for the Dinner PartyIs this the year that the food movement finally enters politics?by Michael Pollan, New York TimesOctober 10th, 2012California’s Proposition 37, which would require that genetically modified foods carry a label, has the potential to change the politics of food not just in California but nationally too.

Economics and Genetics Meet in Uneasy UnionUse of population-genetic data to predict economic success sparks war of words.by Ewen Callaway, NatureOctober 10th, 2012A paper about to be published in a prestigious economics journal claims that a country’s genetic diversity can predict the success of its economy. Critics of the study see genetic determinism, and even racism.

'Single Gene May Hold Key to Life Itself'by Nathaniel Comfort, Huffington PostSeptember 23rd, 2012"Gene for..." headlines may be a symptom of, or catalyst for, Americans' infatuation with controlling life.

Crucial GMO Food Fight in Californiaby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 20th, 2012California's Proposition 37 aims to label GMO foods, and the industry is fighting back hard.

Selling Sickness: The Conferenceby Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 19th, 2012Health care reformers and drug industry critics will gather to challenge the global tide of disease mongering.

Science, Standards and Forensics: Part III by Brandon L. Garrett, Huffington PostSeptember 9th, 2012If we are going to use forensics to put people in prison for years, Congress should pass legislation to make forensics far more of a science.

Where Is the Path Forward for Forensics? Part II by Brandon L. Garrett, Huffington PostSeptember 7th, 2012Problems abound with DNA forensics and have led to numerous wrongful convictions, but so far, scientific recommendations have been ignored by Congress. What is the path forward?

Forensics on the Hill: Part I by Brandon L. Garrett, Huffington PostSeptember 5th, 2012Donald Eugene Gates' fate was sealed by two stray hairs and he spent nearly three decades in prison, before his innocence was finally proven. How often is DNA forensics wrong?

South Carolina to Collect DNA After Every Felony Arrestby Seanna Adcox, Associated PressSeptember 1st, 2012South Carolina’s law enforcement agency will soon collect DNA samples from people when they’re arrested for a felony – rather than post-conviction.

DNA Test Jailed Innocent Man for Murderby Hannah Barnes, BBC NewsAugust 31st, 2012Scientists, lawyers and politicians have raised concerns over the quality of forensic evidence testing - is the criminal justice system too reliant on lab tests without seeing their limitations?

Forensic Test Can Predict Hair and Eye Colour From DNAby Paul Rincon, BBC NewsAugust 24th, 2012Scientists have developed a forensic test that can predict both the hair and eye colour of a possible suspect using DNA left at a crime scene.

Who's Your Daddy? DNA Clinic Gives Answers, Sparks Concernsby Lily Kuo, ReutersAugust 22nd, 2012A mobile DNA testing facility is raising questions about the ramifications of quick and easy tests to determine paternity and other biological connections.

Vt. High Court to Weigh Pre-Conviction DNA Testingby Dave Gram, The Boston GlobeAugust 20th, 2012The Vermont Supreme Court has been asked to rule on the constitutionality of a 2009 law allowing the state to take DNA samples from people charged with but not yet convicted of crimes.

Stop and Swab: Dramatic Increases in DNA Police Databasesby Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesAugust 20th, 2012DNA databases continue to grow exponentially as more U.S. states allow police to seize DNA samples from people who have been arrested but not convicted, and from those suspected of misdemeanors as well as felonies.

Special Journal Issue on Genes and Athleticsby Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesAugust 9th, 2012Just in time for the 2012 Summer Games, the journal Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences has published a special issue on genetics and athletics.

NY Law Expanding DNA Database Takes Effectby Dan Wiessner, ReutersAugust 1st, 2012Almost anyone convicted of a crime in New York is now required to submit a DNA sample to the state's sweeping criminal database.

Supreme Court May Review Case over DNA Samplesby Jonathan Stempel and Terry Baynes, ReutersJuly 30th, 2012The Supreme Court signaled on Monday that it may review whether law enforcement officials may collect DNA samples from people who have been accused, but not convicted, of serious crimes.

Federal Court Taking Second Look at Calif. DNA Lawby Associated Press, Yahoo NewsJuly 26th, 2012A federal appeals court decided to take another look at a California law that requires DNA samples to be taken from anyone arrested for a felony, not just after a conviction.

Myth of 'The Jukes' Offers Cautionary Genetics Taleby Dan Vergano, USA TodayJune 30th, 2012A look at the modern-day manifestations of the bad idea behind "the infamous Jukes family," as the founder of the eugenics movement described them.

The Place of Race in Understanding Healthby Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesJune 27th, 2012Anne Fausto-Sterling considers the meaning of race in health disparities, comparing the work of three prominent scholars who may shake up the status quo.

Human Genetics Commission Publish Final Reportby Rebecca Hill, BioNewsJune 7th, 2012The Human Genetics Commission has published its final report, which marks the end of its 12 years as an advisory body to the Government.

Bay Area Artist Looks to Biopolitical Issues for Inspirationby Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesJune 7th, 2012Bay Area artist Doug Minkler addresses concerns about synthetic biology and the corporatization of scientific research in his socially conscious posters.

Ancestry Testing Goes for Pinpoint Accuracyby Ewen Callaway, NatureJune 6th, 2012Commercial ancestry testing is now taking advantage of whole-genome scans, providing more accuracy, though a still imperfect picture of geographical origins.

