CGS : The States

About the States' Policies & Human Biotechnology

Individual states are filling the regulatory void created by the federal government’s failure to provide comprehensive legislation governing human biotechnologies. This is creating an often inconsistent policy patchwork.


		California

State action is evident in a number of areas, including embryonic stem cell, cloning, egg retrieval, and assisted reproduction. More than a dozen states have laws banning reproductive cloning, about half of which also prohibit cloning for stem cell research. Dozens of similar bills are introduced in other states each year.

In response to President Bush’s restrictions on the federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research, several states initiated their own funded research programs. California led the way in 2004 with Proposition 71, which set aside $3 billion of public funds for stem cell research over ten years.

Police Agencies Are Assembling Records of DNAby Joseph Goldstein, The New York TimesJune 12th, 2013A growing number of local law enforcement agencies across the country have begun amassing their own DNA databases of potential suspects, some collected with the donors’ knowledge, and some without it.

Should Police Use DNA to Investigate a Suspect’s Family Members?by Nanibaa’ A. Garrison, Rori V. Rohlfs, and Stephanie M. Fullerton, Biopolitical Times guest contributorsJune 11th, 2013A DNA-based technique called familial searching can help police solve serious crimes. It can also be abused in ways that expose innocent people to unwarranted police surveillance.

Groups File Suit Against Arizona Law that Bans Abortion Based on Race, Gender Selectionby Howard Fischer, East Valley TribuneMay 29th, 2013A coalition of rights groups are suing to overturn a two-year-old Arizona law banning abortion for race or gender selection.

Cloning-Derived Stem Cells Raise Policy Questionsby Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesMay 16th, 2013Yesterday’s announcement that stem cells have been derived from cloned human embryos set off a media flurry, but important questions about reproductive cloning and women’s health were not widely addressed.

Branstad Signs Bill Widening DNA Sampling to Misdemeanor CasesAssociated PressMay 16th, 2013People convicted of certain aggravated misdemeanors in Iowa now will be required to submit DNA samples to the federal DNA database.

Cloning, Stem Cells Long Mired In Legislative Gridlock[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Julie Rovner, NPRMay 16th, 2013The news that U.S. scientists have successfully cloned a human embryo seems almost certain to rekindle a political fight that has raged, on and off, since the announcement of the creation of Dolly the sheep in 1997.

The DNA in Your Garbage: Up For Grabsby Kevin Hartnett, The Boston GlobeMay 12th, 2013Drop a hair? Anyone can legally sequence your genetic material—and privacy experts want to close that gap.

Made-to-Order Embryos: You Want to Sell What?!by Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesMay 2nd, 2013The fact that a fertility clinic can own and sell made-to-order embryos for profit raises novel concerns that should not be collapsed into predefined frameworks used to assess other assisted reproductive technologies.

Wake Forest examines eugenics here and abroadby John Hinton, Winston-Salem JournalApril 2nd, 2013A conference examines the history of forced sterilization in North Carolina and Central Europe, and the legacies of eugenics.

Surrogate Offered $10,000 to Abort Babyby Elizabeth Cohen, CNNMarch 6th, 2013A surrogate refused to have an abortion after severe abnormalities were spotted on an ultrasound and moved to Michigan, where she became the legal mother.

Should Patients Understand that They are Research Subjects? by Jenny Reardon, San Francisco ChronicleMarch 3rd, 2013A routine form at a UCSF doctor's appointment stipulates that your tissues and cells can be collected, and that you have no rights to any "commercially useful products that may be developed."

Stem Cells in Texas: Cowboy Cultureby David Cyranoski, NatureFebruary 13th, 2013By offering unproven therapies, a Texas biotechnology firm has sparked a bitter debate about how stem cells should be regulated.

Yes, Virginia, Your Reproductive Rights Are Compromised by Alex Stern, Huffington PostFebruary 12th, 2013In Virginia as in many other states, legislative battles about reproductive rights are front and center. One pending bill proposes reparations for victims of the state's eugenic sterilization policy; the other seeks to end the 30-day waiting period for sterilization.

Too Much InformationSupreme Court 2013: Why collecting DNA from people who are arrested won’t help solve more crimes.by Brandon L. Garrett and Erin Murphy, SlateFebruary 12th, 2013Research shows that police solve more crimes not by taking DNA from suspects who have never been convicted, but by collecting more evidence at crime scenes.

Will Pre-Conviction DNA Collection Become the National Norm?by Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 7th, 2013The United States Supreme Court will hear a case later this month that will determine the legality of collecting DNA from people who are arrested for but not convicted of any crime.

Eugenics Compensation Bill Sidelined in Va. Houseby Bill Sizemore, The Virginian-PilotFebruary 5th, 2013A bipartisan proposal to compensate Virginians who were involuntarily sterilized during the eugenics era is going nowhere, sidelined by its potential price tag.

Arrivederci, GINAby Alex Philippidis, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology NewsFebruary 4th, 2013A new study demonstrates that individuals can be identified based on personal genetic material they submitted for research.

Proposal to Collect DNA From Immigrants Too Orwellian: Opinion by Opinion staff, Daily NewsJanuary 31st, 2013Undocumented immigrants should not be required to submit DNA samples as a condition of staying in the United States.

State Lawmaker Wants To Take All Misdemeanor Offenders’ DNACBS DenverJanuary 30th, 2013Colorado already collects DNA from the worst felons. Now there’s a proposal to follow in New York's footsteps and add the DNA of people convicted of misdemeanors.

Biotech Firms, Billions at Risk, Lobby States to Limit Genericsby Andrew Pollack, The New York TimesJanuary 28th, 2013Some of the nation’s biggest biotechnology companies are lobbying intensively to limit generic competition to their blockbuster drugs, potentially cutting into the billions of dollars in savings on drug costs contemplated in the federal health care overhaul law.

3 Years After Inception, a DNA Technique Yields Little Success for the Policeby Joseph Goldstein and J. David Goodman, The New York TimesJanuary 27th, 2013The process of turning crime-scene DNA into a family tree of possible leads has been quietly undertaken in more than two dozen cases in New York City since 2009, but there have as yet been no cases solved due to a lead generated by a "family search."

A Small Sign of Virginia's Sins[Editorial]The Virginian-PilotJanuary 25th, 2013The General Assembly is considering a measure that would offer $50,000 to people once deemed by the state to be unfit to have children.

Sickle Cell Test Gets NCAA OK Despite Docsby Cole Petrochko, MedPage TodayJanuary 21st, 2013The National Collegiate Athletic Association has approved mandatory confirmation of sickle cell trait status in Division III student athletes, despite the objections of the American Society of Hematology.

New York Examines Over 800 Rape Cases for Possible Mishandling of Evidenceby Joseph Goldstein, The New York TimesJanuary 10th, 2013The review underscores that DNA evidence, widely perceived as providing nearly irrefutable proof of guilt or innocence, is subject to human error.

Tell the FDA: No Genetically Modified Salmonby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 2nd, 2013The FDA released a "Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact" about a modified Atlantic salmon, but invites comments before a final decision.

Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: The Dollars are in the Database by Emily Stehr, Biopolitical TimesDecember 18th, 201223andMe raised $50 million and plans to use it to lower the cost of its spit kit to $99. CEO Anne Wojcicki hopes this will lead to a very valuable database of one million users' genetic information.

N.C. House will Consider Eugenics Payouts Againby Patrick Gannon, Star News OnlineDecember 13th, 2012The North Carolina House will again pursue legislation in 2013 to compensate residents sterilized decades ago by a state-sanctioned board.

DNA Forensics Update by Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesNovember 28th, 2012The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to consider a potentially significant case about police collection of DNA from suspects rather than criminals; and forensic DNA databases round the world continue to proliferate.

Is This Informal Surrogacy or Exploitation?by Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesOctober 2nd, 2012A bizarre situation in Texas is either the result of a horrible misunderstanding about an informal, unpaid surrogacy or an appalling case of exploitation.

