News

'Superbabies' Startup Seeks Funds for Controversial Gene Editing Push

By Sophie Alexander and Ike Swetlitz, Bloomberg | 06.25.2025

A California-startup focused on genetically editing human embryos — a step toward creating so-called designer babies — is raising money as many of Silicon Valley’s ultra-rich turn their attention to one of the most controversial technologies in medicine.

Bootstrap Bio...

Patents & Other IP

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

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

Why Deleting Your 23andMe Data Is a Political Imperative

By Katie Sagaser, The DNA Exchange | 05.27.2025

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this piece are solely my own and do not represent those of my...

U.S. Federal

Trumpian “Common Sense” and the History of IQ Tests

By Pepper Stetler, Los Angeles Review of Books | 05.08.2025

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

This is...

Society

Should Cloning be Used for “De-Extinction”?

By John R. Platt, Scientific American | 03.06.2013
At some point in the next decade, if advances in biotechnology continue on their current path, clones of extinct species...
Human Cloning

Surrogate Offered $10,000 to Abort Baby

By Elizabeth Cohen, CNN | 03.06.2013
(CNN) -- Crystal Kelley ran through the calendar once again in her head.

It was August, and if she got...
U.S. States

UCSF Discovery a Potential "Earthquake" for Stem Cell Therapies

By Ron Leuty, San Francisco Business Times | 03.04.2013
A new type of stem cell, discovered by UCSF researchers, may open new possibilities for fixing damaged parts of the...
Biopolitics

Meet the New Eugenics, Same as the Old Eugenics

By Gina Maranto, <i>Biopolitical Times</i> guest contributor | 03.04.2013
The unfortunate truth is that discredited ideas never do die, they just rise again in slightly altered forms—witness eugenics.  Despite...
Technologies

BRCA1 gene patent ruling to be appealed

By Amy Corderoy, The Age [Australia] | 03.04.2013
A decision that private companies can control human genes will be appealed in the Federal Court.

Cancer groups have applauded...
Other Countries

Surrogacy Laws May Leave Australian Babies Stateless

By Kerry Brewster, ABC News [Australia] | 03.04.2013
In Australia, commercial surrogacy is illegal. The ban has resulted in a steady flow of heterosexual and gay Australians to...
Other Countries

Synthetic Biology Comes Down to Earth

By Paul Voosen, The Chronicle of Higher Education | 03.04.2013
Let's make one thing clear: Jim Collins won't grow you a house any time soon.

More than a decade ago...
Biotech & Pharma

Should Patients Understand that They are Research Subjects?

By Jenny Reardon, San Francisco Chronicle | 03.03.2013
While checking in last month for an appointment with my doctor, I was handed a clipboard and pen and asked...
U.S. States