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{{More citations needed|date=June 2019}}


The '''Council for Responsible Genetics''' (CRG) is a [[nonprofit]] [[NGO]] with a focus on [[biotechnology]].
The '''Council for Responsible Genetics''' (CRG) was a [[nonprofit]] [[NGO]] with a focus on [[biotechnology]].


== History ==
== History ==
⚫
The Council for Responsible Genetics was founded in 1983 in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]].


{{Infobox organization
⚫
The Council for Responsible Genetics was founded in 1983 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| name = Council for Responsible Genetics
| abbreviation = CRG
| formation = 1983
| founding_location = [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]
| type = [[non profit]]
| purpose = [[biotechnology]]
}}


An early voice concerned about the social and ethical implications of <!-- Would it be OR to say "favoring limiting", given that there's never been any evidence (as far as I'm aware) of their favoring (the use of) modern genetic technologies? --> modern genetic technologies, CRG organized a 1985 Congressional Briefing and a 1986 panel of the [[American Association for the Advancement of Science]], both focusing on the potential dangers of genetically engineered biological weapons.<ref name="CRG website">{{cite web | title = Council for Responsible Genetics | url = http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/ | accessdate = 2009-05-29 }}</ref> [[Francis Boyle]] was asked to draft legislation setting limits on the use of genetic engineering, leading to the [[Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989]].<ref name="US Bioweapons Break Laws">{{cite web | title = Broadening Our Perspective | url = http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/AOPof911p06.html | accessdate = 2009-05-30 }}</ref>
An early voice concerned about the social and ethical implications of <!-- Would it be OR to say "favoring limiting", given that there's never been any evidence (as far as I'm aware) of their favoring (the use of) modern genetic technologies? --> modern genetic technologies, CRG organized a 1985 Congressional Briefing and a 1986 panel of the [[American Association for the Advancement of Science]], both focusing on the potential dangers of genetically engineered biological weapons.<ref name="CRG website">{{cite web | title = Council for Responsible Genetics | url = http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/ | website = Councilforresponsiblegenetics.org | accessdate = 2009-05-29 | archive-date = 2009-06-19 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090619101708/http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> [[Francis Boyle]] was asked to draft legislation setting limits on the use of genetic engineering, leading to the [[Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989]].<ref name="US Bioweapons Break Laws">{{cite web | title = Broadening Our Perspective | url = http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/AOPof911p06.html |website=Ratical.org| accessdate = 2009-05-30 }}</ref>


CRG was the first organization to compile documented cases of [[genetic discrimination]], laying the intellectual groundwork for the [[Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act]] of 2008 (GINA).<ref name="CRG website"/>
CRG was the first organization to advance a comprehensive, scientifically based position against [[human germline engineering]].<ref>{{Cite journal| title=Position Paper on Human Germ Line Manipulation Presented by Council for Responsible Genetics, Human Genetics Committee Fall, 1992|journal=Human Gene Therapy|volume=4|pages=35–37|year=1993|issue=1|doi=10.1089/hum.1993.4.1-35|pmid=8461382}}</ref> It was also the first to compile documented cases of [[genetic discrimination]], laying the intellectual groundwork for the [[Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act]] of 2008 (GINA).<ref name="CRG website"/>


The organization created both a Genetic Bill of Rights and a Citizen's Guide to Genetically Modified Food. Also notable are CRG's support for the "Safe Seeds Campaign" (for avoiding [[gene flow]] from [[genetically engineered]] to non-GE seed) and the organization of a US conference on Forensic DNA Databanks and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System.<ref name="CRG website"/> In 2010 CRG led a successful campaign to roll back a controversial student genetic testing program at the [[University of California, Berkeley]].<ref>http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-12/uc-berkeley-backs-off-gene-test-program-for-students-blocked-by-state.html/</ref> In 2011, CRG led a campaign to successfully enact [CalGINA] in California, which extended genetic privacy and nondiscrimination protections to life, disability and long term care insurance, mortgages, lending and other areas.
The organization created both a Genetic Bill of Rights and a Citizen's Guide to Genetically Modified Food. Also notable are CRG's support for the "Safe Seeds Campaign" (for avoiding [[gene flow]] from [[genetically engineered]] to non-GE seed) and the organization of a US conference on Forensic DNA Databanks and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System.<ref name="CRG website"/> In 2010 CRG led a successful campaign to roll back a controversial student [[genetic testing]] program at the [[University of California, Berkeley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-08-12/uc-berkeley-backs-off-gene-test-program-for-students-blocked-by-state|title=UC Berkeley Backs Off Gene-Test Program for Students|date=25 June 2019|accessdate=25 June 2019|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> In 2011, CRG led a campaign to successfully enact [CalGINA] in California, which extended [[genetic privacy]] and nondiscrimination protections to life, disability and long term care insurance, mortgages, lending and other areas.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}


