The Center for Genetics and Society was founded in October 2001 under the leadership of Richard A. Hayes, Ph.D. to advocate for social oversight and control of new human biotechnologies. It drew from and continues to promote discussions and collaborations with key leaders in science, medicine, women’s health, racial justice, disability rights, environmental justice, and human rights. A primary focus of the organization has been to alert civil society constituencies to the challenges posed by new human genetic technologies and assist them in building their capacity to engage in the discussions and debates about appropriate regulation. CGS organizes and presents at key conferences and symposiums on biopolitical issues both nationally and internationally; conducts briefings for interest groups and elected officials; engages in selected policy interventions; and has a widespread media presence that includes high-profile publications, an active blog, and social media. In 2005, CGS received a “Local Heroes” award from the San Francisco Bay Guardian. In 2006, current Executive Director Marcy Darnovsky was named one of five “women in bioethics making a difference” by the Women’s Bioethics Project.
CGS filed several amicus briefs in the lawsuit against Myriad Genetics concerning its breast-cancer gene patents. In June 2013, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that naturally occurring human genes cannot be patented.
CGS the successful 2006 bill SB 1260, which ensures that women in California who provide eggs for private research are accorded all established federal and state protections for human research subjects, and limits reimbursement to their direct expenses. It the 2013 bill AB 926, which would have removed these provisions.
CGS played a lead role in holding California’s $3 billion stem cell research agency accountable to the state’s legislature and public. It submitted invited to the "Little Hoover" Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy in 2008 and to the Institute of Medicine Committee in 2012, focusing on the conflicts of interest built into the agency’s governing board.
CGS was involved in the early stages of the 2000-2005 United Nations effort to propose an international treaty prohibiting human reproductive cloning.
Selected events and conferences
CGS organized or co-organized the following conferences:
Organized by the Center for Genetics and Society, the in Tarrytown, New York, were held in July 2010, 2011, and 2012. The meetings brought together 200 advocates, policy experts, scholars, and others to discuss how emerging human biotechnologies could be used to “support rather than undermine social justice, equality, human rights, ecological integrity and the common good.” The primary goals of the meeting were to build an advocacy network across scholarly disciplines and civil society groups; collaborate on and discuss research and policy efforts relating to the development, use, and regulation of biotechnologies; and promote organization, outreach, and communication abilities. Among the topics addressed at the meeting were genetic testing and personalized medicine, assisted reproductive technologies and practices, race and genetics, DNA forensics, human genetic modification, and synthetic biology. The meeting generated a report entitled , 2010–2012.
''Talking Biopolitics''
Since 2012, CGS has produced the live web-based interview series , in which writers, scholars, and activists discuss critical biopolitical issues. Selected speakers have included:
Marcy Darnovsky and Alexandra Minna Stern, Wall Street Journal, June 12, 2013.
Marcy Darnovsky and Karuna Jaggar, Los Angeles Times, April 12, 2013.
Osagie K. Obasogie and Troy Duster, Hastings Center Report, October 12, 2011.
Francine Coeytaux, Marcy Danovsky, Susan Berke Fogel, Contraception, January 2011.
Osagie K. Obasogie, Los Angeles Times, April 9, 2010.
Richard Hayes, Washington Post, April 15, 2008.
Funding
CGS is a project of the Tides Center, a 5013 organization funded by individual contributions and philanthropic foundations. CGS receives support from private donors and from foundations and trusts including the Appleton Foundation; Lyman B. Brainerd, Jr. Family Foundation; and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