N.C. House Approves Measure Compensating Victims of Eugenics Programsby Lynn Bonner, News ObserverJune 5th, 2012In a 86-31 vote, the state House approved a measure that will compensate people sterilized by a state authority over four decades ago.

Is International Governance on the Horizon for Synthetic Biology? by Daniel Sharp, Biopolitical TimesMay 31st, 2012New developments at the international level mark a potential victory for progressives concerned about synthetic biology.

DNA Study Seeks Origin of Appalachia's Melungeonsby Travis Loller, Associated PressMay 24th, 2012Varied claims have been made about the origins of a group of dark-skinned Appalachian residents. Some thought they originally came from Portugal, but a new DNA study shows a different story.

Klout, Social Media and the Politics of Science by Sona Makker, Biopolitcal TimesMay 23rd, 2012The social media landscape is not an even playing field - money delivers an edge, and hype often sells. How are social media and online influencers shaping discourse in the realm of science and technology?

Another Anti-Abortion Sting – This Time, Trying to Blame Planned Parenthood for Sex Selection by Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesMay 15th, 2012An anti-choice sting operation aims to convince Americans that confronting sex selection is best done by restricting reproductive rights.

What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets – New Book by Noted Scholarby Sona Makker, Biopolitical TimesMay 2nd, 2012What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets, the new book by leading philosopher Michael Sandel, explores the consequences of a society in which everything and anything has a price tag.

Union of Concerned Scientists Exposes “Corporatization” of Scienceby Daniel Sharp, Biopolical TimesMarch 15th, 2012A new Union of Concerned Scientists report addresses the dangers of corporate influence in science, and provides recommendations for governance.

Collecting Stories about the Harms of Gene Patenting by Marcy DarnovskyFebruary 23rd, 2012The ACLU launches a public campaign education campaign about the consequences of gene patenting.

Stop the Genetic DragnetPolice currently collect samples of DNA from detainees—retaining the DNA even if a suspect turns out to be innocentby The Editors, Scientific AmericanNovember 22nd, 2011Police in about 25 states and federal agents can take a DNA sample after arresting, and before charging, someone. If they are cleared, their DNA stays downtown, a record that is hard to erase.

Bay Area Local News Reports on Asian Egg Marketby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesNovember 17th, 2011Demand is high for young Asian women willing to provide their eggs for other people’s fertility treatment.

Lab Fight Raises U.S. Security Issuesby Jennifer Gollan, New York TimesOctober 22nd, 2011Biosafety expert Paul Rabinow resigned from the UC Berkeley-led Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center, and asserted that the Center is not doing enough to prevent a biological disaster.

Police Balk At Submitting Their Own DNA to Forensic Databasesby Osagie K. Obasagie, Biopolitical TimesOctober 20th, 2011Despite their ardent support for expanding DNA databases for criminals and non-convicted arrestees, many police officers are refusing to submit their own DNA, calling it a civil rights violation.

Celebrating Dorothy Roberts and Fatal Inventionby Doug Pet, Biopolitical TimesOctober 6th, 2011The Center for Genetics and Society co-sponsored two events celebrating Dorothy Roberts' new book, Fatal Invention: How Science, Politics, and Big Business Re-Create Race in the Twenty-First Century.

Celebrating Our Bodies Ourselvesby Doug Pet, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 29th, 2011A series of public events marks the 40th anniversary of Our Bodies Ourselves.

Turning 40, Going Globalby Gina Maranto, Biopolitical Times guest contributorSeptember 28th, 2011Born in Boston, Our Bodies, Ourselves has become an international force for women's rights.

Sex Selection: Not only Asia’s Problem, Says Council of Europe by Doug Pet, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 15th, 2011A committee of the Council of Europe approved a draft resolution and recommendations for addressing the growing problem of sex selection in Europe.

The Problem with Twin Studiesby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesAugust 26th, 2011Slate's Brian Palmer critiques the proliferation of scientific findings based on twin studies that claim to isolate the genetic underpinnings of human behavior.

Pro-choice women's health and public interest advocates voice concerns regarding fetal gene tests for sex and trait selectionAugust 22nd, 2011Tests raise concerns about the well-being of children, women and families and the prospect of testing for additional traits other than sex.

New Book on the Biopolitics of Raceby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesAugust 18th, 2011Dorothy Roberts' new book meets an urgent need: encouraging greater thought and public discussion on what new genetic technologies mean for society’s understanding of racial difference and its commitment to racial justice.

Concerns about fetal gene tests for sex and trait selection [video][Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]Al Jazeera (English)August 12th, 2011Al Jazeera English television station examines the impact of a new fetal gene test for sex and trait selection.

The Myriad Breast Cancer Patent Case Continuesby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesAugust 1st, 2011A federal appeals court mostly overturned the lower court ruling that invalidated Myriad's patents on breast cancer genes, but further appeals are expected.

New rules urged on hybrid animal-human experimentsby Ben Hirschler, ReutersJuly 21st, 2011A group of leading British researchers say that scientific experiments that insert human genes or cells into animals need new rules to ensure they are ethically acceptable.

Sperm Donor's 24 Kids Never Told About Fatal Illnessby Susan Donaldson James, ABC NewsJuly 21st, 2011Guidelines indicate that donated sperm cannot have any "relevant communicable disease or agent," but there is no limit on how many donations can be made nor is there any sharing of medical information between the donor and the child's family.

Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines on Outsourcing Clinical Trialsby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesJuly 19th, 2011Fault Lines’ Zeina Awad offers a compelling inside look into the questionable business of using vulnerable populations from the developing world to test drugs that will not benefit them and will largely be consumed by Westerners.

California agency: Little cells, big salary[Editorial]Los Angeles TimesJuly 7th, 2011The big paycheck of the state's stem cell research agency chief is disturbing, particularly because it's a time when most state agencies are making radical cutbacks.

Are Skewed Sex Ratios In America’s Future? by Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesJune 30th, 2011Might technological shifts turn Americans’ preference for sons into a full-blown son preference?

Eight Babies and the End of a Doctor's Careerby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesJune 15th, 2011Fertility specialist Dr. Michael Kamrava lost his license to practice medicine for repeated negligence involving three patients, including the mother of octuplets.

Honorary Degree For Henrietta Lacksby Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesJune 9th, 2011One of the most interesting ways in which Lacks has been recognized is the granting of a posthumous honorary degree (doctorate of public service) by Morgan State University

Axing Gamete Donor Anonymity: British Columbia Ruling Reflects Growing Global Conversation by Jillian Theil, RH Reality CheckMay 26th, 2011A British Columbia judge has ruled that anonymity for gamete donors in the Canadian province is unconstitutional.

Illinois Bill Could Allow State To Collect DNA From Those Presumed Innocent, Marking Nationwide Shift by Will Guzzardi, Washington PostMay 26th, 2011If Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signs House Bill 3238, it will mark a turning point in the national landscape on DNA collection.

Rights watchdog calls for halt to DNA testing[Canada]CBC NewsMay 25th, 2011Canada's civil liberties watchdog is calling on investigators in a murder investigation to immediately stop voluntary DNA sampling, calling the practice coercive.

High Court judge approves commercial surrogacy[United Kingdom]BBC NewsMay 19th, 2011Citing the welfare of the child involved, the judge retrospectively approved a commercial surrogacy arrangement made by a British couple who hired a woman from the Ukraine.

New Book on Race and Geneticsby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesMay 12th, 2011Science writer Alondra Oubré has just published an ambitious new book entitled Race, Genes, and Ability: Rethinking Ethnic Differences.

Tax agency: DNA test no proof of paternity[Sweden]by Rebecca Martin, The LocalMay 10th, 2011The Swedish Tax Agency does not want to recognise a DNA test as confirmation of the paternity of a Sierra Leone man currently living with his son.

Petition for an Egg Donor Registryby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesMay 5th, 2011A petition being circulated by the Alliance for Humane Biotechnology calls for the creation of a well-publicized national registry to track the long-term risks of egg retrieval.

Media Passes Gene Test, Parents Flunkby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesApril 21st, 2011Parents interested in having their own genes tested also want to test their kids, but the media reports quote experts recommending against routine testing of children for adult-onset diseases.

More Arguing About Human Gene Patents in Courtby Doug Pet, Biopolitical TimesApril 7th, 2011A Federal Court of Appeals panel heard oral arguments in the Myriad case, but gave no hint of its decision; either way, many expect it to go to the Supreme Court.

Genetic Bill of Rights: Teetering on the brink of Massachusetts law? by Doug Pet, Biopolitical TimesMarch 31st, 2011The Massachusetts legislature will deliberate on the introduction of a Genetic Bill of Rights next week. Public interest advocates are signing on in support while others oppose.

FDA Considers Regulation of DTC Gene Tests, Setting Blogs Ablaze by Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesMarch 17th, 2011Supporters and critics of direct-to-consumer gene tests debate an FDA advisory panel’s recommendations to conduct them in medical settings.

Profits, Princes and Police DNA Databasesby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesMarch 16th, 2011A new investigation reveals disturbing commercial pressures to establish forensic DNA databases that may go well beyond legal limits in Europe and the US.

Palace denies 'shameful' database link[United Kingdom]by Matthew D'Arcy, publicservice.co.ukMarch 11th, 2011A deal signed under Tony Blair's government to help the United Arab Emirates build a DNA database of its entire population must be scrapped, human rights and genetics bodies have warned.

Donor-Conceived Children Look for Their Own Biological Historyby Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesMarch 2nd, 2011A feature story in Newsweek highlights the growing trend for donor offspring to assert their right to know their genetic origins.

Past medical testing on humans revealedby Mike Stobbe, The Washington PostFebruary 27th, 2011Much of this horrific history is 40 to 80 years old, but it is the backdrop for a meeting in Washington this week by a presidential bioethics commission.

Donor-Conceived and Out of the Closetby Alessandra Rafferty, NewsweekFebruary 25th, 2011The children of anonymous sperm donors are growing up, speaking out, and demanding rights in a forum fraught with controversy.

Courts 'will reject test secrecy'[The United Kingdom]by Paul Rincon, BBC News February 24th, 2011There is a serious mismatch between the government's aim to commercialise forensic science and the requirement of courts for openness, according to a top forensic expert.

Is DNA taken from arrestees constitutional? by Nathan Gorenstein, Philadelphia InquirerFebruary 24th, 2011A federal appeals court will decide whether it is constitutional for the government to take DNA from people arrested but not convicted and keep the specimens on file like fingerprints.

