@geneticsandsociety.bsky.social
Nucleus Genomics recently plastered the New York City subway with ads urging prospective parents to “pick your best baby” using their $30,000 polygenic embryo screening service, which they call “IVF+.”
‘Have your best baby!’: The genetics company promoting smart, tall babies
Nucleus Genomics, which has plastered the claim ‘height is 80 per cent genetic’ over the New York subway, has been accused of a misuse of science
www.thetimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Nucleus Genomics recently plastered the New York City subway with ads urging prospective parents to “pick your best baby” using their $30,000 polygenic embryo screening service, which they call “IVF+.”
Speaker of the House and anti-abortion Republican Mike Johnson worked behind the scenes to remove a provision that would have provided IVF coverage for active-duty members of the military from a defense policy bill. The House then passed the bill without the provision.
Mike Johnson strips military IVF coverage from defense bill – report
House speaker worked behind the scenes to strip provision after it was added as an amendment earlier this year
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Speaker of the House and anti-abortion Republican Mike Johnson worked behind the scenes to remove a provision that would have provided IVF coverage for active-duty members of the military from a defense policy bill. The House then passed the bill without the provision.
In an interview, CGS’ Katie Hasson explains that allowing heritable genome editing risks “acceptance of the idea that certain children are genetically superior to others" -- even if untrue. That idea "can be harmful in society... we’ve seen that in the history of eugenics.”
Tech titans lean into gene editing of embryos | The Dip Podcast
A new company called Preventive says it has secured $30 million to study how to safely create genetically edited babies. The research focuses on genome editing, in which the DNA of embryos would be modified. The proponents involved say it would prevent disease. But critics say there are doubts about
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
In an interview, CGS’ Katie Hasson explains that allowing heritable genome editing risks “acceptance of the idea that certain children are genetically superior to others" -- even if untrue. That idea "can be harmful in society... we’ve seen that in the history of eugenics.”
A Wall Street Journal investigation revealed a “thriving mini-industry” within the US surrogacy industry. Agencies cater to Chinese elites and billionaires, who will pay millions in surrogacy fees to have large numbers of U.S.-born babies. 1/3
www.wsj.com/us-news/...
www.wsj.com/us-news/...
December 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
A Wall Street Journal investigation revealed a “thriving mini-industry” within the US surrogacy industry. Agencies cater to Chinese elites and billionaires, who will pay millions in surrogacy fees to have large numbers of U.S.-born babies. 1/3
www.wsj.com/us-news/...
www.wsj.com/us-news/...
Silicon Valley startups want to use genetic engineering to make “current economic elites into a future biological elite," says CGS’ Katie Hasson. The goal of making “‘better’ or ‘perfect’ babies” at the heart of “soft eugenics” persists in the “new techno-eugenics.”
Bay Area Startups Want to Make Genetically Engineered Babies. What Could Go Wrong? | KQED
We’ll talk to experts about how innovations in genetic engineering are being directed what is at stake.
www.kqed.org
December 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Silicon Valley startups want to use genetic engineering to make “current economic elites into a future biological elite," says CGS’ Katie Hasson. The goal of making “‘better’ or ‘perfect’ babies” at the heart of “soft eugenics” persists in the “new techno-eugenics.”
A toddler in the UK with the rare genetic condition Hunter syndrome was the first person to receive a new one-time gene therapy that, so far, appears to halt progression of the condition.
Gene therapy for Hunter syndrome shows clinical success | PET
A UK toddler with a rare genetic condition was the first person to receive a new gene therapy that appears to halt disease progression...
www.progress.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
A toddler in the UK with the rare genetic condition Hunter syndrome was the first person to receive a new one-time gene therapy that, so far, appears to halt progression of the condition.
Thai women recruited to be surrogates in Georgia had their passports taken and were stuck in rundown hotels, where they faced abuse and unknown medical procedures that caused pain and bleeding. 1/2
December 17, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Thai women recruited to be surrogates in Georgia had their passports taken and were stuck in rundown hotels, where they faced abuse and unknown medical procedures that caused pain and bleeding. 1/2
Although male infertility accounts for 50% of all infertility cases, it is often left untreated in the UK due to a lack of understanding among healthcare providers, few specialists, and limited testing. Without testing and diagnosis, many couples needlessly go through IVF.
Failure to diagnose treatable male infertility leading to unnecessary IVF, experts say
Men represent 50% of all infertility cases but poor understanding among GPs means it is often untreated
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Although male infertility accounts for 50% of all infertility cases, it is often left untreated in the UK due to a lack of understanding among healthcare providers, few specialists, and limited testing. Without testing and diagnosis, many couples needlessly go through IVF.
In Honduras, the charter city Próspera has lax regulations to attract biotech developers testing experimental treatments that the FDA would probably reject. Two biotechs are testing anti-aging gene therapies there, despite scientists’ skepticism about anti-aging ventures.