Federal Judges Reconsider Police Collection of DNAby Emily Stehr, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 20th, 2012A federal court of appeals will decide the fate of a California law requiring that police take DNA samples of anyone arrested on suspicion of committing a felony.

California and the Fourth Amendment[Editorial]The New York TimesSeptember 18th, 2012The New York Times editorializes on California's law requiring police to take DNA samples from people arrested but not yet convicted of felonies: "It is unconstitutional."

Science, Standards and Forensics: Part III by Brandon L. Garrett, Huffington PostSeptember 9th, 2012If we are going to use forensics to put people in prison for years, Congress should pass legislation to make forensics far more of a science.

Forensics on the Hill: Part I by Brandon L. Garrett, Huffington PostSeptember 5th, 2012Donald Eugene Gates' fate was sealed by two stray hairs and he spent nearly three decades in prison, before his innocence was finally proven. How often is DNA forensics wrong?

South Carolina to Collect DNA After Every Felony Arrestby Seanna Adcox, Associated PressSeptember 1st, 2012South Carolina’s law enforcement agency will soon collect DNA samples from people when they’re arrested for a felony – rather than post-conviction.

British Couples Flying to US For Banned Baby Sex Selectionby Stephen Adams, Telegraph [UK]August 28th, 2012Dozens of couples are flying to the US every year to choose the sex of their babies, a practice banned in Britain three years ago.

Vt. High Court to Weigh Pre-Conviction DNA Testingby Dave Gram, The Boston GlobeAugust 20th, 2012The Vermont Supreme Court has been asked to rule on the constitutionality of a 2009 law allowing the state to take DNA samples from people charged with but not yet convicted of crimes.

Stop and Swab: Dramatic Increases in DNA Police Databasesby Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesAugust 20th, 2012DNA databases continue to grow exponentially as more U.S. states allow police to seize DNA samples from people who have been arrested but not convicted, and from those suspected of misdemeanors as well as felonies.

Virginia Lawmaker Proposes Symbolic Reparations for Victims of Eugenic Sterilizationby Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesAugust 9th, 2012To mark the 85th anniversary of the US Supreme Court’s ruling that state governments can forcibly sterilize “inferior” members of society, Virginia lawmaker Patrick A. Hope calls for “a symbolic payment” to living victims.

Christie Vetoes Bill That Would Have Eased Tough Rules for Gestational Surrogatesby Susan K. Livio, New Jersey Star LedgerAugust 8th, 2012The governor of New Jersey has vetoed a bill that would have relaxed the state's regulation of commercial surrogacy.

On Anniversary of Eugenics Ruling, a Va. Delegate Proposes Payments for Living Victimsby Bob Lewis, The Washington PostAugust 5th, 201285 years ago, the US Supreme Court ruled that state governments could force involuntary surgical sterilizations; Virginia lawmaker Patrick Hope calls for “a symbolic payment” for the living victims.

Wisconsin Ruling Prevents Most Insurers From Denying Benefits to Surrogatesby Gina Barton, Milwaukee Journal SentinelAugust 4th, 2012The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that insurance companies cannot deny coverage based on circumstances of pregnancy.

DNA Samples in Felony Arrests Boosts Ohio Database by Andrew Welsh-Higgins, San Francisco ChronicleAugust 3rd, 2012An Ohio law that requires DNA from anyone arrested on a felony charge has nearly doubled the number of DNA database samples in a single year.

NY Law Expanding DNA Database Takes Effectby Dan Wiessner, ReutersAugust 1st, 2012Almost anyone convicted of a crime in New York is now required to submit a DNA sample to the state's sweeping criminal database.

Supreme Court May Review Case over DNA Samplesby Jonathan Stempel and Terry Baynes, ReutersJuly 30th, 2012The Supreme Court signaled on Monday that it may review whether law enforcement officials may collect DNA samples from people who have been accused, but not convicted, of serious crimes.

Supreme Court Stays DNA Rulingby Matt Zapotosky, The Washington PostJuly 18th, 2012The Supreme Court has temporarily suspended a ruling by a Maryland court that prohibits DNA collection from suspects charged but not yet convicted in violent crimes.

High Doses of Hormones Faulted in Fertility Care[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Jacqueline Mroz, The New York TimesJuly 16th, 2012OHSS can be a complication of fertility treatments that rely on high doses of hormones, which are standard in the United States and the United Kingdom on the grounds of higher success rates.

Conflict Potential Seen in Genetic Counselorsby Andrew Pollack, New York TimesJuly 13th, 2012Is it ethical for genetic counselors, who advise patients on whether to undergo testing, to be paid by the companies that perform the tests?

DNA Match Tying Protest to 2004 Killing Is Doubtedby Willam Rashbaum and Joesph Goldstein, The New York TimesJuly 11th, 2012An alleged DNA link between the 2004 murder of a Juilliard student and a chain placed around an Occupy Wall Street protest in March is likely a laboratory error, experts say.

"Tainted Families" Ancient and Modernby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesJuly 11th, 2012Paul Lombardo has well summarized the use of the "Jukes family" myth to promote eugenics, in the 19th, 20th and now 21st century.

Patients Seek Stem-Cell Compensationby David Cyranoski, Nature NewsJuly 6th, 2012Six patients in California are suing RNL Bio, one of the world’s largest stem-cell companies, for allegedly misleading them about the effectiveness of its stem-cell treatments.

Weak DNA Evidence Could Undermine Justice, Experts Sayby Steve Mills, Chicago TribuneJuly 6th, 2012The powerful allure that DNA-based forensic techniques hold for jurors may lead to wrongful convictions.

How to Tell When A Drug Company Fibs About Clinical Trial Resultsby Adam Feuerstein, The StreetJuly 3rd, 2012Osiris Therapeutics "disappeared" important data when it announced results of a study of a stem cell therapy in heart attack patients.

Arizona High Court Limits Analysis of Juvenile Defendants' DNAby Howard Fischer, Arizona Daily StarJune 28th, 2012Analyzing the DNA samples of juveniles who have not been found guilty of any crime is an unconstitutional warrantless search, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled.

North Carolina Survivors of Eugenic Sterilization are Passed Over Againby Jessica Cussins, Biopolitical TimesJune 28th, 2012The North Carolina Senate has turned down compensation for living victims of the state-sponsored forced sterilization program that continued into the 1970s.

Will the FDA Close Down Celltex? by Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesJune 28th, 2012An FDA report itemizes 79 specific problems with the Texas stem-cell company Celltex, and more trouble may be on the way.

Stop and Frisk -- and DNA Test? by Jason Silverstein, Huffington PostJune 22nd, 2012Taking DNA samples from people arrested, but not convicted of a crime, has the potential to make our already racially biased justice system even more problematic.

Surrogacy Gives Birth to IndustryOregon's Medical Advances, Willing Mothers Attract International Clients Who Bring Cash With Their Dreamsby Peter Korn, Portland TribuneJune 21st, 2012Couples from around the world looking for surrogate gestational carriers have discovered Oregon, with its liberal surrogate laws and highly rated reproductive medicine clinics.

Judge Says Montana Parents Can Sue Over Lack of Genetic Testingby The Associated Press, Great Falls TribuneJune 21st, 2012A Montana couple who say they would have aborted their pregnancy if they knew the child would be born with cystic fibrosis are suing their healthcare providers for not conducting a more thorough genetic screening.

The Burden of Enforcing GINA: EEOC v. Nestle Illustrates One Challenge in Pursuing Genetic Discrimination Claimsby Jennifer K. Wagner and Dan Vorhaus, Genomics Law ReportJune 20th, 2012A recent court case demonstrates the challenges of enforcing the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

Informed Consent: A Broken Contractby Erika Check Hayden, Nature NewsJune 20th, 2012As large-scale genetic research has become faster and cheaper, more and more personal genetic data collected for one purpose ends up being used for another.

Payments for Victims of Eugenics Are Shelvedby Kim Severson, The New York TimesJune 20th, 2012North Carolina’s effort to compensate people who were sterilized under a widespread eugenics program that stretched into the 1970s all but died in the State Senate on Wednesday.

