Subject: Biopolitical Views & News: #GeneEditSummit, Imprecision Medicine & Ongoing Germline Debate
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Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2015 02:50:45 +0000

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December 10, 2015

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Extreme Genetic Engineering and the Human Future ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s12c3blDjcAh )
Reclaiming Emerging Biotechnologies for the Common Good

The Center for Genetics and Society and Friends of the Earth examine the human applications of synthetic biology. This 50-page report challenges claims that this new set of genetic engineering techniques should be seen as "the future of manufacturing, engineering and medicine."

Open Letter Calls for Prohibition on Reproductive Human Germline Modification ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1edbalDjcAj )

by Center for Genetics and Society
Experiments aimed at creating genetically modified humans are unneeded from a medical view, extremely risky to any resulting children, and profoundly dangerous from a social perspective. Now is the crucial moment for taking a clear public stand.

Talking Biopolitics on YouTube: Rob Wilson interviewed by Milton Reynolds on the documentary Surviving Eugenics ( https://youtu.rsvp1.com/s12ffblDjcAm )

In case you missed the online conversation regarding Rob Wilson 's new documentary Surviving Eugenics, the full recording of that event is now available ( https://youtu.rsvp1.com/s1ee7alDjcAo ).

Human gene editing is a social and political matter, not just a scientific one ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1e7balDjcAr )

by Marcy Darnovsky, The Guardian
In a concluding statement, the organizing committee kicked the can down the road, and left the door open and unlocked for gene editing for human reproduction.

Should We Genetically Modify Our Children? ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1e53alDjcAt )

by Jessica Cussins, Kennedy School Review
We need the wisdom of historical, global, and social perspectives to help shape a world that is not merely concerned with what is possible, but also with what is beneficial.

Genetically engineered children? ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s124bblDjcAv )

by Marcy Darnovsky, The Hill
The powerful new gene editing tools now under consideration in D.C. could be used for scientific and medical breakthroughs, or misused to undermine human rights and human equality.

What's in a name? Variations in terminology of third-party reproduction ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s121bblDjcAz ) [PDF]

by Diane Beeson, Marcy Darnovsky & Abby Lippman, Reproductive BioMedicine Online

Introducing some of the issues previously raised by scholars concerned with analysis of discourse related to third-party reproduction.

Genetic Facts, Genetic Reality, Genetic Imaginaries  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1337blDjcAC )

by Gina Maranto, Biopolitical Times guest contributor
Deborah Lynn Steinberg's book Genes and the Bioimaginary: Science, Spectacle, Culture is essential reading, exploring how contemporary genetics has covertly and overtly revived old notions of racial science and eugenics.

F.D.A. Attention to Inaccurate Lab Tests Defers Hopes of &ldquo;Precision Medicine&rdquo; ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s131fblDjcAE )

by Jessica Cussins
If we lose trust in medical tests, the foundation of &ldquo;precision medicine&rdquo; could fall apart.

Weak Arguments For Modifying the Human Germline ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1f43alDjcAH )

by Pete Shanks
At the International Summit on Human Gene Editing, philosopher John Harris engaged in tired and absurd attempts to justify engineering future humans.

Livetweeting #GeneEditSummit: Democratized Debate or Segregated Conversations? ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s135bblDjcAJ )

by Elliot Hosman
Though #GeneEditSummit was trending on Twitter, inclusive public debate must be more robust than the livetweeting of insular stakeholder meetings.

Stem Cell Researcher to Reddit: "Ask Me Anything" on Human Genetic Modification ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1373blDjcAL )

by Elliot Hosman
UC Davis researcher Paul Knoepfler fielded 100s of questions on the social and technical implications of genetically modifying human cells.

US scientists urge ban on human genetic modification ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1367blDjcAO )
[Cites CGS' Marcy Darnovsky and Pete Shanks]

by Ryan Rifai, Al Jazeera
A new report and sign-on statement argue that genetic modification of children and future generations could have irreversible effects on humanity.

Future of human gene editing to be decided at landmark summit ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s13efblDjcAQ )
[Cites CGS' Marcy Darnovsky]

by Ian Sample, The Guardian
A "global discussion" will ask whether humans should rewrite the DNA of future generations.