In a Honduran city, biotechs create gene therapy cocktails to fight aging - Pharmaceutical Technology
Biotechs in the charter city of Próspera aim to cure ageing, but experts question the feasibility of their goals.
www.pharmaceutical-technology.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
In Honduras, the charter city Próspera has lax regulations to attract biotech developers testing experimental treatments that the FDA would probably reject. Two biotechs are testing anti-aging gene therapies there, despite scientists’ skepticism about anti-aging ventures.
World War II delegitimized eugenics and other overtly racist belief systems in science and politics, but racism continued to thrive in a new form. Cultural racism, including anti-immigrant sentiments and policies, cloaked racism in concerns about national identity.
Racism never went away – it simply changed shape
When the language of racism lost scientific legitimacy, it changed shape and began targeting cultures instead.
theconversation.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:36 PM
World War II delegitimized eugenics and other overtly racist belief systems in science and politics, but racism continued to thrive in a new form. Cultural racism, including anti-immigrant sentiments and policies, cloaked racism in concerns about national identity.
A study tested “disease-agnostic” gene therapy in human cell models for four diseases, including cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs. 1/2
December 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM
A study tested “disease-agnostic” gene therapy in human cell models for four diseases, including cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs. 1/2
In the final post of a four-part series, Stephanie Meredith explains how leaders in the pronatalist movement resemble early 20th century eugenicists in their attempts to cut funding for Medicaid and other programs that support people with disabilities.
The Rebirth of Eugenics: Tech Bros and Pronatalism - Gene Cuisine: satisfying your appetite for genetic news and information
Part 4: Snipping Away “The Unfit” Read on for the final part of our series tracking the rise of the pronatalism movement in Silicon Valley, the threads of eugenics woven into the fabric of that movement, and the snags of humanity that may yet unravel a carefully stitched path toward a dystopian future. For early parts, see: Part 1, Part…
blog.geneticsupportfoundation.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:40 PM
In the final post of a four-part series, Stephanie Meredith explains how leaders in the pronatalist movement resemble early 20th century eugenicists in their attempts to cut funding for Medicaid and other programs that support people with disabilities.
Newly passed legislation in Western Australia will allow same-sex couples, single people, transgender and intersex people to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) and surrogacy, almost a decade after reforms were first promised.
WA's surrogacy, IVF laws overhauled as legislation passes parliament
Same-sex couples, single people, transgender and intersex West Australians will be able to access assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy, almost a decade after reforms were first promised.
www.abc.net.au
December 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Newly passed legislation in Western Australia will allow same-sex couples, single people, transgender and intersex people to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) and surrogacy, almost a decade after reforms were first promised.
Challenging the pronatalist promotion of selecting “intelligent” babies and avoiding disabilities, Stephanie Meredith asks, “Do we want to value our children because they exist as the cogs in a machine lurching toward a utilitarian future or because they exist as humans?”
The Rebirth of Eugenics: Tech Bros and Pronatalism - Gene Cuisine: satisfying your appetite for genetic news and information
Part 3: Stitching the Values of Our Future Follow this upcoming series of blog posts to track the rise of the pronatalism movement in Silicon Valley, the threads of eugenics woven into the fabric of that movement, and the snags of humanity that may yet unravel a carefully stitched path toward a dystopian future. As a disability rights advocate, a…
blog.geneticsupportfoundation.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Challenging the pronatalist promotion of selecting “intelligent” babies and avoiding disabilities, Stephanie Meredith asks, “Do we want to value our children because they exist as the cogs in a machine lurching toward a utilitarian future or because they exist as humans?”
The FDA will give employees AI tools to use in premarket reviews, post-market inspections and compliance, and for other tasks despite the evidence that AI technology behaves unpredictably and “hallucinates” false information.
FDA offers staff 'agentic AI' to support premarket reviews, administrative tasks
The FDA is offering staff a broad set of agentic AI tools despite concerns that the technology can behave unpredictably
www.statnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The FDA will give employees AI tools to use in premarket reviews, post-market inspections and compliance, and for other tasks despite the evidence that AI technology behaves unpredictably and “hallucinates” false information.
So far, experimental gene therapies for children with severe combined immunodeficiency or “bubble boy disease” have restored the immune systems of over 50 children. Further trials are underway to assess the potential of gene therapies for other SCID subtypes.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/w...
She Was Born Without an Immune System. Gene Therapy Saved Her Life.
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:53 PM
So far, experimental gene therapies for children with severe combined immunodeficiency or “bubble boy disease” have restored the immune systems of over 50 children. Further trials are underway to assess the potential of gene therapies for other SCID subtypes.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/w...
Challenging pronatalist promotion of selecting “intelligent” babies and avoiding disabilities, Stephanie Meredith asks whether children should be valued as "cogs in a machine lurching toward a utilitarian future" or "because they exist as humans?” blog.geneticsupportfoundation.org/index.php/20...
The Rebirth of Eugenics: Tech Bros and Pronatalism - Gene Cuisine: satisfying your appetite for genetic news and information
Part 3: Stitching the Values of Our Future Follow this upcoming series of blog posts to track the rise of the pronatalism movement in Silicon Valley, the threads of eugenics woven into the fabric of t...
blog.geneticsupportfoundation.org
December 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Challenging pronatalist promotion of selecting “intelligent” babies and avoiding disabilities, Stephanie Meredith asks whether children should be valued as "cogs in a machine lurching toward a utilitarian future" or "because they exist as humans?” blog.geneticsupportfoundation.org/index.php/20...
