Articles and Commentary

Genetically engineered children?

By Marcy Darnovsky, The Hill | 12.01.2015

Should powerful new molecular engineering techniques be used to create genetically modified children? This is the question – literally, about the future of humanity – that’s been put on the near horizon by rapidly developing technology. Hundreds of people from...

Genetic Selection

Innovation and Equity in an Age of Gene Editing

By Charis Thompson, Ruha Benjamin, Jessica Cussins and Marcy Darnovsky, The Guardian | 05.19.2015

The first day of BEINGS2015, “A Gathering of Global Thought Leaders to Reach Consensus on the Direction of Biotechnology for the 21st Century”, in Atlanta, coincided with the announcement by the National Academy of Science and National Academy of...

Bioethics

The Blurred Lines of Genetic Data: Practicality, Pleasure and Policing

By Jessica Cussins, The Huffington Post | 05.08.2015

A new rumor is spreading that Apple may be leveraging its ubiquity to encourage iPhone owners to participate in DNA testing, perhaps to bulk up the medical data-collecting capabilities of its ResearchKit.

According to Antonio Regalado at MIT Technology...

Genomics

23andMe’s Dangerous Business Model

By Marcy Darnovsky, The New York Times | 03.02.2015

Many of us would be delighted to contribute to medical advances. But handing over reams of our genetic, health and personal information to companies like 23andMe – and paying them for the privilege – isn’t the best way to do...

Biotech & Pharma

Britain is on the Brink of a Perilous Vote for 'Three-Person In Vitro Fertilization'

By Marcy Darnovsky and Jessica Cussins, Los Angeles Times | 02.08.2015

Britain is about to become the only country in the world to explicitly allow the inheritable genetic modification of humans. With a vote Feb. 3 in the House of Commons, the country has paved the way for "three-person in vitro...

Biopolitics

UK Set to Legalize Babies With DNA From 3 Parents

By KQED, KQED Radio [With CGS's Marcy Darnovsky] | 02.06.2015

 

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After a parliamentary vote earlier this week, the United Kingdom is set to become the first country to legalize making a baby with DNA from three parents. The controversial procedure, which prevents mothers from...

Assisted Reproduction

Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests Should Come With a Health Warning

By Jessica Cussins, The Pharmaceutical Journal | 01.15.2015

In late 2014, the Google-backed company 23andMe announced that it would start selling its direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic test in Canada and the UK — despite being banned by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from selling it in the United States following...

Genomics

CRISPR Opportunities ... For What? And for Whom?

By Pete Shanks, Huffington Post | 12.10.2014

Money and deals are flowing into companies that promise to edit genes. Human, animal, plant, all kinds of DNA may be on the cutting board. And once the replacements are pasted in, the results could dramatically change our lives --...

Biopolitics