Policy Group’s Study Shows At Least 38 Wrongful Convictions Likely in Old Virginia Casesby Associated Press, The Washington PostJune 18th, 2012A new study of archived DNA samples has found that wrongful convictions in Virginia are higher than thought, especially in sexual assault cases.

Gene Patent Case Ramps Upby Amy Maxmen, Nature News BlogJune 15th, 2012The ACLU has filed additional documents in its lawsuit challenging patents on DNA in preparation for a hearing next month by a federal appeals court.

A Moment of Judicial Sanity on DNA Forensicsby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesJune 13th, 2012The Maryland Court of Appeals recently ruled that collecting DNA samples upon arrest is unconstitutional – a decision that runs counter to many other states’ decisions to expand their DNA databases through such tactics.

N.C. House Approves Measure Compensating Victims of Eugenics Programsby Lynn Bonner, News ObserverJune 5th, 2012In a 86-31 vote, the state House approved a measure that will compensate people sterilized by a state authority over four decades ago.

Bill Banning ‘Sex-Selective Abortions’ Fails in the Houseby Ed O'Keefe, Washington PostMay 31st, 2012A measure to ban abortions based on the sex of a fetus failed to pass in a House vote. Opponents of reproductive rights will try to use the vote against Democrats.

Maryland Law Enforcement Agencies Still Collecting DNA Samplesby Yvonne Wenger, Baltimore SunApril 25th, 2012Despite a recent court ruling by the state's top court, Maryland police say they will continue to collect DNA samples from people arrested but not convicted for certain crimes.

$10.3 Million for Eugenics Compensation by Herbert L. White, Charlotte PostApril 25th, 2012North Caroliona Governor Bev Perdue’s proposed budget will include $10.3 million for people involuntarily sterilized by the state.

Md. High Court Strikes Down DNA Collection at Arrest by Yvonne Wenger, Baltimore SunApril 24th, 2012Defying government and law-enforcement interest in expanding DNA profiling, Maryland's high court rules that collection of DNA at arrest violates civil rights.

The Texas Two-Step: New State Regs Allow Stem Cell Companies to Circumvent FDA Evaluations by Daniel Sharp, Biopolical TimesApril 19th, 2012New regulations in Texas allow stem cell corporations to circumvent FDA review, raising concerns for health and safety.

Texas Board Approves Rules on Use of Stem Cellsby Minjae Park, New York TimesApril 13th, 2012Amidst criticism, Texas approves controversial regulations for adult stem cells.

Statement to Institute of Medicine Committee on the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine by Marcy DarnovskyApril 10th, 2012Marcy Darnovsky of the Center for Genetics and Society made this statement before the Institute of Medicine Committee regarding CIRM's funding and governance structure.

New York Expands DNA Database . . . Again by Osagie K. ObasogieApril 5th, 2012Governor Cuomo signed an “all crimes” bill into law in late March, making New York the first state to require anyone convicted of a crime – including small misdemeanors like skipping transit fare – to submit DNA to the state database.

North Carolina Leads the Way in Compensation for Eugenic Sterilization Victimsby Emily Beitiks, Biopolitical TimesMarch 22nd, 2012Will North Carolina’s efforts to compensate victims of eugenic sterilization encourage other states to follow suit?

More than 100 N.C. Eugenics Matches Madeby Herbet L. White, Charlotte PostMarch 19th, 2012More than 100 individuals have been identified as victims of involuntary sterilizations in North Carolina.

New York State Set to Add All Convict DNA to Its Databaseby John Eligon and Thomas Kaplan, New York TimesMarch 14th, 2012New York is poised to establish one of the most expansive DNA databases in the nation, requiring DNA samples to accompany all convictions.

Stem Cell Fraud Is the Real Issue in Texasby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesMarch 2nd, 2012Bioethicist Glenn McGee has resigned from Celltex. His connection with the controversial stem-cell company has raised important issues about its business practices.

Rick Perry, Glenn McGee and Selling Texas Stem Cellsby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 16th, 2012Gov. Perry is actively promoting an industry based on adult stem cells, in which Glenn McGee, until recently editor of the American Journal of Bioethics, is now employed.

Non-Consenting AdultsThe Nuremberg Code, set up to protect the human subjects of research, is being routinely ignoredby Harriet A. Washington, SlateJanuary 22nd, 2012Marginalized groups have frequently been coerced into studies that violate their right to consent. Now such practices are spreading.

Scientists to Pause Research on Deadly Strain of Bird Fluby Denise Grady, New York TimesJanuary 20th, 2012A pause in research on a deadly bird flu strain reveals serious bio-security issues concerning engineered viruses.

Gov. Cuomo Plan Pushes DNA Samples from All People Convicted of a Crime in New York State of State initiative would add DNA from all misdemeanors to databaseby Glenn Blain, New York Daily NewsJanuary 8th, 2012In his State of the State Address Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo called for a vast expansion of the state’s DNA database to include samples from persons convicted of “all crimes,” including misdemeanors.

An Interesting Weekend on the Perils of Building Better Humansby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesDecember 15th, 2011Last weekend offered an interesting conversation on past and more modern attempts at building betters humans, which might ultimately say something interesting about our human future.

Thousands Sterilized, a State Weighs Restitutionby Kim Severson, New York TimesDecember 9th, 2011A task force is calculating North Carolina's obligation to the estimated 7600 victims of its eugenics program from 1933 to 1977, but the issues go deeper than just a dollar amount.

Ruling Restricts Newborn Blood Useby Tony Kennedy, Star TribuneNovember 16th, 2011The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a state health program that screens newborns for potential illnesses can't store the blood samples for additional research without parental consent.

St. Louis Officers to File Suit over Department's DNA Collectionby Christine Byers, St. Louis Post-DispatchNovember 14th, 2011The St. Louis Police Officers' Association filed a grievance saying the department's collection of DNA from police officers is a violation of Fourth Amendment rights and the officers' contract.

DNA Forensics: Setting the (Fool’s) Gold Standardby Doug Pet, Biopolitical TimesOctober 13th, 2011Emerging DNA forensic techniques require urgent scientific and legal scrutiny.

Fresh (Human) Eggs for Sale[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Ronald Bailey, ReasonOctober 11th, 2011Researchers announced last week that they had created stem cell lines using human eggs for the first time.

Stem cell research used cloning technique, paid women for eggs[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Eryn Brown, Los Angeles TimesOctober 6th, 2011"We should not put the health of young women at risk, especially to get raw materials for such exploratory investigations."

Longevity Gene Debate Opens Trans-Atlantic Riftby Nicholas Wade, New York TimesSeptember 21st, 2011A trans-Atlantic dispute has opened up over the "longevity gene." British scientists say it is “nearing the end of its life,” but the Americans say the approach remains as promising as ever.

Eugenics Victim, Son Fighting Together for Justiceby Allen G. Breed, ABC NewsAugust 15th, 2011Eugenics victim and son see long struggle for justice and recompense on verge of bearing fruit.

Sperm Donor's 24 Kids Never Told About Fatal Illnessby Susan Donaldson James, ABC NewsJuly 21st, 2011Guidelines indicate that donated sperm cannot have any "relevant communicable disease or agent," but there is no limit on how many donations can be made nor is there any sharing of medical information between the donor and the child's family.

NY Bill to Expand DNA Database Stalls in Legislatureby Emily Stehr, Biopolitical TimesJune 30th, 2011Lawmakers argue over access to the state’s forensic database instead of addressing underlying concerns about DNA evidence reliability and individuals’ rights.

Victims of state's eugenics program win sympathyby Regina Wang, Newsobserver.comJune 23rd, 2011From the 1920s to the 1970s, the North Carolina Board of Eugenics oversaw the sterilization of nearly 7,600 people.

Missed opportunities at California stem cell research agencyby Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles TimesJune 7th, 2011The state agency that funds stem cell research has failed to address criticism that its research is too narrow and its governance overly secretive, and that it has lacked integration with the state's overall research investment.

Illinois Bill Could Allow State To Collect DNA From Those Presumed Innocent, Marking Nationwide Shift by Will Guzzardi, Washington PostMay 26th, 2011If Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signs House Bill 3238, it will mark a turning point in the national landscape on DNA collection.