Pushing the Bioethics Envelope to Serve Neo-Eugenic Purposesby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 24th, 2011Prominent British-based bioethicists seem to be changing the terms of debate, in favor of eugenic interventions.

State stem cell firm uses tax dollars for nonpublic campuses[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Katie Worth, San Francisco ExaminerFebruary 20th, 2011The Institute's bill for PR is also being called into question, in a time when public resources are especially scarce.

Woman with learning difficulties could be forcibly sterilised[United Kingdom]by Tim Ross, The TelegraphFebruary 14th, 2011A woman with learning difficulties could be forcibly sterilised after she gives birth this week to stop her becoming pregnant again.

Fertility Industry Fraud…Yet Again by Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 14th, 2011An Idaho fertility company failed to pay egg donors and lied to investigators when questioned about the non-payments.

DNA profiles to be deleted from police database[United Kingdom]BBC NewsFebruary 11th, 2011Following a critical European Court of Human Rights ruling, the UK will make wide-ranging changes to its DNA forensics policies.

State wants to collect your DNA on arrest, not convictionby Chris Sullivan, MyNorthwest.comFebruary 2nd, 2011There's a push in Washington state to start the collection process much earlier.

Home DNA kits to test paternity go on sale in shops[United Kingdom]by Anthony Baxter, BBCFebruary 1st, 2011It is the first High Street shop to sell the kits, which let people settle disputes over whether someone is father to a baby without outside help.

The murky world of reproductive medicine[Canada]CTV NewsJanuary 29th, 2011Sometimes the desire to have a baby is so strong that it has led Canadians to venture into an increasingly murky world of assisted human reproduction.

Bill seeks to regulate wombs-for-rent[India]by Kounteya Sinha, Times of IndiaJanuary 27th, 2011India's Union health ministry has now finalised the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) Regulation Bill 2010, which has been sent to the law ministry for its approval.

Pigging out on genetically modified porkby Christina Stevens, Global NewsJanuary 24th, 2011Genetically engineered pork may one day become a part of your local grocer's food list. But who's to decide whether or not this product should be on the shelves?

Clinical trials on trial[Commentary]by Osagie Obasogie, The New ScientistJanuary 22nd, 2011Vulnerable people are increasingly targeted as subjects for clinical research. Have we forgotten the lessons of past abuses?

Schumer visits Utica to tout DNA fingerprintingby Robert Brauchle, Utica Observer-DispatchJanuary 20th, 2011US Senator Charles Schumer is introducing federal legislation that would allow law enforcement agencies to take DNA samples from anyone arrested for violent crimes.

Uncle Sam could want YOU and your DNA, tooby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 20th, 2011A secretive group of scientific advisors recommends that the Department of Defense collect DNA from US soldiers, and gives little attention to the potential implications of such a practice.

Surrogacy Law: Conn. Gives Non-Genetic Parents Legal Rightsby Susan Donaldson James, ABC NewsJanuary 20th, 2011Connecticut's Supreme Court honors a signed agreement between a surrogate mother and a gay couple.

Police DNA test plan to put off prostitutes' punters[United Kingdom]by Jane Fae Ozimek, The Register (UK)January 19th, 2011Another day, another database idea.

Prisoners as Human Subjects: A Closer Look at the Institute of Medicine's Recommendations to Loosen Current Restrictions on Using Prisoners in Scientific Researchby Osagie K. Obasogie, Stanford Journal of Civil Rights and Civil LibertiesJanuary 18th, 2011Greater attention must be paid to prisoners’ heightened vulnerability as human subjects, and the relevance of human rights to research ethics.

Lisa Jardine starts egg donor compensation discussion[United Kingdom]by James Gallagher, BBC NewsJanuary 17th, 2011The UK's assisted reproduction regulatory agency has opened a public consultation about payments for sperm and eggs.

The Rise and Decline of Military Human Enhancementby Michael Burnam-Fink, Science ProgressJanuary 7th, 2011We are in, at best, a lull in military investments in human enhancement research. That is why now is a good time to start asking hard questions about how—and indeed if—we should proceed along this course.

Bioethics and its Discontentsby Gina Maranto, Biopolitical Times guest contributorJanuary 4th, 2011A call for bioethics to expand its framework, and to balance autonomy against the collective good without privileging either a priori.

Assisted reproduction and choice in the biotech age: recommendations for a way forward[Editorial]by Francine Coeytaux, Marcy Darnovsky, Susan Berke Fogel, ContraceptionJanuary 1st, 2011An editorial in the journal of the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.

The Corrupting Influence of the Business of Biotechby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesNovember 23rd, 2010Many scientists seem oblivious of the potential that industry funding offers for conflicts of interest.

Habermas Warns of Genetic Claims that Bolster Xenophobia by Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesNovember 4th, 2010One of the most influential living philosophers uses a New York Times op-ed to caution that "false biological conclusions" are fueling discrimination against Muslim immigrants in Germany.

New Scientist Puts Another Chink in DNA Forensics’ Armorby Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesOctober 14th, 2010The New Scientist’s Linda Geddes draws attention to the role of subjectivity in determining the significance of DNA evidence.

Abolition of HFEA 'won't save anything'BBC NewsSeptember 24th, 2010The former chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, one of many publicly funded non-governmental advisory bodies in the UK that may be scrapped, analyses the gap the abolition of the body will leave.

