Subject: Biopolitical Views & News: Confronting Biotech Utopias / Pinker's Problems
From: Center for Genetics and Society <[email-masked]>
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Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2015 02:20:41 +0000

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September 10, 2015

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Talking Biopolitics with George Annas and Lisa Ikemoto ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1af3akTyNsO )

Wednesday, October 7 - 11am PT / 2pm ET / 18:00 GMT
In this Talking Biopolitics conversation, Boston University professor of law and health and human rights expert George Annas will be interviewed by UC Davis professor of law and CGS fellow Lisa Ikemoto about Genomic Messages: How the Evolving Science of Genetics Affects Our Health, Families, and Future, a newly released book by Annas and Sherman Elias.

( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1677bkTyNsP )

Announcing a UC Berkeley film series: Being Human in the Biotech Age ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1a7bakTyNsQ )
First up: FIXED: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement

Tuesday, September 29, 4:00pm - 470 Stephens Hall, UC Berkeley
This award-winning documentary takes a close look at the drive to be &ldquo;better than human&rdquo; and the extreme technologies that may take us there. A panel discussion will follow. It's the first in a series of 2015-2016 campus screenings co-organized by Center for Genetics and Society ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1a6fakTyNsR ); Center for Society, Technology, Medicine & Society ( http://cstms.berkeley.rsvp1.com/s1663bkTyNsS ); and the Department of Gender and Women's Studies ( http://womensstudies.berkeley.rsvp1.com/s1a47akTyNsT ).

CGS at the European Forum Alpbach, Austria

Marcy Darnovsky led a session on genetics and inequality ( http://www.alpbach.rsvp1.com/s164bbkTyNsU ) at the European Forum Alpbach ( http://www.alpbach.rsvp1.com/s165fbkTyNsV ), "an interdisciplinary platform for science, politics, business and culture" established in 1945. The Forum's Seminar Week ( http://www.alpbach.rsvp1.com/s1a53akTyNsW ) brought together participants, including many undergraduates and graduate students, from across central Europe.

CGS at the Medical University of Innsbruck

Marcy Darnovsky gave a lecture Should the Human Germline be Edited? Social, Policy and Ethical Considerations ( https://i-med.rsvp1.com/s1a17akTyNsX ) at the invitation of Ethucation - Network for Bioethics in Education and Advanced Training ( https://i-med.rsvp1.com/s161bbkTyNsY ), at the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria.

CGS Joins Community Advisory Board for Kaiser Permanent's Research Project on Genes, Environment, and Health

Elliot Hosman has joined local community members to form the new Northern California Community Advisory Board (CAB) for the Kaiser Permanente Research Bank (KPRB). For information on Kaiser Permanente's work in this field, see the Research Program on Genes, Environment, and Health ( http://www.dor.kaiser.rsvp1.com/s160fbkTyNsZ ).

Biotech Imagination: Whose Future is this? ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s17f79kTyNt0 )

by Jessica Cussins
A feature in PLOS Biology highlights insider predictions about the next ten years in genetics and genomics with unanimous optimism. But whose future is this?

Fast Forward-Pause-Stop: The 3-Speed Human Germline Debate ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1bfb8kTyNt1 )

by Lisa C. Ikemoto, Biopolitical Times guest contributor
CRISPR&rsquo;s rapid uptake has spurred proposals from moratoria to get-out-of-the-way optimism, but ad hoc responses aren&rsquo;t enough when there is so much at stake.

"Moonshot Medicine": Putative Precision vs. Messy Genomes ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1bef8kTyNt2 )

by Gina Maranto, Biopolitical Times guest contributor
The promise is "personalized" genetic treatment plans; the reality is that most health disparities are environmental.

The Moral Imperative for Psychologists ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s17e39kTyNt3 )

by George Annas, Biopolitical Times guest contributor
Is Steven Pinker&rsquo;s recent essay a hidden plea to save scientific research from the perversion of ethically unfettered technological progress?

Pinker's Damn: A Naive Rejection of Controls Over Genetic Engineering ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1bc78kTyNt4 )

by Stuart Newman, Biopolitical Times guest contributor

Steven Pinker's credulous optimism concerning human germline modification ignores a record of complicity by some scientists, and appropriation of the work of others, in abuses by industry and government.

The Rhetorical Two-Step: Steven Pinker, CRISPR, and Disability ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s17cb9kTyNt5 )

by George Estreich, Biopolitical Times guest contributor

Steven Pinker&rsquo;s invitation for bioethics to &ldquo;get out of the way&rdquo; of the CRISPR revolution typifies a rhetorical pattern: uncritical support for human-focused biotech is paired with a negative view of disability.