Another Expansion of DNA Databases: South Korea Collects DNA from Labor Unionistsby Jillian Theil, Biopolitical TimesApril 14th, 2011South Korea is expanding its DNA database to include labor activists, which is proving controversial, while the US and other countries try to define the scope of their own.

State Budgets and Expiring Patents: A Perfect Storm for Revisiting Human Subjects Research With Prisoners?by Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesApril 13th, 2011Experts note that it's "panic time" for Pharma. Are conditions changing in a manner that might lead to a future where drug companies look to prisons to populate their clinical trials?

Behind the New Arizona Abortion Ban by Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesApril 7th, 2011The Arizona law that bans abortion for reasons of sex or race is part of a larger strategy to undermine abortion rights.

Brewer signs bill to ban race- and sex-selection abortions[Arizona]by Tessa Muggeridge, The Tucson SentinelMarch 31st, 2011The Republican governor has signed into law a bill making Arizona the first state to ban abortions based on the race of a fetus and one of the few to ban abortions based on sex.

Genetic Bill of Rights: Teetering on the brink of Massachusetts law? by Doug Pet, Biopolitical TimesMarch 31st, 2011The Massachusetts legislature will deliberate on the introduction of a Genetic Bill of Rights next week. Public interest advocates are signing on in support while others oppose.

DNA Databases and Familial Searching: Handle with Careby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesMarch 24th, 2011The second California arrest after familial DNA matching should raise more questions, and provoke more discussion, than it so far has.

Governor's Executive Order targets eugenics and sterilization program [North Carolina]by Loretta Arnold, Examiner.com [Raleigh]March 17th, 2011Victims of the North Carolina Eugenics Board are one step closer to closure, compensation, and counseling.

Eugenics lawmaker resignsby Shira Schoenberg, Concord MonitorMarch 15th, 2011State Rep. Martin Harty resigned yesterday, facing outrage from constituents, colleagues and strangers over comments he made endorsing eugenics for what he called "defective people."

More on Genetic Rights in the Statesby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesMarch 4th, 2011California and Vermont have joined Massachusetts in introducing legislation intended to safeguard genetic privacy.

Massachusetts Considers Genetic Bill of Rightsby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 21st, 2011A state initiative to protect genetic rights would be a good next step that might spur the Federal government into further action.

State wants to collect your DNA on arrest, not convictionby Chris Sullivan, MyNorthwest.comFebruary 2nd, 2011There's a push in Washington state to start the collection process much earlier.

Feds to Pay States to Expand Forensic DNA Databases?by Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 26th, 2011A newly introduced bill would incentivize states to expand the collection of DNA from people arrested for certain crimes, before trial let alone conviction.

Surrogacy Law: Conn. Gives Non-Genetic Parents Legal Rightsby Susan Donaldson James, ABC NewsJanuary 20th, 2011Connecticut's Supreme Court honors a signed agreement between a surrogate mother and a gay couple.

Testing for Brainsby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 19th, 2011Discussing DTC tests, even libertarians seem to slip into some kind of contradictory acceptance of regulation.

A Mississippi prison sentence: 16 years and a kidneyby Doug PetJanuary 6th, 2011The governor of Mississippi releases imprisoned sisters under the condition one agrees to donate a kidney to the other.

SJC ruling extends reach of DNA casesby Jonathan Saltzman, The Boston GlobeDecember 10th, 2010The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts rules that the statute of limitation does not apply in cases that link DNA evidence to new suspects.

More Aggressive Action from New York On DNA Databasesby Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesOctober 31st, 2010In August, State Division of Criminal Justice Service Acting Commissioner Sean M. Byrne sent a letter to each one of New York’s district attorneys “strongly encourag[ing] [them] to require a DNA sample as a condition of all plea bargains.”

Whodunit? by Jessica Cerretani, Boston GlobeOctober 29th, 2010Family members' DNA may lead investigators to the answers, but using it as a forensic technique brings up some troubling questions.

Victims Using DNA Forensics Proactivelyby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 30th, 2010High-risk victims are becoming increasingly proactive in providing DNA evidence that may assist law enforcement.

Democrats and DNA Databases by Osagie K. Obasogie, The Huffington PostSeptember 24th, 2010A new bill means that the federal government would pay states to engage in a practice that will likely lead innocent people's DNA to be stored alongside convicted criminals.

In Fighting Crime, How Wide Should a Genetic Net Reach?by Natasha Singer, The New York TimesJuly 24th, 2010Privacy and equal protection concerns are raised by the latest criminal investigation technique called "familial searching."

Patricia Williams on DNA Databasesby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesApril 6th, 2010In her latest column for The Nation, Columbia Law Professor Patricia Williams offers an insightful critique of a burgeoning law enforcement practice: taking and retaining DNA samples from individuals arrested for a crime regardless of whether they are ever charged or convicted.

The ultimate betrayalN.C. eugenics survivors seek justice by Lara Torgesen, Indy WeekMarch 24th, 2010Thousands of North Carolina residents were forcibly sterilized as part of the state's eugenics policy. The survivors are seeking justice before they die.

Is a DNA Scan a Medical Test or Just Informational? Views Differby Andrew Pollack, New York TimesMarch 22nd, 2010Whether the consumer genomics services are indeed medical tests or - as 23andMe contends - merely informational, is not just a regulatory issue. It is a business question, too.

Eugenics: Remembering History and the Living Victimsby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesMarch 12th, 2010New initiatives in North Carolina and Canada aim to confront the legacy of 20th-century eugenics.

States retain infant DNA after tests [Minnesota]Genetic sample raises privacy issuesby Brian Ojanpa, Mankato Free PressMarch 6th, 2010In many states, babies’ DNA is stored indefinitely in government labs, which has resulted in a spate of lawsuits.

Foundation to aid victims of N.C. eugenics campaignby Herbert L. White, The Charlotte PostMarch 4th, 2010People who were sterilized against their will under a North Carolina law now have an advocate.

Egg donors could face new restrictions [Arizona]by Howard Fischer, Arizona Daily SunMarch 3rd, 2010State senators voted to require warnings to women who provide eggs for other people's fertility treatments.

Human cloning ban passes Senate [Arizona]by Luige del Puerto, Arizona Capitol TimesMarch 1st, 2010The Arizona Senate passed a referendum that would ban human cloning in Arizona, despite opposition from lawmakers who said the bill is a waste of time because it addresses an imaginary problem.

DNA Deceptionby Emily Ramshaw, Texas TribuneFebruary 22nd, 2010Texas's program of newborn blood sampling has transferred hundreds of infant blood spots to an Armed Forces lab to build a national registry, without parental consent.

Partial Matches Allowed in New Yorkby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 13th, 2010New York’s Commission on Forensic Science has recently approved the use of partial matches in state criminal investigations.

Sex Selection: Tools for Actionby Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesFebruary 10th, 2010Information, political education activities, and policy suggestions for reproductive rights and justice advocates.

New Rule Allows Use of Partial DNA Matchesby Jeremy W. Peters, New York TimesJanuary 24th, 2010New York has become the latest jurisdiction to permit the controversial familial matching of DNA for forensic evidence.

Surrogacy Battles Expose Uneven Legal Landscapeby Nathan Koppel, Wall Street JournalJanuary 15th, 2010Surrogacy remains a relatively uncommon pathway to parenthood, in part because it still rests on a somewhat shaky legal ground in parts of the country

Reparations for Eugenics Victims Stall in North Carolinaby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 5th, 2010The Winston-Salem Journal reports that there's been negligible progress in issuing the allocated reparations.

Eugenics damages yet to be paid out[North Carolina]by James Romoser, Winston-Salem JournalDecember 26th, 2009State money allocated for sterilization victims still has not been spent, and no substantive progress has been made on a special foundation that is to be established.

State Stem Cell Funding Possibly In Jeopardy [Connecticut]by Arielle Levin Baker, Hartford CourantDecember 14th, 2009With a looming budget deficit, state stem cell funding could be in jeopardy.

