Informing the Genetically Engineered Crop Debate
National Research Council Report Maps a Path Forward
Why what you think you know about agricultural biotechnology may be wrong.
U.S. Stem Cell Ruling Invites Asian Competition
A ruling barring NIH funds from use in embryonic stem cell research will hurt American research efforts and send cutting-edge biotechnology jobs to Asia.
Thrown Back to the 90’s
The misguided human embryonic stem cell research ruling by a U.S. court would discontinue amazing gains made over the past 12 years in regenerative medicine.
A Win for Regional Innovation
On August 24th the Department of Energy Announced that a consortium of 90 organizations anchored at Penn State University will receive $129 million of to support energy efficiency innovation.
If You Can’t Win on the Science, Take ‘Em to Court
A poorly argued decision upends critical embryonic stem cell research funded by the National Institutes of Health.
New “Ice Island” a Sign of Things to Come
Scientists conclude that recent glacial calving of a giant ice island off the Greenland ice shelf is a clear symptom of a warming world.
Would You Take the New Alzheimer’s Test?
A new test can detect with great accuracy the development of Alzheimer's years before symptoms occur. Jonathan Moreno muses on the ethical and political implications of this new medical milestone.
Drug Regulation in all the Wrong Places
The FDA's myopic focus on early-stage testing and lack of emphasis on phase four human clinical trials has led to many safety-related drug recalls in recent years, meriting a reexamination of our regulatory system.
A Long-Lasting Peace Between Man and Fish
Paul Greenberg, author of the new book Four Fish: the Future of the Last Wild Food, discusses humanity's changing relationship with the oceans in this podcast interview and book review.
Distorting Science While Invoking Science
In their new book Merchants of Doubt, Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway document how the cast of characters peddling pseudo-science had been stunningly consistent over the years, from secondhand smoke skeptics to “Star Wars” missile defense proponents to modern climate science deniers.
One Small Step for Embryonic Stem Cells
The Food and Drug Administration approves the first clinical trial for embryonic stem cell treatment in patients with recent spinal cord injuries—creating a much needed regulatory pathway.
Science War Room Needed for BP Oil Catastrophe
The massive environmental damage requires a systematic approach to the analysis of public policy priorities and the costs BP must bear over the long term.
Jumpstarting Sustainable American Jobs
The federal government should partner with venture capitalists to help our nation’s innovative small businesses build the equity capital they need to grow and prosper in the United States.
Is it Time to Change the Model for Tissue Donation?
The idea of informed consent has grown up, and it’s time to rethink the reasoning behind the consent system for tissue donation, writes Jonathan Moreno.
The Promise and Dangers of Synthetic Biology
Public policy makers need to manage the risks and rewards of this promising new life sciences industry, particularly with an eye on the global context.
Defining the Boundaries of Genetic Testing
Ethics concerns arise about testing company 23andMe’s genetic data-gathering efforts prior to the publication of a key research paper by the company.
The Full Potential of University Research
A pilot initiative from the federal government could accelerate the great potential of breakthrough innovations arising from academic research.
Vision Renewed
A new study points to the possibility that retina cells can be derived from embryonic stem cells, but new regulatory procedures need to be in place to oversee the research going forward.
Clinical Trials and the Common Good
The true measure of a clinical trial’s worth is not whether it provides dying patients access to unproven medications, but rather, whether it produces a bountiful yield of knowledge that empowers future healthcare providers.
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.
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.
Synthetic Biology Grows Up
The emerging technology is cause for celebration but risks overreaction that could inhibit 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.
» Read earlier features in the issues archive
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From the Editors
And… We’re Back.
After almost three years on the project, our faithful managing editor Andrew Pratt has moved on to join Teach for America. We wish him the best. My name is Sean Pool, and I’ll be filling in as interim managing editor for the website. Here’s a recap of what we’ve been up to this summer.
Science Progress editor and Chief Jonathan Moreno has documented both small steps forward and potentially devastating setbacks in stem cell research, as Monday’s misguided injunction on NIH funding for research using existing embryonic stem cell lines followed just weeks after the FDA approved the first ever human clinical trial for a stem cell therapy. We’ve also spent some time this summer digging into fisheries, oceans, and climate science policy with a book review and podcast with the author of Four Fish, a guest post by the authors of Merchants of Doubt, and a piece by Brad Johnson on the need for a unified federal science response in the wake of the BP oil disaster. On the innovation front we had venture capitalists Thomas Gephart and Dan Loague explain the importance of equity financing to start-ups as they take their prototypes into full-fledged commercialization, and what the government can do to help. As well, Krisztina “Z” Holly talked about how to unlock innovation by harnessing the cutting-edge research taking place in our university system.
Please note that the “blog” portion of the site will remain on hiatus for the rest of August and possibly through September. But we will continue to bring you a handful of feature articles each week, as well as twitter and RSS feeds and an email newsletter (for those who subscribe).
We hope you enjoy the new and streamlined Science Progress.