60 Minutes on Stem Cells and Snake Oilby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 22nd, 201060 Minutes recently re-aired a story about stem cell con artists who play on the desperation of people with fatal degenerative diseases.

Designer babies, with an Indian twistby Saritha Rai, Global PostSeptember 21st, 2010More and more Indians want egg donors, but only if they're from the right caste.

Should U.S. Citizenship Be Heritable?by Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesAugust 21st, 2010If not birthright, what should be the basis of citizenship?

How DNA evidence creates victims of chance by Linda Geddes, The New ScientistAugust 18th, 2010The DNA statistics juries are provided with often overstate the evidence

Gopher Kids or Guinea Pigs?by Doug PetAugust 13th, 2010University of Minnesota researchers attempting to investigate the genetic features of “normal and healthy” kids plan to solicit DNA samples from child-parent volunteer pairs at this month’s state fair.

ACLU says California DNA law violates privacyby Bob Egelko, San Francisco ChronicleJuly 14th, 2010The American Civil Liberties Union told a court that the government should not be allowed to take the "genetic blueprint" of someone who hasn't been convicted of a crime.

Universities Bank on Stem-Cell Research[Quotes CGS's Jesse Reynolds]by Robert A. Guth, Wall Street JournalJuly 1st, 2010Bay Area universities and research groups are betting they can spawn a new generation of medical breakthroughs and the next growth engine for the region's biotechnology industry.

Stem cells, human genes, and patentsby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesMay 14th, 2010A recent ruling on a stem cell patent is similar with concurrent challenges to patents on human genes related to breast cancer.

PTO Finds Stem Cell Patent Anticipated, Obvious in Light of 'Significant Guideposts'[Quotes CGS's Jesse Reynolds]by Tony Dutra and Joyce Cutler, The Bureau of National AffairsMay 12th, 2010The Patent and Trademark Office appeals board found that a patent on human embryonic stem cells was invalid as obvious at the time of invention.

BioConversations: Taking the Biotech Discussion Public by Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesMay 5th, 2010Introducing the first web series for parents about technologies that could alter human nature.

Upholding of WARF stem cell patent reversedThe Business Journal of MilwaukeeMay 3rd, 2010The US Patent and Trademark Office agreed with public interest critics and will likely end a major human stem cell patent.

Socially Responsible Science: A Neuroscientist Pledge by Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesApril 23rd, 2010It's time for neuroscience to catch up with other professions and pledge not to support aggressive war and torture, says Curtis Bell.

Gene Patents on CBS's "60 Minutes"by Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesApril 2nd, 2010This Sunday, the long-running American television news show will air a segment on the debate over human gene patents.

Gene-patenting issue not settled despite ruling[Quotes CGS's Jesse Reynolds]by Deborah L. Shelton, Chicago TribuneApril 1st, 2010A judge threw out patents on genes linked to breast and ovarian cancer, siding with scientists and health advocates who argue that a company cannot patent a product of nature.

Court Rules Isolated and Purified Breast Cancer Genes Unpatentable Under §101[Quotes CGS's Jesse Reynolds and Marcy Darnovsky]by Tony Dutra, The Bureau of National AffairsMarch 31st, 2010Isolated and purified DNA lacking “markedly different characteristics” from native DNA is not patentable, a US court ruled.

It Ain't 'Brave New World' Yet: Federal Court Strikes Down Human Gene Patents[Quotes CGS's Jesse Reynolds]by Peter Jamison, San Francisco WeeklyMarch 31st, 2010The Center for Genetics and Society is trumpeting a ruling from a New York-based federal court that squashed a biotech company's efforts to patent human genes.

Public Interest Group Praises Court Decision that Human Genes Cannot Be PatentedCenter for Genetics and Society Calls Ruling a Victory for Patients, Consumers and Responsible ResearchMarch 30th, 2010CGS welcomed yesterday's District Court decision invalidating patents on genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer, which ruled that human genes cannot be patented because they are products of nature

Emerging Technologies and a Sustainable, Healthy, Just WorldThe Case of Human Reproductive and Genetic Technologiesby Marcy Darnovsky and Jesse Reynolds, Biodiversity: The Newsletter of the Consultative Group on Biological Diversity (Winter 2010)Environmentalists are in a position to play a critically important role in determining how powerful, emerging technologies are ultimately developed, used, and regulated.

Pin the Sperm on the Eggby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 19th, 2010A San Francisco couple put a twist on the baby-making process by hosting a $35 a head party to raise funds for assisted reproduction.

Gene Patent Challenge Gets Support in the Pressby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 14th, 2010The lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of human gene patents received its first hearing, but the real developments occurred in the media.

Medical groups assail patenting of human genesby Elizabeth Weise, USA TodayFebruary 3rd, 2010Groups representing thousands of doctors, scientists and patients argued in court that no one should be able to patent human genes.

Technopolitics for the 21st Century: Civil Society Perspectivesby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesDecember 22nd, 2009Last week, the blog 2020 Science published ten invited "alternative perspectives on technology innovation" by public interest advocates.

Are UK Cops Pushing People Into the Pool? by Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesNovember 27th, 2009A new report from the UK suggests that police may be taking a new tactic: arresting people for the sole purpose of getting their DNA.