For Sale: Human Eggs Become a Research Commodityby Katherine Harmon, Scientific AmericanOctober 31st, 2009A decision to pay for eggs for stem cell studies sparks debate.

[Ohio] Bill will allow DNA testing on arrestby Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati EnquirerSeptember 5th, 2009A controversial measure to expand the collection of DNA samples to those arrested on felony charges has passed the Senate and been endorsed by the governor.

New York OKs paying women who donate eggs for research[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Kevin B. O'Reilly, American Medical NewsJuly 27th, 2009Egg providers may get up to $10,000, an amount critics say could induce women to take unnecessary medical risks.

New Report on Regulating Assisted Reproductive Technologiesby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesJuly 24th, 2009A new report takes on the question of whether government should regulate assisted reproductive technologies and, moreover, whether such regulation would be constitutional.

New York to Pay Women to Give Eggs for Stem Cell Researchby Rob Stein, Washington PostJune 25th, 2009New York has become the first state to allow taxpayer-funded researchers to pay women for giving their eggs for cloning-based stem cell research.

"A bad idea whose time has apparently come"by Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesJune 23rd, 2009New York's stem cell program breaks with an international consensus, putting women's health at risk in order to pursue a discredited line of research.

NY to pay for eggs for researchby Elie Dolgin, The ScientistJune 17th, 2009New York has become the first and only state to pay women for eggs for cloning-based stem cell research

New York: OK to pay for eggs for stem cell researchby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesMay 19th, 2009The New York state stem cell research program is pushing the payment-for-eggs envelope further.

Prosecutors Block Access to DNA Testing for Inmatesby Shaila Dewan, New York TimesMay 17th, 2009Prosecutors are using new arguments to get around laws enabling convicted inmates to get a DNA test.

Moving in the Wrong Directionby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesApril 22nd, 2009In recent weeks, both Nevada and Colorado are pursuing state laws that would place arrestees’ DNA in forensic databases, right next to profiles from convicted felons.

F.B.I. and States Vastly Expand DNA Databasesby Solomon Moore, New York TimesApril 18th, 2009Law enforcement officials are vastly expanding their collection of DNA to include millions more people who have been arrested or detained but not yet convicted,

Bill to Ban Human Cloning Signed by Governor (Montana)KFBBApril 1st, 2009A bill to ban human cloning in the state of Montana has officially been signed by Governor Schweitzer.

Stripped down embryo bill passes Georgia Senateby Matt Schafer, Southern VoiceMarch 20th, 2009Georgia lawmakers passed a bill regulating the creation of embryos

Genetic Surveillance for Allby Jeffrey Rosen, SlateMarch 17th, 2009What if the FBI put the family of everyone who has ever been convicted or arrested into a giant DNA database?

Do Convicts Have A Right to DNA Testing? by Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesMarch 12th, 2009On the heels of the Innocence Project’s 200th exoneration through post-conviction DNA testing, the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to take up a case that will determine whether all prisoners should have a right to such testing.

Stem Cell Decision Worries Some Scientists [Quotes CGS's Jesse Reynolds]by Andrew Pollack, New York TimesMarch 11th, 2009Obama's decision has removed the original raison d'être for the California program and others like it. And with most states facing severe budget pressures, it may prove difficult to justify spending the money.

Stricter rules on fertility industry debated[Quotes CGS's Jesse Reynolds]by Kimi Yoshino and Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles TimesMarch 6th, 2009Some doctors worry that octuplet mom Nadya Suleman's case may be used as a pretense to pass laws limiting abortion rights. Others fear a confusing patchwork of regulations.

"OctoMom" inspires bill to regulate fertility clinics[Quotes CGS's Jesse Reynolds]by Malcolm Maclachlan, Capitol WeeklyMarch 5th, 2009The California Senate, as well as Missouri and Georgia, will consider legislation to regulate the assisted reproduction industry

Potential payment for eggs in New York: An updateby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 30th, 2009New York state's stem cell research program deferred consideration of payments for women to provide eggs for stem cell research.

NY stem cell research nears dangerous lineby Jesse Reynolds, NewsdayJanuary 23rd, 2009Stem cell research may soon make headlines again. But in New York, a different type of stem cell controversy is brewing.

Letter to the New York stem cell research program ethics boardby Jesse Reynolds and Susan FogelJanuary 21st, 2009The Center for Genetics and Society and the Pro-Choice Alliance for Responsible Research sent this letter regarding the consideration of payments for eggs for research.

Cloning ban law likely not legal, trial judge saysAssociated PressDecember 31st, 2008A Missouri judge said that a state constitutional amendment endorsing stem cell research likely creates problems for a law set up to award life science research grants.

Hotline for Eugenics Victimsby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesDecember 10th, 2008North Carolina has set up a toll-free number for survivors of the state's eugenic program.

DNA Databases: Another Human Rights Violation in the U.S. Criminal Justice System? by Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesDecember 9th, 2008A ruling last week out of the European Court of Human Rights suggests that the US might be engaging in a human rights violation by collecting and retaining DNA profiles from arrestees never convicted of a crime.

The Exoneratorby Jennifer S. Forsyth and Leslie Eaton, Wall Street JournalNovember 15th, 2008The Dallas D.A. is using DNA to review old cases, free Prisoners -- and riling his peers in the process

RIP: Stem Cells in Politics (2002-2008)by Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesNovember 5th, 2008Michigan may have passed its stem cell research initiative, but the real message from this election cycle is the end of embryonic stem cell research as a relevant political issue.

Michigan Proposal to Expand Stem Cell Research Passesby Megha Satyanarayana, Free PressNovember 4th, 2008A proposal to loosen restrictions on embryonic stem cell research in Michigan has passed according to analysis of key precinct results and exit poll data.

Supreme Court to Review DNA Case by David Stout, The New York TimesNovember 3rd, 2008The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to review an Alaska rape case to determine whether a defendant has a constitutional right to have tests conducted on genetic evidence found at a crime scene.

The Race Card in Michiganby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesNovember 3rd, 2008Opponents of Proposal 2 tend to view embryos as an early form of human life and therefore see embryonic stem cell research as unethical human experimentation. To bolster their moral claim regarding the use of vulnerable subjects in scientific research, they are now comparing embryonic stem cell research to the Tuskegee experiment.

Another November, Another Stem Cell Ballot Measureby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesOctober 28th, 2008For the fourth time in five years, there's an embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) initiative on a state ballot.

Progress Is Minimal in Clearing DNA Cases by Solomon Moore, The New York TimesOctober 24th, 2008Local and state law enforcement agencies have made uneven progress in reducing a nationwide backlog of cases awaiting DNA analysis over the past four years, according to reports filed by more than 100 agencies with the National Institute of Justice.

Stem Cell Promises, Obstacles Remain Four Years After Bill's Approval[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Sandy Kleffman, MediaNewsOctober 12th, 2008Four years after California residents captured worldwide attention by voting to spend $3 billion on stem cell research, many of the anticipated new therapies are at least 10 years away and numerous hurdles must be overcome.

Bringing in the Heavy Artillery by Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesOctober 10th, 2008In the midst of heated campaigns regarding a Michigan state ballot measure on whether the state should allow researchers to derive embryonic stem cells from leftover IVF embryos, PhRMA seems to have entered the fray.

Eugenics — AgainCompulsory sterilization is back in the newsby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesSeptember 25th, 2008Proposals for compulsory sterilization have just been made in three different jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada.

Cures, jobs, ethics on the line in vote on stem cell researchOpposing sides dig in as vote nears on Proposal 2by Megha Satyanarayana, Detroit Free PressSeptember 24th, 2008Michigan voters will decide the emotionally charged issue of embryonic stem cell research on the basis of a 100-word ballot initiative.

DNA’s identity crisisby Chris Smith, San FranciscoAugust 31st, 2008If defense attorney Bicka Barlow and a growing group of skeptical lawyers and scientists are right, we have built our justice system’s use of DNA evidence on statistical sand.