Is It Worth Your Time and Money to Freeze Your Eggs? [Video]  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s17df9kTyNt6 )
[Interview with CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]

by Staff, Broadly [VICE]
This report investigates the commercial promises of Egg Banxx "freezing parties" while following a patient through the process of egg retrieval.

Blind people can be racist, too, study says ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1bd38kTyNt7 )
[Cites CGS's Osagie Obasogie]

by Carina Storrsh, CNN
A new study suggests blind people don't think about the physical attributes of race, but Osagie Obasogie disputes the idea that blind people enter social interactions with a blank slate.

Genome Editing: The Age of the Red Pen  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1b978kTyNt8 )
[Cites CGS]

The Economist
Germline editing is widely seen as a bourn no ethical traveller should cross. Some scientists want a moratorium on any work aimed at engineering the germ line; others say basic research should continue.

CRISPR: The Latest Biotech Hype ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s179b9kTyNt9 )

by Anne Fausto-Sterling, Boston Review
What began with an attempt to build a better yogurt now has journalists speculating about Brave New World scenarios, but the bio-hype relies on a false model of genetic determinism.

Why there&rsquo;s an urgent need for a moratorium on gene editing ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s183b8kTyNta )

by Vivek Wadhwa, Washington Post
Changing human DNA creates a frightening ethical grey zone; no one is prepared for an era when editing DNA is as easy as editing a Microsoft Word document.

GM embryos 'essential', says report ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s182f8kTyNtb )

by James Gallagher, BBC
A stem cell consortium issues a statement advocating for germline gene editing of human embryos.

Calls for IVF laws to be changed to take advantage of gene editing technique  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s14239kTyNtc )

by Steve Connor, The Independent
A statement by medical research funders in the UK suggests that benefits of modifying the human germ-line could outweigh the ethical objections.

Where&rsquo;s the Beef? Why I Disagree with Pinker on CRISPR ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s18078kTyNtd )

by Paul Knoepfler, Knoepfler Lab Stem Cell Blog
"The bottom line is that the keys to a constructive path forward on CRISPR-Cas9 and human genetic modification overall will be more data as well as balance in discussion and policy making."

Conversation with Kelly Hills: Human Genetic Modification & Bioethics ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s140b9kTyNte )

by Paul Knoepfler, Knoepfler Lab Stem Cell Blog
&ldquo;It can be very tempting, when `doing science,&rsquo; to merely think about the pieces in front of you: I&rsquo;m swapping out broken DNA for something better! But&hellip;how do we define broken? How do we define better?&rdquo;

Biohackers Gear Up for Genome Editing ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s141f9kTyNtf )

by Heidi Ledford, Nature News
DIY labs and synthetic biology "amateurs" are working with cheap and easy-to-use CRISPR gene-editing technology to create novel GM organisms, causing concerns about regulation and safety.

Alphabet/Google Isn&rsquo;t Evil but Genetically Modifying Mosquitos Might Be ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s18138kTyNtg )

by Mic Wright, The Next Web
Recent biotech hype about using gene drive to reduce global malaria is best understood as a new chapter in humanity's historically poor record of forcibly changing ecosystems.

Choosing Children&rsquo;s Sex Is an Exercise in Sexism ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s18578kTyNth )

by Tereza Hendlo, The Conversation
Australian guidelines for ethical use of IVF allow sex selection for medical reasons. But draft guidelines now open for public submissions may allow the choice for social reasons.

Fertility Clinics Let You Select Your Baby&rsquo;s Sex ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s145b9kTyNti )

by Sumathi Reddy, The Wall Street Journal
&ldquo;Family balancing&rdquo; can become a smoke screen for families who want boys. Nonmedical sex selection is legal in only a few countries, including the US; medical organizations are split on the issue.

Sex-Selective Abortions Lead Indian Men far Afield for Brides ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s144f9kTyNtj )

by Associated Press, New York Post
A stark shortage of young women in India leads to brides being brought from afar, despite linguistic and cultural differences.

Nepal Bans Surrogate Births &mdash; Worry for Gay Israelis  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s18438kTyNtk )

by JTA, The Forward
Many gay Israelis now travel to Nepal for surrogacy because Israel bans surrogate pregnancies for same-sex couples.

