The latest from the Center for Genetics and Society ‌ ‌ ‌ DONATE February 10, 2022 Intelligence Squared Debate: Use Gene Editing to Make "Better Babies" February 17, 2022 5-6:30 PM EST CGS Executive Director Marcy Darnovsky and philosopher Francoise Baylis face off against geneticist George Church and futurist Amy Webb on the motion: Use gene editing to make "better babies." Cast your vote and register here to view the debate. In Case You Missed It: Last week, H-Eugenics hosted the Twitter conference “New Perspectives on Eugenics.” CGS Associate Director Katie Hasson presented from the @C_G_S Twitter account on missing voices in the discussions about heritable genome editing. You can find all of the presentations on the H-Eugenics Twitter page or at #HNet_Eugenics2022. Somebody Should Regulate Genomic Technologies, Says UK Government Report Pete Shanks, Biopolitical Times | 02.09.2022 Genomics Beyond Health, a new report from the UK Government Office for Science, is a primer for politicians that covers the science, history, and possible future uses of genomic technologies. It indicates several areas where regulation is badly needed, but overlooks existing legislation. GENOME EDITING | GENOMICS | ASSISTED REPRODUCTION EUGENICS | VARIOUS GENOME EDITING With CRISPR gene editing, unique treatments begin to take off for rare diseases Meeri Kim, The Washington Post | 02.05.2022 Ongoing studies using CRISPR to treat a variety of rare conditions in human patients show promising initial results, but the side effects and cost of gene therapies remain concerns. New CRISPR patent hearing continues high-stakes legal battle Jon Cohen, Science | 2.04.2022 The legal battle over who invented CRISPR continues. The latest hearing zeroed in on a crucial question: Who invented the “guide RNA” molecule that allows the genome editor to work in eukaryotic cells? GENOMICS I’m Thankful Every Day for the Decision I Made After My Prenatal Tests Amy Julia Becker, The New York Times | 02.01.2022 Pregnant women who receive prenatal diagnoses should get accurate information about what it’s like to raise a child with a disability. Expanded awareness of our collective responsibility is needed in order to welcome and support diverse lives. UK government advisers call for ‘proactive regulation’ around genomics Ian Sample, The Guardian | 01.26.2022 A new report from the Government Office for Science warns that the field of genomics is advancing rapidly in the U.K., requiring proactive regulation to avoid misuse. ASSISTED REPRODUCTION Washington lawmakers are considering criminalizing fertility fraud—but what exactly is that? Libby Denkmann and Sarah Leibovitz, NPR | 01.31.2022 When DNA testing reveals that fertility doctors used their own genetic material to impregnate their patients, there are few options for parents or children to pursue civil or criminal remedies. A new bill in Washington state would change that by making fertility fraud a crime. "It’s going to be hugely stressful" – Irish couples expecting babies via surrogacy in Ukraine urged to contact DFA Amy Molloy, Independent.ie | 01.27.2022 Escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia have brought uncertainty to couples expecting babies via surrogates in Ukraine. As the possibility of invasion looms, surrogacy clinics in Kiev are making contingency plans. 2022 State Legislative Efforts Bring New Hope For Those Struggling With Infertility Ellen Trachman, Above the Law | 01.26.2022 Nineteen states have passed laws to require health insurance coverage of infertility services. Several states will consider infertility insurance laws in the current legislative session. EUGENICS More than half the country has laws that allow forced sterilizations: new report Shirin Ali, The Hill | 02.07.2022 A new report from the National Women’s Law Center reveals that 31 states allow forced sterilization of people with disabilities. Women with intellectual disabilities are sterilized more than nondisabled women, and Black disabled women are more likely to be sterilized than white disabled women. Ideology as Biology Mark Borrello and David Sepkoski, The New York Review of Books | 02.05.2022 The death of renowned biologist E. O. Wilson occasions renewed scrutiny of his preoccupation with “sociobiology” and his controversial claims about race and genetics. What does his correspondence with a notorious proponent of race science tell us about his most controversial work? Disabled activist speaks out about feeling ‘disposable’ during pandemic Rachel Scheier, San Francisco Chronicle | 02.05.2022 For disabled activist Alice Wong, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky’s recent controversial comments were just another example of the medical establishment discounting the lives of disabled people. History offers a cautionary tale for biometric covid tracking systems Michelle Spektor, The Washington Post | 02.03.2022 Places around the world are using biometric technologies for coronavirus contact tracing and surveillance. The historical intertwining of biometrics and eugenics research raises concerns about its potential misuses. Can an Equation to Help Determine Kidney Health Be Racist? Jill Neimark, Undark Magazine | 01.19.2022 Many medical equations and guidelines adjust for race, including a common tool for measuring kidney health. Critics say that using them reinforces stereotypes and may have harmed Black Americans for years. VARIOUS Top White House scientist resigns after review finds he demeaned staff Tyler Pager, The Washington Post | 02.07.2022 Eric Lander, President Biden’s top science adviser, resigned after apologizing for mistreating and demeaning his colleagues in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. If you've read this far, you clearly care about the fight to reclaim human biotechnologies for the common good. Thank you!  Will you support CGS by making a donation today? DONATE SUBSCRIBE | WEBSITE | ABOUT US | WHO WE ARE | CONTACT ‌ ‌ ‌ DONATE The Center for Genetics and Society | 2900 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, CA 94610 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!