BIOETHICS

The First Scientist to “Play God” Was Not Craig Venter

Critics of synthetic biology who fear that scientists are overstepping boundaries should have raised their objections in the 19th century.

OCEANS

Shell Survivors

Pollution in coastal waters around the country has damaged shellfish habitats for decades, but promising restoration programs can preserve the tiny bivalves that are crucial to healthy waters along our shorelines.

Bioethical Marching Orders

President Obama wasted no time sending a letter to Amy Gutmann, chair of the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, requesting a report on how the administration can support the growth and appropriate governance of synthetic biology. The [...]

GENOMICS

Synthetic Biology Grows Up

The emerging technology is cause for celebration but risks overreaction that could inhibit innovation.

INNOVATION

Re-Thinking Innovation

For the networks of scholars who study innovation to fully understand the process, they must examine innovation in a networked world.

FDA Intervention Shelves Plan for Drugstore Genome Tests

Earlier this week, Pathway Genomics was poised to begin selling its Insight genetic test kit at 6,000 Walgreens pharmacies nationwide, but then the Food and Drug Administration put its foot down. On May 10, just after Walgreens and Pathway made [...]

FOOD SAFETY

To Our Health!

Deficiencies in the regulation of the American food supply constitute the most serious and persistent gap in American consumer protection. Congress must seize the opportunity to fix the problem.

SCIENCE EDUCATION

We Invest in Research, But What About Teaching?

The structural incentives of the academy are in general stacked in favor of research and against high-quality science teaching.

BIOETHICS

Problem Solvers

A welcome focus on pragmatism over philosophizing adds new challenges the commission’s task to move ideas move from recommendation to implementation.

OCEANS

Ecosystems In the Age of Cassandra

If environmental research cannot inform policy decisions in a timely manner, scientists will simply be documenting the death of planet Earth.

COMPETITIVENESS

America Should Compete for Women Scientists

For American science to remain competitive, the reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act should support universities and federal agencies working to provide a baseline of family responsive policies for grad students, postdocs, and faculty.