Australian Families in Limbo as Nepal Joins India and Thailand in Banning Commercial Surrogacy  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s14679kTyNtl )

by Lauren Wilson, News.com.au ( http://News.rsvp1.com/s186b8kTyNtm )
The Supreme Court of Nepal issued an interim order putting an immediate stop to commercial surrogacy services.

Experts Call for Greater Scrutiny of Egg Donation Practices ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s187f8kTyNtn )

by Patrice Wendling, Clinical Endocrinology News Digital Network
Some clinics and agencies may be minimizing risks in recruitment ads and websites, incentivizing repeated donations, or overstimulating donors for the benefit of recipients and clinic success rates.

Freezing Eggs May Reduce A Woman's Odds Of Success With IVF ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s14739kTyNto )

by Robin Marantz Henig, NPR
With egg freezing being touted as a way for women to potentially expand future childbearing options, the viability of those eggs when they're defrosted is still relatively unknown.&rdquo;

To Freeze or Not to Freeze? ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s18f78kTyNtp )

ABC Australia
Women in their 20s, 30s and 40s are choosing to freeze their eggs while they wait for the perfect partner or navigate the ideal career path.

IVF Availability Linked to Motherhood Delay ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s14fb9kTyNtq )

by Arit Udoh, BioNews
An Israeli study finds that policies that increase access to affordable IVF serve as "fertility insurance" and encourage women to delay motherhood.

Seoul Sets Advisory Limit on IVF Embryo Transfer ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s14ef9kTyNtr )

by Claire Lee, The Korea Herald
South Korea&rsquo;s Health Ministry is revising its guidelines for IVF, discouraging medical professionals from transferring more than three embryos in a single procedure.

Political Notes: CA bill protecting same-sex parents advances ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s18e38kTyNts )

by Matthew S. Bajko, Bay Area Reporter
Gay, lesbian and unmarried couples who use assisted reproduction and third party gametes would be recognized as parents from the moment their child is born.

We're Tantalizingly Close to a New Era in Childbirth  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s14c79kTyNtt )

by Ellie Kincaid, Tech Insider
Doctors and scientists are working on a number of experimental technologies to try to make getting pregnant easier for older women.

IVF Mix-Up Case Now Before Court of Appeal ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s18cb8kTyNtu )

by Selina Lum, The Straits Times [Singapore]
A woman whose was conceived with a stranger's sperm rather than her husband's is appealing to be awarded upkeep costs.

The Risks of Turning Races Into Genes  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s18df8kTyNtv )

by Matthew W. Hughey, The Huffington Post
"Race" is man-made, and much of the scientific enterprise has traditionally supported the myth that racial differences accurately represent real, biological differences among humans.

How Beliefs in Biological Differences Can Undergird Racial and Policy Attitudes ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s14d39kTyNtw )

by Carson Byrd, USAPP
A new study shows racial differences in beliefs about the influence of genes on certain traits can affect public support for policies aimed at mitigating racial inequality.

In Its Focus on Genetics and Race, Global Newspaper Coverage of Athletics is Far from &ldquo;Post-Racial&rdquo; ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s14979kTyNtx )

by Matthew W. Hughey & Devon R. Goss, USAPP Blog [London School of
Economics and Political Science]

A study of English-language newspaper articles about race, sport, and genetics finds a sharp reemergence of scientific racism.

Coerced Sterilization of Canadian Indigenous Women in 70s Widespread: Researcher ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s189b8kTyNty )

by Chris Arsenault, Reuters
The Canadian government was often aware of the problem, but did not act to stop it.

We Might Not Want to Know the Dark Secrets Lurking in Our Genes ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s188f8kTyNtz )

by Kevin Loria, Tech Insider
Once we're good enough at reading a DNA sequence to really interpret all the results &mdash; rather than just glean a few hints here and there &mdash; we may not want to know the answers.

B.C. Company to Launch DNA Testing Service  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s15bb9kTyNtA )

by Pamela Fayerman, Vancouver Sun
British Columbia is grappling with regulatory and accreditation issues for a company planning to launch the first direct-to-consumer DNA testing service based in the province.

Inside Illumina&rsquo;s Plans to Lure Consumers with an App Store for Genomes  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s15af9kTyNtB )

by Antonio Regalado, MIT Technology Review
The head of the largest gene-sequencing company envisions holding your DNA, then selling it to you little by little.

What Are You Doing with My DNA?  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s19a38kTyNtC )

by Diana Kwon, Scientific American
The play &ldquo;Informed Consent&rdquo; explores deep ethical questions in genetics research.

