Category: Regulation & Oversight
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Don’t shut the door on the synthetic biology debate
A panel of world scientists want to talk to us about synthetic biology. But it’s not clear what we’re allowed to discuss by Jack Stilgoe Originally published by the Guardian on May 8, 2014. The Inter-Academy Panel, a network of the world’s science academies including our own Royal Society, today issued a statement on synthetic […]
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Deal brings ‘humanized’ pig organs for transplant a step closer to reality
JULIE STEENHUYSEN This was originally published by Reuters News Service on May 6, 2014. Genome pioneer J. Craig Venter is teaming up with a unit of United Therapeutics Corp. to develop pig lungs that have been genetically altered to be compatible with humans, a feat that, if successful, could address the urgent need for transplant […]
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Scientists Add Letters to DNA’s Alphabet, Raising Hope and Fear
By ANDREW POLLACK Originally posted by the New York Times on May 7, 2014. Scientists reported Wednesday that they had taken a significant step toward altering the fundamental alphabet of life — creating for the first time an organism with DNA containing artificial genetic code. The accomplishment might eventually lead to organisms that can make […]
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Synthetic Biology: Rebranding Extreme Genetic Engineering
By Jaydee Hanson, Senior Policy Analyst, Centre for Food Safety This article is reposted from the Centre for Food Safety web site. Some years ago, bread companies got the word that customers wanted more fiber in their bread. Instead of making more of their bread with whole grains, a few companies actually put in wood […]
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Video: How Private is your DNA? with Troy Duster, Jeremy Gruber & Milton Reynolds
Scientists are now able to map our bodies’ DNA with increasing ease and decreasing costs. But what is being done with this information and for whose benefit? How much control do we have over our genetic information and what can we do to protect our privacy? Recorded at the Brower Center Theater 2150 Allston Way […]
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Video: Biosafety by the Bay – Becky McClain, Ed Hammond & Gopal Dayaneni
Biotech whistleblower, Becky McClain, and international lab safety expert Ed Hammond talk with Movement Generation’s Gopal Dayaneni about the biolabs targeted for siting throughout the so-called “East Bay Green Corridor,” biolab worker and community safety, and biosecurity. Recorded in Berkeley, California at the Brower Center October 16, 2013 About the Guests: Becky McClain was a […]
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Biosafety by the Bay: Becky McClain & Ed Hammond – Wednesday, October 16, 2013 7:30 pm PST
East Bay Conversations in Berkeley and streaming online A video of this event will be posted soon. Biotech whistleblower, Becky McClain, and international lab safety expert Ed Hammond talk with Movement Generation’s Gopal Dayaneni about the biolabs targeted for siting throughout the so-called “East Bay Green Corridor,” biolab worker and community safety, and biosecurity. Brower […]
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Map of Synthetic Biology Sites in San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area is at ground zero in the explosion of Synthetic Biology Labs and other related facilities. According to a recent survey by the Wilson Center there are already 37 such sites in the Bay.
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Kickstopper Campaign Suceeds in Blocking Funding for Future GMO Releases on Kickstarter
Kickstarter bans project creators from giving away genetically-modified organisms Reposted from The Verge By Duncan Geere, August 2, 2013 Kickstarter is clamping down on genetically-modified organisms following the success of a project to genetically engineer glowing plants for use as additional lighting in people’s homes. Earlier this week and without explanation, the crowdfunding website quietly altered […]
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DIY SynBio Lab “BioCurious” Questions Glowing Plant Project Propriety – East Bay Express Article
BioHackers By Azeen Ghorayshi July 31, 2013 Reposted from the East Bay Express A recent Kickstarter campaign to genetically engineer a glowing plant and distribute its seeds across the country has raised questions about the ethical responsibility of DIY scientists in the brave new world of synthetic biology. What if we used trees to light […]