CGS : Jillian Theil's Blog Posts

Jillian Theil's Blog Posts

Jillian Theil graduated June, 2010 from UCLA with a BA in Political Science, with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Society and Genetics. As part of her work as an undergraduate student researcher for the UCLA Center for Society and Genetics, she helped to develop a curriculum and team-teach genetic concepts and the social implications of biotechnology to high school students in Watts, California. She is also the co-president and co-founder of the Society and Genetics Undergraduate Organization, which explores the implications of biotechnologies for society through discussions, philanthropic activities, and workshops. In 2009, she spent a semester abroad in Bilbao, Spain studying Spanish and international relations. She has also worked as a research assistant on the 2010 annual symposium at UCLA, Outlaw Biology?: Public Participation in the Age of Big Bio.

Egg Donation Surveyby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesAugust 2nd, 2011A survey circulated by Generations Ahead is collecting information on how women think and feel about egg donation.

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.

Gene of the Week: Attack on the "Warrior Gene"by Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesMay 11th, 2011In an effort to expose the “blame-it-on-our-genes-craze,” John Horgan at Scientific American takes a closer look at the so-called warrior gene.

Another Expansion of DNA Databases: South Korea Collects DNA from Labor Unionistsby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesApril 14th, 2011South Korea is expanding its DNA database to include labor activists, which is proving controversial, while the US and other countries try to define the scope of their own.

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.

Are We Protecting Human Subjects? by Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesMarch 7th, 2011A panel has been created to review the adequacy of current human subjects protections at home and abroad.

Isn't It Time to Focus on the Real Future?by Jillian Theil and Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 16th, 2011Time magazine features a glowing story about Ray Kurzweil, of Singularity fame. But does the hoopla around Kurzweil's tomorrow distract from the important problems of today?

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.

Mother Jones’ Illustrated Epigenetic Primerby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 10th, 2011Mother Jones features “The Illustrated Guide to Epigenetics.”

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.

Pros at Prose: DTC Poetry Slamby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 13th, 2011A poetry contest sponsored by 23andMe inspires an outpouring of counter-verse that proves to be both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Top Biopolitical Times blog posts of 2010by Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesDecember 22nd, 2010Our favorite posts of 2010.

23andMe's Spit Kit: The Gift that Keeps on Giving All Year 'Round?by Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesDecember 15th, 201023andMe announces a new pricing model which requires a one-year subscription to their services. But it may not be this holiday season’s best gift that keeps on giving.

CGS seeks spring and summer internsby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesDecember 3rd, 2010The Center for Genetics and Society is seeking interns for Spring and Summer 2011 to work in support of the full range of CGS activities.

Guide to Genetic Privacy Releasedby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesDecember 2nd, 2010The Council for Responsible Genetics offers a new consumer’s guide to understanding the privacy implications of genetic technologies.

Grim News for Assisted Reproduction Regulatory Bodies in Canada and the UKby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesDecember 1st, 2010The UK's HFEA is on the chopping block due to a new reform bill, while the chair of Canada's AHRAC is under scrutiny for questionable performance.

No Laughing Matter: The Risks that Human Research Subjects Faceby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesNovember 18th, 2010Joking about putting human research subjects into harm’s way isn’t funny.

An Eye on GeneWatchby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesNovember 4th, 2010The latest issue of GeneWatch provides readers with a range on perspectives on the controversial direct-to-consumer genetic testing industry.

French Human Rights Group Blasts Police Collection of Roma DNAby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesOctober 20th, 2010If true, recent allegations that French police have been illegally collecting DNA from Roma individuals would constitute a disturbing case of genetic discrimination.

The Genetic Gist of JIMby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesOctober 7th, 2010A new independent film with a timeless message.

Genism of the week: hybrid cars, chocolate, science fiction movies, mustard and jazzby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 23rd, 2010News coverage of a recent study on preferences fosters the worst kind of "genism."

Never Let Me...Clone?by Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 16th, 2010New film explores a world with reproductive clones raised for organ donation.

Of geese and genesby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 2nd, 2010The Financial Times publishes an argument for a "pre-competitive commons."

The Tempest: Following the Storm of Reactions after the GAO Reportby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 1st, 2010The GAO report kicks up a flurry of reactions, from applause to pushback.

Class Cancelled: Media Coverage of UC Berkeley’s Retreat on Gene Testsby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesAugust 26th, 2010Two weeks after UC Berkeley backed away from its widely criticized “Bring Your Genes to Cal” program, controversy continues.

Oversight Agencies Crash the Spit Partyby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesAugust 5th, 2010Recent events involving oversight agencies have made a strong case for federal regulation of the DTC industry