Opposition mounts to genetic modification of human embryos ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1ff7alDjcAS )
[Cites CGS and consultant Pete Shanks]

by Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters
A group of U.S. scientists and activists call for a global ban on the use of new tools to edit the genes of human embryos or gametes for assisted reproduction.

Debate begins over ethics of genetic editing ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1fcbalDjcAV )
[Cites CGS's Marcy Darnovsky and Pete Shanks]

by Michael Cook, BioEdge
Varying degrees of caution emerged at the Summit on Human Gene Editing in D.C. along with publications that gave different interpretations of human genetic modification's historical context.

Editing the Human Genome ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1383blDjcAX )

BBC Newshour Extra
An hour-long radio broadcast with panelists Annalien Bredenoord, Robin Lovell-Badge, Marcy Darnovsky, and Michael Le Page, hosted by Owen Bennett Jones.

Scientists, Ethicists Debate Future of Gene Editing ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1f9balDjcAZ )
[Cites CGS' Marcy Darnovsky]

by Karen Pallarito, HealthDay
Stakeholders weigh in on new genetic engineering tools which could "all too easily open the door to new forms of inequality and discrimination."

This Week, Top Geneticists Want to Decide If GMO Humans Are OK  ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1e7bblDjcB2 )
[Cites CGS' Marcy Darnovsky]

by Alex Pearlman, VICE Motherboard
Using gene editing tools for reproduction "would be a radical rupture with past human practices that could have irreversible and reverberating impact on society.&rdquo;

Scientists urge caution on human gene editing ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1277alDjcB3 )
[Cites CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]

Al Jazeera America
Ethical questions have triggered three days of debate among scientists, policymakers and ethicists from 20 countries at the Washington summit.

No designer babies, but summit calls for cautious research ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s124balDjcB6 )
[Cites CGS' Marcy Darnovsky]

by Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press
The organizing committee argued that gene editing tools are nowhere near ready to use for pregnancy, but that research on embryos can proceed as society continues to grapple with the ethical questions.

Gene editing: Is era of designer humans getting closer? ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s120falDjcB9 )
[Cites CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]

by Fergus Walsh, BBC
A Brave New World of designer humans - although still a long way off - has moved a step closer as a result new gene editing techniques.

Le g&eacute;nie g&eacute;n&eacute;tique face au risque eug&eacute;niste ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1dafblDjcBa )
[Cites CGS' Marcy Darnovsky]

by Corine Lesnes, Le Monde
"Nous voulons &ecirc;tre s&ucirc;rs que la technologie soit utilis&eacute;e pour traiter les maladies et non pour cr&eacute;er des surhommes."

Disgraced clone expert set for big comeback ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s119falDjcBe )
[Cites CGS consultant Pete Shanks]

by Chang May Choon, The Straits Times
Hwang Woo Suk is partnering with a Chinese biotech firm to to open the world's largest animal cloning factory in Tianjin.

F.D.A. Targets Inaccurate Medical Tests, Citing Dangers and Costs ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s11cfalDjcBi )

by Robert Pear, The New York Times
Inaccurate and unreliable medical tests are prompting abortions, unnecessary surgeries, putting tens of thousands of people on unneeded drugs and raising medical costs.

A Controversial Rewrite For Rules To Protect Humans In Experiments ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s11dbalDjcBj )

by Rob Stein, NPR
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is proposing a major revision of the Common Rule, the first change proposed in nearly a quarter-century, prompting concerns.

China 'clone factory' scientist eyes human replication ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1debblDjcBn )

by Rebecca Davis, Agence France Presse
The scientist behind the world's biggest cloning factory has technology advanced enough to replicate humans, and is only holding off for fear of the public reaction.

Can Biometrics Solve the Refugee Debate? ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s116falDjcBq )

by Katie Worth, PBS Frontline
The U.S. ramps up Rapid DNA sequencing for use in refugee immigration decisions, while the UN has been deploying iris scanners since 2013, both practices threatening human rights.

The Human Germline Genome Editing Debate ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s117balDjcBr )

by Charis Thompson, Impact Ethics
A summary of the range of views expressed at the "International Summit on Human Gene Editing" underscores the need for broader and more inclusive public discussion.

