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Genetic Crossroads

The intersection of biotechnology, reproduction and society

President Donald Trump
Trump, Science and Biopolitics

Pete Shanks on December 21, 2016

What can we expect from President-elect Trump’s appointments in the areas of medical research and the life sciences?

What can we expect from President-elect Trump’s appointments in the areas of medical research and the life sciences?

Genetics
Creating Super-People

Elliot Hosman J.D. on May 25, 2016

A future Utopia of Supermen and Superwomen as envisioned by early 20th century supporters of eugenics: What would it look like? Could making a better world be so simple?

A future Utopia of Supermen and Superwomen as envisioned by early 20th century supporters of eugenics: What would it look like? Could making a better world be so simple?

Career
The Blurry Boundaries of Eugenic Infanticide

Elliot Hosman J.D. on May 25, 2016

In the early 20th century, a well-respected physician refused to save the lives of babies born with disabilities, demonstrating the dangers of placing valuations on human lives.

In the early 20th century, a well-respected physician refused to save the lives of babies born with disabilities, demonstrating the dangers of placing valuations on human lives.

Pregnancy
Uterus Transplants Come to America

Elliot Hosman J.D. on March 11, 2016

Who is eligible for a temporary womb transplant? What are the health risks? Who can afford the $300,000 bill?

Who is eligible for a temporary womb transplant? What are the health risks? Who can afford the $300,000 bill?

Genetics
Gene Editing Eugenics in The X Files

Elliot Hosman J.D. on March 11, 2016

Will a biotech elite make society-altering decisions on the planet's behalf?

Will a biotech elite make society-altering decisions on the planet's behalf?

Genetics
Mass Surveillance: DNA

Elliot Hosman J.D. on October 30, 2015

DNA testing companies are luring customers with health and ancestry guesstimates to sell their data, and sometime handing off customers' biological ID to law enforcement.

DNA testing companies are luring customers with health and ancestry guesstimates to sell their data, and sometime handing off customers' biological ID to law enforcement.

Play
The Black Stork Rises

Elliot Hosman J.D. on October 26, 2015

With debate over the new field of eugenics in 1917, surgeon Harry Haiselden decided to make a movie illustrating his opposition to medical intervention to save the lives of babies born with disabilities. That film was entitled "The Black Stork."

With debate over the new field of eugenics in 1917, surgeon Harry Haiselden decided to make a movie illustrating his opposition to medical intervention to save the lives of babies born with disabilities. That film was entitled "The Black Stork."

Ethics and Morality
The Short Life and Eugenic Death of Baby John Bollinger

Elliot Hosman J.D. on October 12, 2015

In 1915, Dr. Harry Haiselden decided not to operate to save the life of a baby born with disabilities. His controversial choice sparked a massive public debate over the responsibilities of medical doctors, the rights of individuals with disabilities, and the new and dangerous field of eugenics.

In 1915, Dr. Harry Haiselden decided not to operate to save the life of a baby born with disabilities. His controversial choice sparked a massive public debate over the responsibilities of medical doctors, the rights of individuals with disabilities, and the new and dangerous field of eugenics.

Genetics
Biotech Imagination

Jessica Cussins on September 16, 2015

Eight insiders provide predictions about the next ten years in genetics and genomics, and not one wavers: “All are optimistic and predict enormous positive impact.” Should the rest of us be so optimistic?

Eight insiders provide predictions about the next ten years in genetics and genomics, and not one wavers: “All are optimistic and predict enormous positive impact.” Should the rest of us be so optimistic?

Altruism
"Eggsploitation: Maggie's Story" and Risks of Egg Retrieval

Elliot Hosman J.D. on August 14, 2015

"Eggsploitation: Maggie's Story" reveals how the fertility industry takes advantage of individuals' altruistic motives in search of profit while the medical risks remain unknown.

"Eggsploitation: Maggie's Story" reveals how the fertility industry takes advantage of individuals' altruistic motives in search of profit while the medical risks remain unknown.

Marriage
Eugenics, Love, and the Marriage Problem

Elliot Hosman J.D. on July 30, 2015

When gazing deeply into a lover's eyes, eugenists advised, women should not look for the "yearning, burning, soulful fires, which rage in the erotic litany of love," but for symptoms of eye disease.

When gazing deeply into a lover's eyes, eugenists advised, women should not look for the "yearning, burning, soulful fires, which rage in the erotic litany of love," but for symptoms of eye disease.

Bias
Stars, Bars, and Embryos

Elliot Hosman J.D. on July 28, 2015

The ideas of "choice" and "intent" have arisen in debates about both the confederate flag and prenatal genetic testing. But are these concepts insufficiently nuanced for these tough topics?


The ideas of "choice" and "intent" have arisen in debates about both the confederate flag and prenatal genetic testing. But are these concepts insufficiently nuanced for these tough topics?


Health
Judging the Baby Crop

Elliot Hosman J.D. on July 22, 2015

The first post in a new series on forgotten stories of the American eugenics movement examines how early-1900s baby health contests increased popular support for eugenics.

The first post in a new series on forgotten stories of the American eugenics movement examines how early-1900s baby health contests increased popular support for eugenics.

Marriage
Is Family Equality a Right to Surrogacy?

Elliot Hosman J.D. on July 22, 2015

With marriage equality the law of the land, the dignity of LGBTQ families calls for an ongoing conversation about the regulation of the ART and surrogacy industries.

With marriage equality the law of the land, the dignity of LGBTQ families calls for an ongoing conversation about the regulation of the ART and surrogacy industries.

Parenting
Breaking from Our Eugenic Past

Jessica Cussins on December 12, 2014

The recognition of this history is timely because advances in genetic and reproductive technologies will put increasingly more people in the position of having to wrestle with questions about the kind of child they want – and don’t want – to bring into the world.

The recognition of this history is timely because advances in genetic and reproductive technologies will put increasingly more people in the position of having to wrestle with questions about the kind of child they want – and don’t want – to bring into the world.

Bias
Disability Will Never Be Immoral

Jessica Cussins on September 10, 2014

Events of this summer, including the abandonment of Baby Gammy and controversial comments from Richard Dawkins, speak to the risk of conflating one type of information with a broader reality.

Events of this summer, including the abandonment of Baby Gammy and controversial comments from Richard Dawkins, speak to the risk of conflating one type of information with a broader reality.

Neuroscience
Making Sense of the Brain

Jessica Cussins on July 25, 2014

As criticisms of the brain projects on both sides of the Atlantic ramp up, there are lessons that can be learned from the successes and failures of the Human Genome Project.

As criticisms of the brain projects on both sides of the Atlantic ramp up, there are lessons that can be learned from the successes and failures of the Human Genome Project.

Genetics
The Perfect 46: A Science Fiction Film About Our Near Future

Jessica Cussins on July 11, 2014

A new science fiction film that is described as “a sort of prequel to Gattaca” highlights the rise and fall of a genetic startup that analyzes people’s genomes to assess their ability to produce disease-free children.

A new science fiction film that is described as “a sort of prequel to Gattaca” highlights the rise and fall of a genetic startup that analyzes people’s genomes to assess their ability to produce disease-free children.

Health
Selling the Next False Hope?

Jessica Cussins on June 25, 2014

Contrary to official reports, new evidence shows that “3-person IVF” could pose serious risks to women and children. So why are we being told that it’s a “not unsafe” option?

Contrary to official reports, new evidence shows that “3-person IVF” could pose serious risks to women and children. So why are we being told that it’s a “not unsafe” option?