CRG has issued five anthologies of commentaries:
CRG issued five anthologies of commentaries:
* ''Rights and Liberties in the Biotech Age'' edited by [[Sheldon Krimsky]] and Peter Shorett<ref name="CRG website" />
* ''Rights and Liberties in the Biotech Age'' edited by [[Sheldon Krimsky]] and Peter Shorett<ref name="CRG website" />
* ''Race and the Genetic Revolution: Science, Myth and Culture''<ref name="CRG website" />
* ''Race and the Genetic Revolution: Science, Myth and Culture''<ref name="CRG website" />
Line 20: Line 28:
* ''The GMO Deception'' edited by Krimsky and Gruber<ref name="CRG website" />
* ''The GMO Deception'' edited by Krimsky and Gruber<ref name="CRG website" />
* Principles and projects
* Principles and projects
CRG "fosters public debate about the social, ethical and environmental implications of genetic technologies." They list three central [[principles]]:<ref name="CRG website">{{cite web | title = Council for Responsible Genetics | url = http://www.gene-watch.org/ | publisher = Council for Responsible Genetics | accessdate = 2008-09-11 }}</ref>
CRG "fosters public debate about the social, ethical and environmental implications of genetic technologies." They list three central [[principles]]:<ref name="CRG website"/>


*The public must have access to clear and understandable information on technological innovations.
*The public must have access to clear and understandable information on technological innovations.
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|-
! '''Current Projects''' !! '''Description'''
! '''Notable Projects''' !! '''Description'''
|-
|-
| Genetic Bill of Rights || a set of guidelines to aid in the understanding of CRG's viewpoint on the ethical, legal, social, and environmental implications of biotechnology, meant to foster discussion on the values CRG feels are at risk due to advancing genetic technologies
| Genetic Bill of Rights || a set of guidelines to aid in the understanding of CRG's viewpoint on the ethical, legal, social, and environmental implications of biotechnology, meant to foster discussion on the values CRG feels are at risk due to advancing genetic technologies
Line 63: Line 71:
|}
|}


The pioneering contributions of CRG to public interest initiatives concerned with appropriate use of biotechnologies are recounted in the book ''Biotech Juggernaut: Hope, Hype, and Hidden Agendas of Entrepreneurial Bioscience'' (Routledge, 2019).
⚫
== GeneWatch ==


⚫
== ''GeneWatch'' ==
⚫
The CRG publishes ''[http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/GeneWatch/GeneWatchBrowser.aspx?archive=yes&volumeId=25 GeneWatch]'', America's first and (according to CRG in 2009) only magazine dedicated to monitoring biotechnology's social, ethical and environmental consequences. The publication covers a broad spectrum of issues, from [[genetically modified food]] to [[biological weapon]]s, genetic [[privacy]] and discrimination, [[reproductive technology]], and [[human cloning]].<ref name="CRG website" /> The publication won the [[Utne (magazine)|Utne]] Independent Press Award for General Excellence in the category of newsletters in 2006.<ref name="Utne">{{cite web| title = Winner of the Utne Independent Press Award for General Excellence: Newsletters | url = http://www.utne.com/2007-01-01/GeneralExcellencenewsletters.aspx | publisher = Utne Reader | date = January 2007 | accessdate = 2008-09-11 }}</ref>
{{Redirect|GeneWatch|the not-for-profit policy research and public interest group|GeneWatch UK}}

⚫
The CRG publishes ''Genewatch'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/GeneWatch/GeneWatchBrowser.aspx?archive=yes&volumeId=25 |title=GeneWatch |access-date=2012-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905234728/http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/GeneWatch/GeneWatchBrowser.aspx?archive=yes&volumeId=25 |archive-date=2012-09-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> America's first and (according to CRG in 2009) only magazine dedicated to monitoring biotechnology's social, ethical and environmental consequences. The publication covers a broad spectrum of issues, from [[genetically modified food]] to [[biological weapon]]s, genetic [[privacy]] and discrimination, [[reproductive technology]], and [[human cloning]].<ref name="CRG website" /> Established in 1983,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dl.tufts.edu/catalog/tufts:RCR01007 |title=Council for Responsible Genetics |website=Tufts Digital Library |language=en |access-date=2018-09-17}}</ref> the publication won the [[Utne (magazine)|Utne]] Independent Press Award for General Excellence in the category of newsletters in 2006.<ref name="Utne">{{cite web| title = Winner of the Utne Independent Press Award for General Excellence: Newsletters | url = http://www.utne.com/2007-01-01/GeneralExcellencenewsletters.aspx | publisher = Utne Reader | date = January 2007 | accessdate = 2008-09-11 }}</ref>
== People ==