Scientists Seek Moratorium on Edits to Human Genome That Could Be Inherited ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1d5fblDjcBu )

by Nicholas Wade, The New York Times
An international group of scientists called for what would, in effect, be a moratorium on making inheritable changes to the human genome.

We Need a Moratorium on Genetically Modifying Humans ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1d4bblDjcBv )

by Paul Knoepfler, Slate
The technology for potentially creating designer babies has progressed much faster than the deliberation of societal implications and permissible uses.

About Us, Without Us: Inclusion in the Threat of Eradication ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1103alDjcBx )

by Teresa Blankmeyer Burke, Impact Ethics
Despite disability accommodation laws, many are still excluded from policy conversations that involve their community's survival because organizers do not make them accessible.

Future proofing ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1d1bblDjcBz )

by Editorial Board, Nature News
Global discussions on human gene editing and climate change are happening, and hard decisions on issues that will affect future generations should not be sidestepped.

Gene Editing: Hope, Hype, and Caution ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s102falDjcBA )

by Daniel Callahan, The Hastings Center Bioethics Forum
In the debate, speculative harms are treated as fear mongering while speculative benefits are allowed to run wild; is the research imperative of the endless war on disease that it must be pursued even in the face of danger?

Gene Editing: How much justice delayed or denied? ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1c37blDjcBC )

by Nicholas G. Evans, Impact Ethics
A nuanced examination of John Harris&rsquo; claims against the "unacceptable risks to future generations" associated with gene editing in human reproduction.

The major concern about a powerful new gene-editing technique that most people don't want to talk about ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1c1fblDjcBE )

by Tanya Lewis, Business Insider
There's a dark side to manipulating our genetics that few want to discuss: Eugenics, the racist practice of trying to "improve" the human race by controlling genetics and reproduction.

Re-Watching 'Gattaca' at the Dawn of the Age of CRISPR and Genetic Editing ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1c0bblDjcBF )

by Yasmin Tayag, Inverse
Now that its predictions are becoming true, Andrew Niccol's 1997 gene-engineered dystopia is especially uncomfortable.

First CRISPR Gene Drive in Mosquitoes Aims to Eradicate Malaria ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1007alDjcBG )

by Antonio Regalado, MIT Technology Review
The scientific community is at odds over whether it is safe to release a "selfish" gene into the wild.

Race and ethnicity have no real biological meaning ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1043alDjcBH )

by Kevin Loria, Tech Insider
Genes can identify a person and find related people, but trying to fit groups of people into "races" was biologically inaccurate in the first place.

More Women Are Freezing Their Eggs, But Will They Ever Use Them ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1c4fblDjcBI )

by Eliza Barclay, NPR
It will be years before there's enough data showing whether egg freezing actually helps most of the women doing it fulfill their dreams of motherhood.

Putting a Price on Human Eggs Makes No Sense ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1c5bblDjcBJ )

by Debora Spar, Fortune
No one wants to deal with the ugly reality that egg donation is not donation at all, but a high price paid for a piece of one&rsquo;s body.

DNA = Donors Not Anonymous ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1057alDjcBK )

by Wendy Kramer, Huffington Post
I can't help but wonder when the sperm banks and egg clinics will start acknowledging that there is no such thing as guaranteed donor anonymity.

F.D.A. Takes Issue With the Term &lsquo;Non-G.M.O.&rsquo; ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s1c73blDjcBL )

by Stephanie Strom, The New York Times
"They&rsquo;re conflating a very new and novel technology with traditional types of breeding...It&rsquo;s like saying an abacus is very much like a computer."

San Diego Blood Donors Get Free Genome Sequencing ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s107falDjcBM )

by David Wagner, KPBS
Illumina is asking 70 San Diego Blood Bank donors to consent to free sequencing to compile a DNA database for researchers working in the field of "precision" medicine.

Data Storage on DNA Can Keep It Safe for Centuries ( http://www.geneticsandsociety.rsvp1.com/s106balDjcBN )

by John Markoff, The New York Times
Two teams of computer scientists have shown that DNA can be the basis for a big data archiving system potentially capable of storing all of the world&rsquo;s digital information in roughly 9 liters or a case of wine.

( https://networkforgood.rsvp1.com/s1c67blDjcBO )

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