More From the Los Angeles Times on DNA Databasesby Osagie Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesJuly 22nd, 2008The Los Angeles Times published another article on what has become an intriguing series questioning the long held belief that matches made in DNA databases uniquely identify perpetrators with an extraordinarily high level of certainty

New Jersey ends stem cell dreamsby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesJune 24th, 2008The long-planned Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey died quietly last week - so quietly, in fact, that some of its prominent backers were caught unaware.

State Pulls Back on Stem Cell Funding by Josh Margolin and Ted Sherman, The Star-LedgerJune 22nd, 2008Eight months after state officials broke ground on New Jersey's new center for stem cell research, the once-heralded $150 million project has quietly been put on indefinite hold.

Egg shortage hits race to clone human stem cells: Researchers back bid to pay donors[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Brendan Maher, NatureJune 11th, 2008US stem-cell researchers are calling for changes to state laws that prohibit compensating women who donate eggs for research.

Partisan fratricide over stem cells in Missouri?by Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesJune 6th, 2008Just when you thought that the strange saga of stem cell research policy in Missouri was over, think again.

New York considers paying women for eggs for stem cell researchby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesJune 3rd, 2008The New York state stem cell research program is considering offering compensation for women to provide eggs.

Stem cell firm opening raises questionsAssociated PressMay 1st, 2008A grant for stem cell research to a California-based company by the New Jersey government is raising questions, particularly amid budget cuts.

Stem Cell and Cloning Confusion, Once Againby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesApril 29th, 2008A frustrating aspect of working in stem cell policy is the nearly incessant conflation of the various types of stem cell research.

Outsourcing Labor [Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Joann Klimkiewicz, The Hartford CourantApril 24th, 2008While there's still a critical eye cast on surrogacy, the tenor of much of today's media coverage has changed from the circus-like days of Baby M to familiar territory that's found its way into the hive of popular culture.

States Crack Down On Online Gene Testsby Robert Langreth and Matthew Herper, ForbesApril 18th, 2008The flashy new industry of personalized gene testing is experiencing some early blowback. New York State's Department of Health has sent letters raising the specter of fines and jail time to six online gene-testing firms.

Inaccuracy and Histrionics in Louisiana by Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesApril 17th, 2008In a too-common occurrence, the media are inaccurately portraying a stem cell bill, and research advocates are exaggerating its potential impact.

Maryland: Stem cell researchers reeling from proposed 80% fund cutby Karen Buckelew, Maryland Daily RecordMarch 3rd, 2008Cutting the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund by nearly 80 percent would mean "effectively stopping the program," according to the chair of the commission that oversees it.

Slow Calif. science plan a lesson for Mass.by Todd Wallack, Boston GlobeFebruary 11th, 2008The slow rate of progress serves as a reality check for Massachusetts and other states that have followed California's lead by placing big bets on medical research.

Those who don't know (recent) historyby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 31st, 2008The leaders of the New York program seem to have not learned lessons from the California experience.

States Assess Breakthrough On Stem CellsThose With Big Investments Vow to Continue Researchby Rick Weiss, Washington PostNovember 22nd, 2007Tuesday's announcement that scientists had found a noncontroversial way to make cells equivalent to human embryonic stem cells generated economic and geopolitical tremors through states that have invested in embryonic stem cell programs and research centers.

Defeat in N.J. of stem cell initiative raises alarm [Quotes CGS's Jesse Reynolds] State had led the way backing research issueby Terri Somers, San Diego Union-TribuneNovember 11th, 2007What happened on Tuesday, when voters in the pro-choice, Democrat-controlled New Jersey overwhelmingly turned down a bond initiative that would have allowed the state to borrow $450 million over the next decade to support stem cell research?

New Jersey Rejects Stem-Cell Bonds in `Big Defeat'by Terrence Dopp, BloombergNovember 7th, 2007New Jersey voters rejected a $450 million bond measure to fund stem-cell research in a defeat for Democratic Governor Jon Corzine.

Stem Cell Research in New Jersey: The Beginning of the End of Hype?by Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesNovember 7th, 2007The path to failure of a ballot initiative in New Jersey may indicate that the sheen and hype of imminent cures is beginning to wear off of embryonic stem cell research.

First One in the Pool...by Marcy Darnovsky, Biopolitical TimesOctober 17th, 2007The point, of course, is that in fact not everybody is equally represented in the DNA databases that are rapidly expanding in the United States as well as the UK.

Sex, Lies, and Embryos The Implications of Granting Rights to Embryosby Jessica Arons, Science ProgressOctober 16th, 2007A 1986 Louisiana law gives embryos the right to sue or be sued. But conservatives' efforts to limit the uses of ART does not mean that progressives should promote their unrestricted use.

Exoneration Using DNA Brings Change in Legal Systemby SOLOMON MOORE, New York TimesOctober 1st, 2007State lawmakers across the country are adopting broad changes to criminal justice procedures as a response to the exoneration of more than 200 convicts through the use of DNA evidence.

[Illinois] Governor allows stem-cell funding by Monique Garcia, Chicago TribuneAugust 29th, 2007In an effort to woo researchers and investors to Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday signed a bill that allows public funding of research on all types of stem cells, including controversial embryonic stem cells.

New Mo. group targets stem-cell workby David A. Lieb, ASSOCIATED PRESSAugust 22nd, 2007Missouri's battle over embryonic stem cell research intensified today as a new group proposed a ballot measure seeking to outlaw a particular research method that voters narrowly endorsed just last year.

[Blog] Who's funding stem cell research?by Jim Fossett, Bioethics.netAugust 14th, 2007We've been arguing for a long time here that states have been spending more on human embryonic stem cell(hESC) research than the feds, and now we have some numbers to back it up.

Stem cell dissent roils statesby Stephanie Simon, Los Angeles TimesAugust 1st, 2007Even where voters have moved to support the embryonic research, opposition is fierce.

[North Carolina] Panel passes embryonic stem cell researchby Gary D. Robertson, Associated PressJuly 26th, 2007The largest committee in the state House backed legislation Thursday setting rules for how research can be performed on human embryonic stem cells, even though the bill eliminated funding to encourage research.

Stem Cell Movement Faces Setbacksby Andale Gross, Sci-Tech TodayJuly 24th, 2007Eight months ago, Missouri seemed well on its way to becoming a national leader in stem cell research. Now the spotlight is all but gone after a research institute and lawmakers withdrew financial support.

Stowers Institute Delays Missouri Expansionby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesJuly 17th, 2007The Stowers Institute for Medical Research may not locate its multi-billion dollar expansion in Missouri after all.

Embryonic stem cell research divides statesby Christine Vestal, Stateline.orgJune 22nd, 2007States have taken widely diverging positions on the stem cell research.

Whichever Way the Wind Blowsby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesMay 24th, 2007A recent article on potential economic benefits from California's $3 billion investment in stem cell research has reference to the over-the-top - yet widely-cited - optimistic scenarios spun in an economic analysis that was widely touted, and funded, by the campaign to establish the state program - despite sharing an author.

The States, the Feds, and Embryonic Stem Cell Researchby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesMay 12th, 2007Sam Berger and James Fossett publicly air a disagreement about the appropriate roles of the federal and state governments in funding stem cell research. While they both make critical points, they also engage in a rhetorical exercise that misses the mark.

Massachusetts Proposes Stem Cell Research Grantsby Pam Belluck, New York TimesMay 10th, 2007Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday unveiled a $1.25 billion proposal intended to help the state maintain its status as a pre-eminent place for stem cell research and other life sciences.

The Crossroads of America?by Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesApril 13th, 2007The state of Indiana has apologized for its role in the eugenics movement. As a native of Indiana, where I spent my first twenty years, the story was already close to home. But when I saw the photo of Jamie Coleman (above), a woman present at the marker commemoration who'd been sterilized in 1971, it moved even closer.

Creative DNA collection raises ethical questionsMSNBCMarch 19th, 2007Police, eager to close cases, secretly trail suspects to get their genetic IDs

Prisons: Rehabilitation or Repository?by Osagie K. Obasogie, Biopolitical TimesMarch 15th, 2007On the heels of the IOM's suggestion to relax restrictions on using prisoners in clinical trials, South Carolina is looking to push the envelope a bit further: incentivizing prisoners to "donate" organs by skimming 180 days off their sentence.

