The latest from the Center for Genetics and Society ‌ ‌ ‌ November 25, 2020 Donate now Will you join the fight for genetic justice? December 1st is Giving Tuesday! Your contribution helps prevent powerful new human biotechnologies from undermining our chances for a fair and just future. Here are 3 easy ways to be a part of #GivingTuesdayCGS: 1 – Donate 2 – Follow CGS on Twitter and Facebook 3 – Forward this newsletter to 3 friends and encourage them to subscribe On the Status of Women, Chimeras, and Eugenics in Today’s World Pete Shanks, Biopolitical Times | 11.24.2020 The last couple of weeks have given us some remarkable stories – ludicrous, thought-provoking or both – from around the world. Some of these takes are so scorching hot that they self-combust. The Bioeconomics of Covid-19 Judith Levine, n+1 | 11.17.2020 How, exactly, do we value a human life? During the pandemic, the elderly and workers not deemed “essential” are treated as sacrificial, while libertarians scheme to generate herd immunity at fancifully low percentages and market logic is called upon to triage the infected as the neoliberal state dismantles the concept of public good. Quotes CGS' Marcy Darnovsky and Pete Shanks. EUGENICS | ASSISTED REPRODUCTION | STEM CELLS | DATA & PRIVACY | CANCEL CULTURE EUGENICS ICE is deporting women at Irwin amid criminal investigation into Georgia doctor Molly O’Toole, Los Angeles Times | 11.18.2020 The women, as well as lawyers, advocates and members of Congress, allege that ICE is retaliating against the group for speaking out against their treatment in the agency’s custody, and attempting to obstruct the investigation by withholding medical records and physically removing the evidence: the women themselves. Abortion provider changes name over Marie Stopes eugenics link BBC | 11.17.2020 Marie Stopes International, which provides contraception and abortions to women and girls in 37 countries, is now known as MSI Reproductive Choices. The charity said Stopes’ views on eugenics were in "stark contrast" to its values. It added that the events of 2020 reaffirmed a name change was the right decision. ASSISTED REPRODUCTION The Last Children of Down Syndrome Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic | 11.18.2020 Prenatal testing is changing who gets born and who doesn’t, and this is just the beginning. Few people speak publicly about wanting to “eliminate” Down syndrome. Yet individual choices are adding up to something very close to that, despite better healthcare and education that have expanded opportunities for people with Down syndrome. False Labor Lena Dunham, Harper's | 11.18.2020 The author reflects on the painful medical, social, and psychological aspects of her experience with infertility. STEM CELLS California’s vote to revive controversial stem-cell institute sparks debate Nidhi Subbaraman, Nature | 11.16.2020 The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine will receive billions in state funding — but some scientists oppose the plan. DATA & PRIVACY Prince George’s will use DNA registries to solve cold cases through new DOJ grant Katie Mettler, The Washington Post | 11.19.2020 The funding could help investigators reopen as many as 60 cold cases using forensic genetic genealogy — an investigative technique that draws on privately curated DNA databases from popular genealogy websites to compare with samples collected from crimes. Resisting the rise of facial recognition Antoaneta Roussi, Nature | 11.18.2020 Growing use of surveillance technology has prompted calls for bans and stricter regulation. CANCEL CULTURE What if Instead of Calling People Out, We Called Them In? Jessica Bennett, The New York Times | 11.19.2020 Professor Loretta J. Ross is combating cancel culture with a popular class at Smith College. She suggests “calling in,” which involves conversation, compassion and context. “Some people you can work with and some people you can work around. But the thing that I want to emphasize is that the calling-in practice means you always keep a seat at the table for them if they come back.” SUBSCRIBE | WEBSITE | ABOUT US | WHO WE ARE | CONTACT ‌ ‌ ‌ DONATE The Center For Genetics and Society | 1122 University Ave. Suite 100, Berkeley, CA 94702 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!