The Center for Genetics and Society brings social justice and human rights to the center of public and policy discussions about human genetics and assisted reproduction.

Featured

Can doctors test embryos for autism? And should they?

By Brittany Luse, Liam McBain, and Neena Pathak, NPR [cites CGS' Katie Hasson] | 05.28.2025

Aggregated News

A newly available kind of genetic testing, called polygenic embryo screening, promises to screen for conditions that can include cancer, obesity, autism, bipolar disorder, even celiac disease. These conditions are informed by many genetic variants and environmental factors - so...

Genetic Selection

Fourth International Summit on Genome Editing Emphasizes Ethical and Societal Concerns

By CGS | 05.29.2025
Biopolitical Times

Last week, May 21–23, a broad range of experts gathered in Boston to discuss the future of powerful biotechnologies with the potential to change what it means to be human. The fourth in a series of international Summits on human genome editing, this event was organized by the Global Observatory for Genome Editing, which “seeks to expand the range of questions arising at the frontiers of emerging biotechnologies … and fosters international, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral dialogue.” Like previous Summits...

Policies

Trumpian “Common Sense” and the History of IQ Tests

By Pepper Stetler, Los Angeles Review of Books | 05.08.2025

Aggregated News

"Donald Trump Signs The Pledge" by Michael Vadon 
is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

This is...

Society

The Emperors’ New Clothes

By Pete Shanks | 05.29.2025
Biopolitical Times

A review of More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley’s Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity...

A "Post-Human" Future?

Biopolitical Times

Remembering George Annas (1945-2025)

By Marcy Darnovsky | 06.17.2025

The Center for Genetics and Society mourns the loss of long-time colleague George Annas, who died on May 30. A...

Society

Fourth International Summit on Genome Editing Emphasizes Ethical and Societal Concerns

By CGS | 05.29.2025

Last week, May 21–23, a broad range of experts gathered in Boston to discuss the future of powerful biotechnologies with...

Policies

The Emperors’ New Clothes

By Pete Shanks | 05.29.2025

A review of More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley’s Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity...

A "Post-Human" Future?

News

Dozens of States Sue to Block the Sale of 23andMe Personal Genetic Data

By Staff, The Associated Press | 06.10.2025

PORTLAND, Ore. — Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia on Monday filed a lawsuit in bankruptcy court seeking to block the sale of personal genetic data by 23andMe without customer consent. The lawsuit comes as a biotechnology company seeks...

Policies

'Not a horse and pony show': At FDA cell and gene roundtable, officials look for ways to cut red tape

By Darren Incorvaia, Fierce Biotech | 06.05.2025

 

"Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at Legends Event Center in Phoenix, Arizona." by Gage Skidmore licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

At a June 5 cell and gene therapy roundtable hosted by the...

Genomics

First Personalized CRISPR Gene Editing Therapy Patient Baby KJ Discharged

By Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD, Inside Precision Medicine | 06.03.2025

On Tuesday, 307 days after he was first admitted to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), KJ Muldoon went home after being successfully treated with the first personalized CRISPR gene editing therapy. KJ, who was born with a serious and...

Genetic Selection

Gene editing leaders call for 10-year suspension of heritable human genome editing

By Darren Incorvaia, Fierce Biotech | 05.28.2025

An international group of gene editing leaders has put out a call for a 10-year ban on heritable human genome editing (HHGE), extending a moratorium that was first proposed in the fallout of a Chinese researcher’s widely decried use of...

Policies

Video
Reproduction and Family Formation: The State and the Market
Use Gene Editing to Make Better Babies | Debate | Intelligence Squared U.S.
The 'Perfect' Baby?: The Dangers of Gene Editing in Assisted Reproduction