;Staff<ref name="CRG website" />
*Sam Anderson, Editor of GeneWatch
*[[Jeremy Gruber]], President and Executive Director
*Sheila Sinclair, Operations and Projects Manager
*Kathleen Sloan, CRG Conference Coordinator
*Andrew D. Thibedeau, JD, Senior Fellow

;Board of directors<ref name="CRG website" />
*[[Sheldon Krimsky]], PhD - Chair
*[[Jeremy Gruber]], JD - President and Executive Director
*[[Paul Billings]], MD, PhD, FACP, FACMG - Vice Chair
*Peter Shorett - Treasurer
*[http://www.psych.mcgill.ca/faculty/balaban.htm Evan Balaban], PhD
*[[Sujatha Byravan]], PhD
*Robert DeSalle, PhD
*[[Robert C. Green]], MD, MPH
*[http://anthropology.as.nyu.edu/object/raynarapp.html Rayna Rapp], PhD
*[[Patricia J. Williams]], JD

;Former board members:<ref>http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/Help/Directors.aspx</ref>
*[[Francis Boyle]], JD, AM, PhD - former board member<ref>[http://www.law.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/FrancisBoyle "Francis Boyle"], University of Illinois, Accessed June 16, 2009.</ref>
*[[Ruth Hubbard]] - former board member
*[[Claire Nader]] - former board member and chair
*[[Richard Lewontin]] - former board member
*[[George Annas]], JD, MPH - former board member
*[[Tania Simoncelli]] - former board member
*[[Lola Vollen]], MD, MPH - former board member
Philip L. Bereano, co-founder and former board member


== Funding ==
== Funding ==
⚫
A major source of CRG's funding is the [[Ford Foundation]], which provided $420,000 in grants during 2005-2007.<ref>{{cite web | title = Grant Search Results | url = http://www.fordfound.org/grants/database/searchresults?keywords=Council+for+Responsible+Genetics | publisher = Ford Foundation | accessdate = 2008-09-11 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

⚫
A major source of CRG's funding is the [[Ford Foundation]], which provided $420,000 in grants during 2005-2007.<ref>{{cite web|title = Grant Search Results | url = http://www.fordfound.org/grants/database/searchresults?keywords=Council+for+Responsible+Genetics | publisher = Ford Foundation | accessdate = 2008-09-11 }}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 107: Line 85:


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{official website|http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/}}
* {{official website|http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/}}

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Council For Responsible Genetics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Council For Responsible Genetics}}
[[Category:Appropriate technology organizations]]
[[Category:Appropriate technology organizations]]
[[Category:Nonprofit organizations based in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Medical and health organizations based in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Nongovernmental organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Biotechnology organizations]]
[[Category:Genetics organizations]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1983]]

Latest revision as of 04:43, 25 December 2023

The Council for Responsible Genetics (CRG) was a nonprofit NGO with a focus on biotechnology.

History[edit]

The Council for Responsible Genetics was founded in 1983 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Council for Responsible Genetics
AbbreviationCRG
Formation1983
Founded atCambridge, Massachusetts
Typenon profit
Purposebiotechnology

An early voice concerned about the social and ethical implications of modern genetic technologies, CRG organized a 1985 Congressional Briefing and a 1986 panel of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, both focusing on the potential dangers of genetically engineered biological weapons.[1] Francis Boyle was asked to draft legislation setting limits on the use of genetic engineering, leading to the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989.[2]

CRG was the first organization to advance a comprehensive, scientifically based position against human germline engineering.[3] It was also the first to compile documented cases of genetic discrimination, laying the intellectual groundwork for the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA).[1]

The organization created both a Genetic Bill of Rights and a Citizen's Guide to Genetically Modified Food. Also notable are CRG's support for the "Safe Seeds Campaign" (for avoiding gene flow from genetically engineered to non-GE seed) and the organization of a US conference on Forensic DNA Databanks and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System.[1] In 2010 CRG led a successful campaign to roll back a controversial student genetic testing program at the University of California, Berkeley.[4] In 2011, CRG led a campaign to successfully enact [CalGINA] in California, which extended genetic privacy and nondiscrimination protections to life, disability and long term care insurance, mortgages, lending and other areas.[citation needed]