Genes and Jobs: U of Akron Tests the Testing Lawsby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesNovember 4th, 2009The University of Akron (UA) has a policy that could require any candidate for employment to submit a DNA sample, despite the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act.

Lawsuit against gene patents can proceed: judgeby Edith Honan, ReutersNovember 2nd, 2009A lawsuit challenging patents on two human genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer can move forward, a U.S. federal judge ruled.

ACLU Challenges California Prop. 69 by Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesOctober 16th, 2009Prop. 69’s arrestee provision marks a radical expansion of the government’s power to indefinitely retain intimate information about citizens – many of whom may have done nothing more than be accused of committing a crime.

It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Fails a DNA Ancestry Testby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 30th, 2009Officials in the United Kingdom have launched the Human Provenance Pilot Project in an attempt to use genetic technologies to determine the nationality of asylum seekers.

CGS and other groups file brief in support of challenge to gene patentsby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 1st, 2009A number of social justice and women’s health organizations have filed a "friend of the court" brief in support of the ACLU / Public Patent Foundation lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of human gene patents.

Public interest groups support groundbreaking challenge to human gene patentsCenter for Genetics and Society, Pro-Choice Alliance for Responsible Research, other organizations file brief backing lawsuitSeptember 1st, 2009Public interest, social justice, and women’s health advocates filed a "friend of the court" brief in support of a groundbreaking lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union and Public Patent Foundation challenging the constitutionality of human gene patents.

ACLU Files Summary Judgment Motion Challenging Patents on Gene Sequencingby Tony Dutra, The Bureau of National AffairsAugust 28th, 2009The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation and the Public Patent Foundation filed a motion for summary judgment challenging the legality and constitutionality of patent claims directed to isolating and analyzing human gene sequences.

The Battle to Patent Your Genes The Meaning of the Myriad Caseby Marcy Darnovsky and Jesse Reynolds, The American Interest (September - October 2009)A legal showdown looms over the patenting of human genes.

The Gene Hunt: Should Finders Be Keepers?[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Lynne Peeples, Scientific AmericanJuly 31st, 2009A lawsuit filed against Myriad Genetics questions the ethics of gene patents.

GATTACA Comes to Baseballby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesJuly 24th, 2009Major League Baseball has been using DNA tests on prospects from the Dominican Republic.

Everyday Eugenicsby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesJuly 22nd, 2009Although the American Eugenics movement ended over 50 years ago, aspects of eugenic thinking continue to pop up from what seems like out of nowhere.

Patenting human genes thwarts research, scientists sayby Robert S. Boyd, McClatchy NewspapersJune 3rd, 2009Rapid advances in biology and genetics are raising fresh concerns about the spreading practice of patenting human genes.

ACLU Lawsuit Says Gene Patents are Unconstitutionalby Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesMay 13th, 2009A legal challenge that could change the shape of the biotechnology industry.

Statement of support for legal challenge against patents on breast cancer genesMay 12th, 2009CGS applauds the efforts of the ACLU and the Public Patent Foundation to challenge the patents that have been granted on breast cancer genes.

Cancer Patients Challenge the Patenting of a Geneby John Schwartz, New York TimesMay 12th, 2009Cancer patients, researchers, and public interest groups are challenging the decision to grant a patent on a gene related to breast cancer.

Could genetic technologies set back efforts toward racial justice?January 28th, 2009New and emerging genetic technologies may be hindering efforts towards racial justice, according to a new report issued by the Center for Genetics and Society, a public interest group.

New Rule Expands DNA Collection to All People Arrestedby Spencer S. Hsu, The Washington PostDecember 12th, 2008Immigration and civil liberties groups condemned a new U.S. government policy to collect DNA samples from all noncitizens detained by authorities and all people arrested for federal crimes.

Bipartisan inquiry into California’s stem cell agency to hear from Jesse Reynolds by Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesNovember 18th, 2008The Little Hoover Commission, an independent state body that promotes efficiency and effectiveness, is launching a study of governance issues at the CIRM.

Conference explores Bay Area's hot new field of synthetic biology[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Lisa Krieger, San Jose Mercury NewsNovember 14th, 2008In an invitation-only meeting in San Francisco on Thursday, 80 activists discussed strategies to contain synthetic biology.

Synthetic Biology Debateby Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesOctober 30th, 2008A key civil society advocate debates a synthetic biology pioneer about "genetic engineering on steroids" - building artificial life from scratch.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. Interviews James Watsonby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesJune 9th, 2008Race scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr., who has filmed two documentaries on race, genetics, and ancestry while also founding a DNA ancestry company, was troubled by Watson’s seemingly pernicious use of race and genetics....This led Gates to interview Watson to, in a sense, determine whether he’s a bigot.

Genetic Enhancement as Mutually Assured Destructionby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesMarch 24th, 2008An article in the latest issue of Democracy - a fairly new progressive policy journal - frames the prospect of human genetic modification as a threat to global security.

Brave New World Warby Jamie Metzl, DemocracyMarch 21st, 2008Genetic engineering will soon turn science fiction to fact. Here's why we need a new global treaty to control it.

Neurolawby Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesMarch 13th, 2007Should courts be in the business of deciding when to mitigate someone's criminal responsibility because his brain functions improperly, whether because of age, in-born defects or trauma?