Genetic testing firms in China happy to sell your DNA secrets ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s15879kTyNtD )

by Staff Reporter, Want China Times
As 23andMe strikes a slew of pharma and biotech deals, it's an open secret that sequencing companies can't make money on tests, but rely on the value of big bio data to drug developers.

&lsquo;Scientific Ambitions Behind DNA Profiling Bill&rsquo;  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s198b8kTyNtE )

by Vidya Venkato, The Hindu
A legal researcher discusses a modified draft bill that continues to raise several critical concerns relating to privacy, and ethical uses of DNA samples and the proposed DNA database.

Kuwait's War on ISIS and DNA ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s199f8kTyNtF )

by Dawn Field, Oxford University Press Blog
Amid other national genomic projects, Kuwait's mandatory DNA collection is the first use of DNA testing at the national-level for security reasons, counter-terrorism.

China Announces Stem-Cell Rules ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s15939kTyNtG )

by David Cyranoski, Nature News
Long-awaited measures by the Chinese government aim to rein in rogue stem cell clinics while allowing clinical studies. It&rsquo;s uncertain whether the new approach will fare better than prior regulations.

State agency forming big stem-cell bank to help find cures ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s15d79kTyNtH )

by Kevin Schultz, San Francisco Chronicle
Thousands of cell lines created induced pluripotent stem cells will be made available to researchers.

Debate Ensues as Prenatal Tests Reach Beyond Down Syndrome ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s19db8kTyNtI )

by Antonio Regalado, MIT Technology Review
Doctors and genetic counselors question the expanding scope of blood tests during pregnancy.

Disability and the Politics of Abortion ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s19cf8kTyNtJ )

by Judith Levine, Seven Days [Vermont]
We must not use technology to cull fetuses that might have differently abled bodies. We cannot allow abortion law to rescue them at the cost of their mothers' freedom.

Ohio Bill Would Ban Abortion if Down Syndrome Is Reason ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s15c39kTyNtK )

by Tamar Lewin, The New York Times
The legislature is expected to approve the measure. Gov. John Kasich, a Republican who is running for president, opposes abortion but has not yet taken a position on this bill.

Does Down Syndrome Justify Abortion? ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s19e78kTyNtL )

by Mark Lawrence Schrad, The New York Times
In a typical pregnancy, women who choose to have an abortion are often saddled with shame and social stigma. Meanwhile, there remains significant stigma associated with being the parent of a child with special needs.

Giant study poses DNA data-sharing dilemma ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s15eb9kTyNtM )

by Sara Reardon, Nature
As the US Precision Medicine Initiative pushes forward, whether to provide sequenced genetic information to biobank donors is an unresolved question of ethics, privacy, and medical utility.

Personal Responsibility ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s15ff9kTyNtN )

by Editorial, Nature
The US Precision Medicine Initiative needs to tread carefully when revealing health and genetic data to participants.

Genetics: Dawkins, redux ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s19f38kTyNtO )

by Nathaniel Comfort, Nature
Nathaniel Comfort points to the genetic determinism that is central to a new book by Richard Dawkins, author of The Selfish Gene.

E.U. parliament votes to ban cloning of farm animals ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s15779kTyNtP )

by Gretchen Vogel, Science
The ban does not cover cloning for research purposes, nor does it prevent efforts to clone endangered species.

The Colonial Origins of Conservation: The Disturbing History Behind US National Parks  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s197b8kTyNtQ )

by Stephen Corry, Truthout
Environmental conservation that excludes tribal peoples has deep connections with historical eugenics.

How Social Determinants of Health Affect Life Spans ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s196f8kTyNtR )

by Margaret Farenger, The Detroit News
Health was once considered a question of genetics, individual behaviors and medical treatment. New models are illuminating powerful connections between health, resources and environment.

Rise of the Citizen Scientist ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s15639kTyNtS )

by Editorial, Nature
From the oceans to the soil, technology is changing the part that amateurs can play in research. But this greater involvement raises concerns that must be addressed.

How We Should Rethink the Role of Technical Expertise in GMO Regulation ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s19478kTyNtT )

by Dhvani Mehta and Yashaswini Mittal, The Wire
The regulation of GMOs represents a good opportunity to rethink the role of public participation and non-technical knowledge in environmental regulatory discourse in general.

Fertility Clinics Destroy Embryos All the Time. Why Aren&rsquo;t Conservatives After Them? ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s154b9kTyNtU )

by Margo Kaplan, The Washington Post
Republicans&rsquo; efforts to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood will hurt vulnerable women most.

( https://networkforgood.rsvp1.com/s155f9kTyNtV )

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