CRG issued five anthologies of commentaries:

  • Rights and Liberties in the Biotech Age edited by Sheldon Krimsky and Peter Shorett[1]
  • Race and the Genetic Revolution: Science, Myth and Culture[1]
  • Genetic Explanations: Sense and Nonsense edited by Krimsky and Jeremy Gruber[1]
  • Biotechnology in our Lives edited by Krimsky and Gruber[1]
  • The GMO Deception edited by Krimsky and Gruber[1]
  • Principles and projects

CRG "fosters public debate about the social, ethical and environmental implications of genetic technologies." They list three central principles:[1]

  • The public must have access to clear and understandable information on technological innovations.
  • The public must be able to participate in public and private decision making concerning technological developments and their implementation.
  • New technologies must meet social needs. Problems rooted in poverty, racism, and other forms of inequality, according to CRG, cannot be remedied by technology alone.
Selected Issues
Cloning and Human Genetic Manipulation
Women and Biotechnology
Genetic Testing, Privacy and Discrimination
Biotechnology and Agriculture
Biowarfare
Genetic determinism

In 2007, CRG hosted a retreat to refresh the mission statement and determine goals for the future of the organization. The outcome was that CRG should:

  • Explore and document developments in biotechnology through a holistic approach that considers science within a social, cultural, ethical, and environmental context.[who said this?]
  • Serve as a global knowledge resource, providing information and education about the potential impact of new and emerging biotechnologies.[who said this?]
  • Develop concrete policy solutions to address what CRG feels are emerging issues in biotechnology.[who said this?]
  • Mobilize and collaborate with scientists and other organizations to inform the public and promote democratic control of science.[who said this?]
  • Expose what CRG views as over-simplified and distorted claims regarding the role of genetics in human disease, development and behavior.[who said this?]
Notable Projects Description
Genetic Bill of Rights a set of guidelines to aid in the understanding of CRG's viewpoint on the ethical, legal, social, and environmental implications of biotechnology, meant to foster discussion on the values CRG feels are at risk due to advancing genetic technologies
Race and Genetics a project including briefing papers and community workshops on various areas where race and genetics intersect, such as racialized medicine, race in science, and racial profiling in DNA databases
Gene Myths a series of articles disputing what CRG feels are exaggerated and misrepresented ideas about the power of genetic technologies
Forensic DNA a discussion on the use and regulation of forensic DNA databases with concern for privacy and civil rights

The pioneering contributions of CRG to public interest initiatives concerned with appropriate use of biotechnologies are recounted in the book Biotech Juggernaut: Hope, Hype, and Hidden Agendas of Entrepreneurial Bioscience (Routledge, 2019).

GeneWatch[edit]

"GeneWatch" redirects here. For the not-for-profit policy research and public interest group, see GeneWatch UK.

The CRG publishes Genewatch,[5] America's first and (according to CRG in 2009) only magazine dedicated to monitoring biotechnology's social, ethical and environmental consequences. The publication covers a broad spectrum of issues, from genetically modified food to biological weapons, genetic privacy and discrimination, reproductive technology, and human cloning.[1] Established in 1983,[6] the publication won the Utne Independent Press Award for General Excellence in the category of newsletters in 2006.[7]

Funding[edit]

A major source of CRG's funding is the Ford Foundation, which provided $420,000 in grants during 2005-2007.[8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Council for Responsible Genetics". Councilforresponsiblegenetics.org. Archived from the original on 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  2. ^ "Broadening Our Perspective". Ratical.org. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  3. ^ "Position Paper on Human Germ Line Manipulation Presented by Council for Responsible Genetics, Human Genetics Committee Fall, 1992". Human Gene Therapy. 4 (1): 35–37. 1993. doi:10.1089/hum.1993.4.1-35. PMID 8461382.
  4. ^ "UC Berkeley Backs Off Gene-Test Program for Students". Bloomberg.com. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  5. ^ "GeneWatch". Archived from the original on 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  6. ^ "Council for Responsible Genetics". Tufts Digital Library. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  7. ^ "Winner of the Utne Independent Press Award for General Excellence: Newsletters". Utne Reader. January 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  8. ^ "Grant Search Results". Ford Foundation. Retrieved 2008-09-11.[permanent dead link]

External links[edit]

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