Illinois bill to fund stem cell researchby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesMarch 7th, 2007Public funding of stem cell research in Illinois - already the practice due to executive orders - is about to become enshrined in law.

The Biotech Bubble: Why stem-cell research won't make states rich.by David Hamilton, SlateFebruary 6th, 2007As Congress hunts for ways to push its stem-cell bill past an expected veto, states are charging ahead on their own, but the economic rationale seems hopelessly optimistic.

A Penny on the Dollarby Chris Thompson, East Bay ExpressJanuary 24th, 2007"The more details emerge about Proposition 71, California's $3 billion stem-cell research project, the more it all looks like a big lie that will cost us billions of dollars more than we were told."

Stem Cell Reality Checkby Malcolm Maclachlan, Capitol WeeklyJanuary 23rd, 2007A University of California Berkeley economics professor has done an analysis of the financial returns likely to come to California from stem cell research--and he said they will likely be a small fraction of what proponents" say.

The Empire State stem cell proposalby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesJanuary 18th, 2007While last week's passage of the stem cell research bill by the House of Representatives made a big splash, it's really almost a non-event. The real stem cell funding news was in Albany. There, New York's new governor is proposing that some serious public money back embryonic stem cell research. But the proposal may not be what first meets the eye.

Cloning fight launchedby Kit Wagar, Kansas City StarDecember 20th, 2006"Surrounded by boisterous supporters, state Sen. Matt Bartle and Rep. Jim Lembke unveiled their proposal Tuesday to reverse last month’s public vote to protect stem-cell research in Missouri."

Rich Donors Help Calif. Fund Stem Cell Researchby Sonya Geis, Washington PostDecember 19th, 2006"Two years after California voters passed a landmark $3 billion bond measure for stem cell research, not a single bond has been sold and not a penny of bond money has been spent. The fund is caught up in court challenges."

Year in Review: Research cloning: Next front in the stem cell wars? (Part 4 of 5)Genetic CrossroadsDecember 14th, 2006Scientific fraud of the century; Australia and Missouri approve research cloning

Two takes on "cures in ten years"by Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesDecember 5th, 2006Two articles from the weekend highlight diminishing expectations for California's stem cell research program. Its governing board is meeting this week, and will approve a strategic plan that is in in sharp contrast to the exaggerated rhetoric of the Proposition 71 campaign that created the program.

Stem cell (il)literacyby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesNovember 14th, 2006These topics can be a bit confusing, and many advocates on both sides of the polarized debate have consciously worked to reshape the language. The mistakes made by most writers are due to the learning curve and the linguistic machinations of interested parties. Regardless of the cause, the public is too often left more confused than before.

Mortal CombatThe Exploding Politics of Biotechnologyby William Saletan, SlateNovember 11th, 2006"We're so not ready for this. But we can't stop ourselves. So we try to simplify the oncoming technologies, treating them like issues we already know."

Missouri stem cell plan OKdby Jeremy Manier, Chicago TribuneNovember 9th, 2006"On an Election Day when activists of many ideological stripes could tout victories on ballot measures, the narrow passage of a stem cell research initiative in Missouri sent a mixed message about that issue's political potency."

Missouri's Amendment 2 both passes and failsby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesNovember 8th, 2006The election results are in, and although Missouri's stem cell initiative passed, it did not truly succeed. A few weeks ago, I proposed three reasons why so much effort (i.e. $30 million) was behind Amendment 2. So, how did its supporters do in these regards?

Stem Cell Research in the Midterm ElectionsNovember 8th, 2006Stem cell research was again a contentious and high-profile topic in this year’s elections, but in most races its effectiveness – as a wedge issue for Democrats or a get-out-the-base issue for Republicans – remains unclear.

Missouri Boosts Stem Cell Researchby Rachel Barron, Red HerringNovember 8th, 2006"And on Wednesday, it appears Missouri voters passed a state constitutional amendment protecting the state_s right to conduct stem cell research already allowed under federal law."

Do stem cells work as a wedge?by Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesOctober 27th, 2006Leading into the midterm elections, many saw support for stem cell research as a way for Democrats to peel off moderate Republicans and independents. The jury's still out, but some polls suggest this assumption is off base.

Stem Cell Issue Roils Missouri Raceby David Lieb, Associated PressOctober 26th, 2006"The battle over stem cell research in Missouri doesn't lack for star power. Ailing actor Michael J. Fox, rock star cancer-survivor Sheryl Crow, Super Bowl hero Kurt Warner, World Series pitcher Jeff Suppan and celebrities galore have all given voters their two cents"

The Stem Cell Debate Gets Filthyby Parita Shah, Biopolitical TimesOctober 25th, 2006

For stem cell commission, conflicts may be hard to avoidby Erin Bryant, Capital News ServiceOctober 20th, 2006The Maryland Stem Cell Commission is the state panel charged with distributing $15 million in research grants to universities, research labs and biotech companies throughout the state. Yet, as the commission’s 15 members settle down to work, it is becoming increasingly clear that some members face a built-in conflict of interest — as they come from the same institutions applying for the grants.

Millions more in funds for Missouri for stem cell research amendmentby Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesOctober 18th, 2006

Measure poses hard-to-answer question to Missouri votersby Matt Franck, St. Louis Post-DispatchOctober 7th, 2006"In the case of a statewide ballot measure on stem-cell research, voters face a tug of war between those who argue for the sanctity of unborn life, and those who tout the promises of potential cures."

Stem Cells on Missouri's Ballot: Much Political Ado, Little Policy MeaningGenetic CrossroadsSeptember 14th, 2006On the heels of federal debate over human embryonic stem cell research, and two years after the passage of California's stem cell research initiative, the issue returns to a state ballot. But this time, in the central state of Missouri, the policy proposal is much different.

Impact of stem cell initiative questionableby David Lieb, Associated PressSeptember 10th, 2006"More precisely, proposed Constitutional Amendment 2, which would guarantee that any federally allowed stem cell research and therapy can occur in Missouri, including on human embryos. By early summer, supporters already had raised more than $16 million."

State Takes Steps To Award Stem-Cell Fundingby Liese Klein, CT Business News JournalSeptember 4th, 2006More than 70 researchers are in the running for state stem-cell research funds, the state's Department of Health says, and the money from the $20 million pot could start flowing as soon as the first of the year.... Connecticut, along with California and the handful of other states with stem-cell programs, has not taken appropriate steps to make sure the highest scientific and ethical standards are maintained, Reynolds says.

Stem Cell Gold RushState Board Rife With Conflictsby Jesse Reynolds, Hartford CourantAugust 20th, 2006"Unfortunately, there are signs that Connecticut's $100 million program is rushing forward in a reckless and haphazard way, risking not just millions of taxpayer dollars but the reputation of a line of research that could alleviate suffering."

Letter-to-the-editor: Groups' focus is safety of egg donorsby Sujatha Jesudason and Judy Norsigian, St. Louis Post-DispatchAugust 12th, 2006"Our concerns about women's health with respect to cloning techniques that might be used in stem cell research are in the context of our work to promote women's health and rights."

Women's risk is issue in Missouri stem cell debateby Matt Franck, St. Louis Post-DispatchAugust 6th, 2006"A proposed constitutional amendment protecting stem cell research is likely to rise or fall on whether Missourians view a mass of cells in a Petri dish as a cure for disease or a human embryo worthy of protection."

Md. Approves Fund To Support Medical Stem Cell Researchby John Wagner, Washington PostMarch 30th, 2006"Maryland will become one of four states that have agreed to fund stem cell research.... the state will offer as much as $15 million in grants in the coming year to university and private-sector researchers...."

Policy Developments on Women's EggsGenetic CrossroadsMarch 29th, 2006

Egg-donor business booms on campusesby Jim Hopkins, USA TodayMarch 16th, 2006"Five years after a trade group tried reining them in, fertility clinics and brokers are bidding up prices for eggs sold by cash-strapped college women with top test scores and picture-perfect looks."

