CGS encourages responsible uses and effecitve governance of human genetic and assisted reproductive technologies

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Russia's CRISPR "Deaf Babies": The Next Genome Editing Frontier?

By Jackie Leach Scully & Teresa Blankmeyer Burke, Guest Contributors | 07.09.2019
Biopolitical Times

Editors note: This article was originally published on impactethics.ca and is reposted here with generous permission from Impact Ethics. 

In November 2018, the world learned that a Chinese biophysicist, He Jiankui, had used CRISPR genome editing technology to manipulate the genomes of two children prior to their birth to make them immune to HIV infection. This was followed by almost universal condemnation and calls for a global moratorium. But it was entirely predictable that before too long there would be...

Technologies

CGS Statement on the Introduction of the Senate Resolution on Gene-editing Research

By Center for Genetics and Society | 07.16.2019
Biopolitical Times

On July 15, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for the creation of international ethical standards for gene-editing research.

The Center for Genetics and Society welcomes the introduction of this resolution, which highlights the importance of international cooperation and broadly inclusive public deliberation in making the consequential decision about whether to allow heritable genome editing.

“The timing is key,” said CGS’ Executive Director Marcy Darnovsky. “Just last month, a second...

Technologies

‘Unimaginable Mishap’: Parents Sue CHA Fertility Center Alleging Babies Born Were Not Theirs

By Staff Writer, CBS Los Angeles [cites CGS' Marcy Darnovsky] | 07.09.2019

Aggregated News

An unidentified New York couple is suing a Los Angeles fertility clinic after they claim the woman gave birth to...

Assisted Reproduction

DNA-testing Firms are Lobbying to Limit Your Right to Genetic Privacy

By David Lazarus , Los Angeles Times | 07.02.2019

Aggregated News

Home DNA testing can be fun. I’ve done it for myself and for my dog. One of us unexpectedly turned...

Genomics

Biopolitical Times

Disability Rights and Heritable Genome Editing: Resources for Teaching and Learning

By Center for Genetics and Society | 07.19.2019

If you follow news about human germline editing — altering the genes and traits of future generations — you’re likely...

Technologies

CGS Statement on the Introduction of the Senate Resolution on Gene-editing Research

By Center for Genetics and Society | 07.16.2019

On July 15, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for...

Technologies

Book Review: 'Superior: The Return of Race Science'

By Pete Shanks | 07.11.2019

The use of modern genetics as a prop for centuries-old racist biases continues despite the best efforts of most scientists....

Eugenics

News

Senior Doctors Call for Crackdown on Home Genetic Testing Kits

By Hannah Devlin, The Guardian | 07.21.2019

Senior doctors have called for a crackdown on consumer genetic tests, following an influx of patients who have been wrongly told they are carrying dangerous mutations linked to cancer or other devastating conditions.

Women have been incorrectly informed by companies...

Genomics

How White Nationalists See What They Want to See in DNA Tests

By Heather Murphy, The New York Times | 07.12.2019

On the hate site Stormfront, one of the largest online discussion forums dedicated to “white pride,” sharing DNA results with fellow members has become a rite of passage for some members.

But what happens when users’ results show that they fail to meet their own genetic...

Genomics

‘Unimaginable Mishap’: Parents Sue CHA Fertility Center Alleging Babies Born Were Not Theirs

By Staff Writer, CBS Los Angeles [cites CGS' Marcy Darnovsky] | 07.09.2019

An unidentified New York couple is suing a Los Angeles fertility clinic after they claim the woman gave birth to a pair of babies that were not biologically theirs.

The lawsuit claims the Asian American parents were shocked to find...

Assisted Reproduction

'It's Totally Irresponsible': Canadian Ethicist Slams Rogue Russian's Plan to Edit Human Embryos

By Gemma Buck, National Post | 07.08.2019

Canadian bioethicists and genetics experts are speaking out against Denis Rebrikov, the Russian molecular biologist who plans — in defiance of international scientific norms — to alter human embryos using CRISPR gene-editing technology to allow prospective parents with genetic deafness...

Technologies

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