Beyond BioethicsA Proposal for Modernizing the Regulation of Human BiotechnologiesMarch 2nd, 2007Francis Fukuyama and Franco Furger presented an overview of their Beyond Bioethics, a new report that provides the most comprehensive examination to date of legislative and/or regulatory answers to the challenges raised by human biotechnologies in the United States.

Center for Food Safety Takes Its Concerns to YouTubeby Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 6th, 2007On the heels of its petition to the FDA to regulate cloned food product, The Center for Food Safety, has taken its battle online with a YouTube parody.

Quality-controlled embryosby Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 22nd, 2007Last week's news about the "world's first embryo bank" brought much-needed attention to the accelerating marketization of baby-making.

CGS weighs in on federal stem cell policyby Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 11th, 2007A Center for Genetics and Society analysis, Federal Stem Cell Policy: Lessons from California, has been included in a memo prepared by The Third Way, a DC-based “strategy center for progressives.”

A Majoritarian Proposal for Governing Human Biotechnologyby Richard Hayes, Bioethics ForumJanuary 3rd, 2007CGS's Executive Director reviews a proposal for comprehensive oversight of human biotechnologies, recently issued by Francis Fukuyama and Franco Furger.

Gender, Justice and the New Human BiotechnologiesNew Challenges for Equality, Human Rights and Social JusticeNovember 15th, 2006A briefing and discussion in Washington, DC, hosted by the Moriah Fund.

Calls for a Moratorium on Food from Cloned AnimalsGenetic CrossroadsOctober 20th, 2006A coalition of health, environmental, animal safety, consumer and religious groups has filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration aimed at the agency's pending decision on allowing meat and milk from cloned animals into the U.S. food supply.

Half fertility clinics allow parents to pick genderAssociated PressSeptember 20th, 2006"Almost half of U.S. fertility clinics that offer embryo screening say they allow couples to choose the sex of their child, the most extensive survey of the practice suggests."

Stem Cell Patents Come Under FireAssociated PressJuly 19th, 2006"A consumer group, a patent foundation and a stem cell scientist are challenging patents on human embryonic stem cells held by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation."

Democratizing BiopoliticsCivil Society and Human Biotechnologyby Marcy DarnovskyJuly 12th, 2006Presentation at "The Future of Bioethics in a Divided Democracy" conference, Albany, NY, July 13-14, 2006.

Reception for Publication of "Stem Cells and Public Policy" The Century Foundation and The Center for Genetics and Society discussed the issues raised in the new publication in a reception in New York on June 16, 2006.

Gender, Justice and the New Human BiotechnologiesNew Challenges to Equality, Human Rights and DemocracyJune 15th, 2006A briefing and discussion hosted by the Ford Foundation in New York

Opening Comments at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) consultation on Human Enhancementby Richard HayesJune 1st, 2006

Public Interest Groups Call for "Needed Balance" on Stem Cell Research Oversight CommitteeMay 24th, 2006

Letter to National Academies Regarding Balance on Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory CommitteeMay 22nd, 2006

Re-Designing Humanity?The promise and perils of the new human biotechnologiesA forum on stem cell research, human cloning, choosing the sex of your child, and other human biotechnologies, held at the World Affairs Council in San Francisco on April 18, 2006.

Democratic Control and the Public Interest in the Stem Cell Debateby Marcy DarnovskyMarch 2nd, 2006Presentation at "California's Stem Cell Initiative: confronting the Legal and Policy Challenges, Boalt Law School," University of California, Berkeley, CA

The World Economic Forum addresses human biotechnologiesGenetic CrossroadsFebruary 23rd, 2006George Annas writes about governing the emerging human biotechnologies in Global Agenda, the official publication of the World Economic Forum. Annas is chair of the Health Law Department at the Boston University School of Public Health and co-founder of Global Lawyers & Physicians.

Science Academy Creating Panel to Monitor Stem-Cell Researchby Nicholas Wade, New York TimesFebruary 16th, 2006"To fill a void in federal supervision, the National Academy of Sciences is setting up a committee to provide informal oversight over research with human embryonic stem cells."

How Much for a Dozen Human Eggs?by Kristen Philipkoski, WiredApril 28th, 2005"Health, not money, should be the priority of women hoping to sell their eggs to science, the National Academies concluded in a 240-page report published Tuesday. As a result, researchers should be barred from paying women for their eggs."

Stem cell guidelines get mixed reception: Critics say voluntary rules are too laxby Edie Lau, Sacramento BeeApril 27th, 2005A "committee of the National Academies on Tuesday issued voluntary guidelines for human embryonic stem cell studies... The recommendations fell short, however, of some critics' hopes for more vigorous oversight."

Comments on the National Academies Report, Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell ResearchApril 26th, 2005

Reclaiming Moralityby Marcy DarnovskyApril 3rd, 2005Presentation at "From Abortion Rights to Social Justice: Building the Movement for Reproductive Freedom," Amherst, MA

Californians Aware, Greenlining Institute, California Nurses Association, CalPIRG, and Redefining Progress Support Lee-Halpern Petition on Ethical Stem Cell ResearchPublic Interest Groups Call on California Stem Cell Institute to Adopt Reforms Requested in Petition by Former US Assistant Secretary for Health and Public Interest AttorneyFebruary 28th, 2005

REPORTSGenetic CrossroadsJanuary 24th, 2005

Presentation at the Symposium, "The Next Four Years, the Biotech Agenda, the Human Future: What Direction for Liberals and Progressives?"Stuart NewmanDecember 9th, 2004

Presentation at the Symposium, "The Next Four Years, the Biotech Agenda, the Human Future: What Direction for Liberals and Progressives?"William SaletanDecember 9th, 2004

Presentation at the Symposium, "The Next Four Years, the Biotech Agenda, the Human Future: What Direction for Liberals and Progressives?"by Sheldon KrimskyDecember 9th, 2004

The Next Four Years, the Biotech Agenda, and the Human FutureWhat Direction for Liberals and Progressives? December 9th, 2004At this New York symposium, over 400 New Yorkers gathered to hear five noted academics, authors and activists make the case that liberals and progressives need to support socially responsible control over the new human genetic technologies as a priority concern.

Introduction to "The Next Four Years, the Biotech Agenda and the Human Future"by Richard HayesDecember 9th, 2004Introduction to "The Next Four Years, the Biotech Agenda and the Human Future," New York, NY

Inequality, Democracy and the New Human BiotechnologiesA Threshold Challenge for the 21st CenturyJuly 15th, 2004A Report on the symposium, co-sponsored by Demos, Center for Genetics and Society, and The Century Foundation, in which nearly 130 participants gathered in New York City to discuss the challenges to equality and democracy posed by the advent of powerful new human biotechnologies.

Inequality, Democracy and the New Human Biotechnologies: TranscriptJuly 15th, 2004

Inequality, Democracy and the New Human Biotechnologies: Presentation Summaries July 15th, 2004

Inequality, Democracy and the New Human Biotechnologies: Speaker Bios and Organizational Information July 15th, 2004

Weird Science: The Implications of Playing With Nature[Quotes CGS's Richard Hayes]by Janet Kim, The Village VoiceJuly 13th, 2004

Cloning and Germline Intervention: U.S. Perspectives Perspectives on Reproductive Technologies and Biomedicineby Marcy DarnovskyOctober 13th, 2003Presentation at "Within and Beyond Human Nature," Berlin, Germany

Within and Beyond the Limits to Human Nature ProgramOctober 12th, 2003A Working Conference on the Challenges of the New Human Genetic Technologies.

Within and Beyond the Limits to Human NatureA Working Conference on the Challenges of the New Human Genetic TechnologiesSome 90 civil society activists and others from 70 organizations and 30 countries gathered from October 12-15, 2003 in Berlin to discuss what it will take to build a global movement to bring the new human genetic technologies under social control.

Human Biotechnology: Responding to Emerging Dangerous New Human Geneticsby Jesse Reynolds, Z MagazineMarch 31st, 2003

Human Cloning and Genetic TechnologyThe Global Challenge to Social Justice, Human Rights and the EnvironmentFebruary 25th, 2003The Heinrich Böll Foundation, the Center for Genetics and Society, and the Worldwatch Institute presented a briefing and discussion in Washington.

NEW HUMAN GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES ENGAGED AT THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM, PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZILGenetic CrossroadsFebruary 7th, 2003

A Less Valued Life [PDF]Population Policy and Sex Selection in Indiaby Rupsa MallikSeptember 30th, 2002

The Genome as CommonsThrough all the trials and tribulations of human history what binds us in the end is our common humanityby Tom Athanasiou and Marcy Darnovsky, WorldWatchJuly 1st, 2002Perhaps we must put the human genome itself on this endangered commons list, and note that if this genetic commons too is lost to partition and privatization, if it too becomes the privilege of the affluent, then none of us on either side of the divide can be sure of retaining the "humanity" we like to think we've achieved.

The Body Shopby Ralph Brave, The NationApril 22nd, 2002Ralph Brave discusses cloning-based stem cell research and other human biotechnologies in this review of "Our Posthuman Future" by Francis Fukuyama.

World Conference on Racism Addresses Human Genetic EngineeringGenetic CrossroadsOctober 3rd, 2001

OTHER NEWSGenetic CrossroadsJune 21st, 2001

UPCOMING EVENTSGenetic CrossroadsJune 21st, 2001

INTERNATIONAL COALITION FORMING TO OPPOSE HUMAN CLONING AND INHERITABLE GENETIC MODIFICATIONGenetic CrossroadsMarch 31st, 2001

POINTERS: SAMPLING OF ARTICLES ON HUMAN CLONING AND TECHNO-EUGENICSGenetic CrossroadsFebruary 21st, 2001

AAAS RELEASES REPORT ON HUMAN GERMLINE ENGINEERINGGenetic CrossroadsSeptember 19th, 2000

Reporting Rules for Gene Therapy Experiments to be LoosenedGenetic CrossroadsAugust 4th, 2000

UPCOMING EVENTSGenetic CrossroadsJune 12th, 2000

RECENT EVENTGenetic CrossroadsJune 12th, 2000

RAND study: "Biotechnology and Global Governance"Genetic CrossroadsJune 12th, 2000

"Enhancing the Human" symposium with Gregory Stock, Peter Sloterdijk, Daniel Kevles, Paul Billings, Gregory Benford; UCLA, May 21Genetic CrossroadsMay 10th, 2000

Computer scientist Bill Joy warns of dangers posed by genetic engineering, nanotechnolgoy, and roboticsGenetic CrossroadsApril 16th, 2000