Eggs for research: Endangering women's health?Genetic CrossroadsFebruary 23rd, 2006The cloning scandal has highlighted the hazards that procuring eggs for research will pose for women's health. It is important to remember that women's eggs are necessary only for research that involves cloning, and that the emphasis put on this technique by some stem cell scientists may be misplaced.

Stem cell debate: Should women get paid for eggs?[Quotes CGS's Marcy Darnovsky]by Daniel Levine, San Francisco Business TimesFebruary 6th, 2006"It's not like it's great having women doing this for free, because then they are the only ones who don't stand to make money, but it's worse to pay them," said Darnovsky.

State laws bypass research banChristian Science MonitorFebruary 1st, 2006"Stem-cell initiatives flowing from legislatures and governors' offices continue to gather steam, including some that permit controversial human cloning to generate embryonic stem cells."

Other states looking to spend public money on stem cell researchCapitol WeeklyJanuary 19th, 2006"As more than a dozen other states pursue their own stem cell efforts, it appears California is in fact being used as an example--but in some cases, it is being held as an example of what not to do. "

In a first, New Jersey awards stem-cell grantsPhiladelphia InquirerDecember 17th, 2005New Jersey "became the first in the nation yesterday to fund [embryonic] stem-cell research, awarding grants to 17 researchers at universities, nonprofit institutions and corporate labs."

California's Stem Cell Program Is Hobbled but Staying the Courseby Andrew Pollack, New York TimesDecember 10th, 2005"After nearly an entire morning of sometimes heated debate the other day, the board overseeing California's $3 billion stem cell research institute took action. It asked the organization's president to draw up a plan for how to draw up a strategic plan. "

Stem cell initiative cleared for petition gathering [Missouri]Associated PressNovember 15th, 2005Signatures are being gathered in Missouri to place on the next statewide ballot a proposed constitutional amendment that would protect research cloning.

Stem-Cell Rift Shows Difficulty Obtaining Eggsby Antonio Regalado, Wall Street JournalNovember 14th, 2005"THE BREAKUP of a U.S.-Korean scientific partnership on Friday may derail what supporters had hoped would become a promising source of research into cloning and human embryonic stem cells."

An Offshore Haven for Human Embryonic Stem-Cell Research?New England Journal of MedicineOctober 20th, 2005South Korean researchers "planning to offer researchers in the United States and other countries a chance to work with such cell lines without having to make them themselves."

The states and stem cell researchGenetic CrossroadsSeptember 29th, 2005

Florida Group: No Taxpayer $ for Embryonic Stem Cell ResearchLifeNews.comSeptember 28th, 2005An anti-abortion rights coalition in Florida has proposed a counter initiative to the effort to dedicate a stream of public funding to embryonic stem cell research.

Stem cell watchdog group begins work [Massachusetts]Fitchburg Sentinel and EnterpriseSeptember 22nd, 2005A new body to regulate human embryonic stem cell research in Massachusetts held its first meeting.

Group urges $200 million for stem-cell research [Florida]Palm Beach PostSeptember 22nd, 2005A proposal to spend $200 million to fund embryonic stem cell research is heading towards the Florida 2006 ballot.

Federal funding for embryonic stem cell studies gets a boostby Joel B. Finkelstein, American Medical NewsAugust 22nd, 2005While the fate of federal legislation to expand funding of embryonic stem cell research is unclear, states are moving ahead with their own programs.

$5M for stem cell research available [New Jersey]The Times of TrentonAugust 15th, 2005"The state Commission on Science and Technology yesterday said it will begin accepting applications for the $5 million in grant money the state is making available for stem cell research conducted in New Jersey."

LEGISLATIVE UPDATESGenetic CrossroadsAugust 4th, 2005

Illinois to Pay for Cell ResearchNew York TimesJuly 13th, 2005"Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed an executive order on Tuesday making Illinois the fourth state to devote public money to embryonic stem cell research."

Secrecy shrouds taxpayer-supported research [New Jersey]North Jersey Media GroupJune 19th, 2005Public and private interests are blurring in New Jersey's publicly funded stem cell research, but there is little transparency.

N.J.'s big-bucks experimentNorth Jersey Media GroupJune 19th, 2005"With little fanfare and no direct approval of the electorate, the state of New Jersey has spent hundreds of millions of dollars supporting the biotech industry."

Rell Signs Law Establishing Stem Cell Research Fund [Connecticut]NBC 30June 15th, 2005"Gov. M. Jodi Rell Wednesday signed into law an act permitting stem cell research and banning the cloning of human beings, which establishes a 10-year, $100 million fund to encourage stem cell research in Connecticut."

Editorial: A good venture, but take care on ethics [New Jersey]Philadelphia InquirerApril 24th, 2005"Economic development shouldn't be the sole driver of a decision as ethically complex as devoting public funds to stem-cell research.... New Jersey should flesh out its oversight by looking to the United Kingdom, the world's model on stem-cell research."

CONFUSION IN THE STATES OVER STEM CELLS; FEDERAL ACTION EXPECTEDGenetic CrossroadsMarch 31st, 2005

California Bill To Ban Cloned And Genetically Modified PetsGenetic CrossroadsMarch 31st, 2005

Editorial: State ScienceWashington PostMarch 8th, 2005"There is a risk, in Maryland as in California, that the [state stem cell programs] could be hijacked by a small group of insiders whose main interest is funding their own research."

Opinion: Risks to women in embryo cloningby Judy Norsigian, Boston GlobeFebruary 25th, 2005Judy Norsigian, executive director of Our Bodies Ourselves, describes the risks to women from research cloning.

Stem-cell question may land on ballotby John Chase and Peter Gorner, Chicago TribuneNovember 24th, 2004Illinois politicians and medical leaders will ask the legislature to place a one billion dollar stem cell initiative on the 2006 ballot.

California Stem Cell Project Energizes Other States to Actby Megan Garvey, Los Angeles TimesNovember 22nd, 2004"As California moves quickly toward setting up a $3-billion embryonic stem cell research agency, other states are scrambling to prevent their top researchers from being raided."

[Wisconsin] Gov. Doyle unveiled plans to invest nearly $750 million to bolster stem cell researchAssociated PressNovember 19th, 2004"The governor wants to use a combination of public and private money to pay for his strategy, which would include a new $375 million research institute that would house laboratories for stem cell and other research at the University of Wisconsin."

Weird Science: California stem cell proposition is risky end run on flawed Bush compromiseby Ellen Goodman, Syndicated columnOctober 22nd, 2004Ellen Goodman, syndicated columnist, argues that, despite her support of public funding for embryonic stem cell research, California's Proposition 71 is the wrong way to go about it.

Maryland’s Stem-Cell Warsby Ralph Brave, Baltimore City PaperSeptember 1st, 2004Ralph Brave takes us inside the battles over embryos, cloning, and the future of medicine.

Stem-cell Research's Creative Financing Federal Strictures Prompt Push for Private, State Fundsby Carl T. Hall, San Francisco ChronicleMarch 15th, 2004

LEGISLATIVE BEATGenetic CrossroadsJanuary 13th, 2004

STATE CLONING LEGISLATIONGenetic CrossroadsMay 9th, 2003

LEGISLATION IN CANADA AND SLOVAKIAGenetic CrossroadsMay 9th, 2003

CHANGES TO CENTER’S WEBSITEGenetic CrossroadsFebruary 7th, 2003

SUPPORT FOR BANS ON HUMAN CLONINGGenetic CrossroadsNovember 26th, 2002

Bill Prohibiting Human Cloning Introduced in TexasGenetic CrossroadsJanuary 7th, 2001

California Cloning Committee Meets in Los AngelesGenetic CrossroadsOctober 16th, 2000

ALERT: California Human Cloning Advisory Committee meets in San Francisco on Monday, May 15Genetic CrossroadsMay 10th, 2000

January 27 California State Human Cloning Advisory CommitteeGenetic CrossroadsDecember 26th, 1999