When it comes to genetic engineering of children, the biggest risk in terms of inequality isn’t access, says CGS’ Katie Hasson. 1/2
December 10, 2025 at 9:53 PM
When it comes to genetic engineering of children, the biggest risk in terms of inequality isn’t access, says CGS’ Katie Hasson. 1/2
In the second post of a four-part series, Stephanie Meredith explains how progressives and conservatives challenge the pronatalist vision of the future, “where the ‘best and brightest’ are selected on the basis of their genetic characteristics.”
The Rebirth of Eugenics: Tech Bros and Pronatalism - Gene Cuisine: satisfying your appetite for genetic news and information
Part 2: Weaving Together Unlikely Allies in Defense of Good Parenting Follow this upcoming series of blog posts to track the rise of the pronatalism movement in Silicon Valley, the threads of eugenics woven into the fabric of that movement, and the snags of humanity that may yet unravel a carefully stitched path toward a dystopian future. While the pronatalism…
blog.geneticsupportfoundation.org
December 10, 2025 at 6:19 PM
In the second post of a four-part series, Stephanie Meredith explains how progressives and conservatives challenge the pronatalist vision of the future, “where the ‘best and brightest’ are selected on the basis of their genetic characteristics.”
In the first post of a four-part series, Stephanie Meredith tracks the pronatalist movement’s conservative politics and popularity in Silicon Valley — and its echoes of early 20th century eugenic ideas.
The Rebirth of Eugenics: Tech Bros and Pronatalism - Gene Cuisine: satisfying your appetite for genetic news and information
Part 1: The Threads of 20th Century Eugenics Interwoven with Modern Pronatalism Follow this upcoming series of blog posts to track the rise of the pronatalism movement in Silicon Valley, the threads of eugenics woven into the fabric of that movement, and the snags of humanity that may yet unravel a carefully stitched path toward a dystopian future. At the…
blog.geneticsupportfoundation.org
December 9, 2025 at 10:45 PM
In the first post of a four-part series, Stephanie Meredith tracks the pronatalist movement’s conservative politics and popularity in Silicon Valley — and its echoes of early 20th century eugenic ideas.
We’re so grateful for your support, which fuels our work to confront resurgent eugenics and the misuse of experimental reproductive and genetic technologies. If you missed #GivingTuesday yesterday, there’s still time to donate to CGS today!
center-for-genetics-...
center-for-genetics-...
December 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
We’re so grateful for your support, which fuels our work to confront resurgent eugenics and the misuse of experimental reproductive and genetic technologies. If you missed #GivingTuesday yesterday, there’s still time to donate to CGS today!
center-for-genetics-...
center-for-genetics-...
Silicon Valley titans are funneling millions into startups trying to genetically engineer humanity. They envision a future in which the economic elite become the biological elite. 1/2
At this pivotal moment, your support is critical.
At this pivotal moment, your support is critical.
December 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Silicon Valley titans are funneling millions into startups trying to genetically engineer humanity. They envision a future in which the economic elite become the biological elite. 1/2
At this pivotal moment, your support is critical.
At this pivotal moment, your support is critical.
The Trump administration’s revival of the “public charge” standard directs immigration officers to deny visas to people with disabilities, chronic illnesses and age-related conditions—echoing the exclusionary policies of the early 20th century.
A Century After the Eugenics Movement, the U.S. Is Again Barring Disabled Immigrants
Trump and Rubio's “public charge” standard denies visas to people with disabilities, chronic illnesses and age-related conditions. Eugenics, anyone?
msmagazine.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The Trump administration’s revival of the “public charge” standard directs immigration officers to deny visas to people with disabilities, chronic illnesses and age-related conditions—echoing the exclusionary policies of the early 20th century.
CGS is leading the way in confronting resurgent eugenics and the misuse of experimental reproductive and genetic technologies. Help power our work this #GivingTuesday!
center-for-genetics-...
center-for-genetics-...
December 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM
CGS is leading the way in confronting resurgent eugenics and the misuse of experimental reproductive and genetic technologies. Help power our work this #GivingTuesday!
center-for-genetics-...
center-for-genetics-...
James Watson, a scientist famous for ground-breaking work on DNA and notorious for expressing his antediluvian opinions, died on November 6, at the age of 97.
The cumulative controversies resurfaced by Watson’s death may destroy what is left of his scientific reputation.
The cumulative controversies resurfaced by Watson’s death may destroy what is left of his scientific reputation.
November 28, 2025 at 10:59 PM
James Watson, a scientist famous for ground-breaking work on DNA and notorious for expressing his antediluvian opinions, died on November 6, at the age of 97.
The cumulative controversies resurfaced by Watson’s death may destroy what is left of his scientific reputation.
The cumulative controversies resurfaced by Watson’s death may destroy what is left of his scientific reputation.