Media Coverage of Genetically Modified Embryos

Posted by Jesse Reynolds May 13, 2008
Biopolitical Times

Here is a roundup of some of the media coverage from the weekend's revelation that scientists have created a genetically modified human embryo:

The Times (UK) revealed the development on Sunday. Dr. David King of Human Genetics Alert said, “This is the first step on the road that will lead to the nightmare of designer babies and a new eugenics. The HFEA is right to say that the creation and legalisation of GM embryos raises ‘large ethical and public interest issues’ but neglects to mention that these have not been debated at all.”

The Associated Press carried a piece, "Genetically modified human embryo stirs criticism," late yesterday, which has been picked up by at least 150 news websites, quoting CGS's Marcy Darnovsky.

Today, the New York Times ran an article with a similar title, "Engineering by Scientists on Embryo Stirs Criticism," also quoting Darnovsky: "It’s an important ethical boundary that scientists have been observing. These scientists, on their own, decided to step over that boundary with no public discussion."

The Press Association (UK) distributed a video clip of Human Genetics Alert's David King (caution: clip is followed by a noisy advertisement):

Much of this was kicked off from a press release by Human Genetics Alert [PDF]. For more information, see HGA's brief [PDF]. CGS will be publishing more commentary on the first genetically modified human embryo soon.

Previously on Biopolitical Times: