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Paving the Way for Personalized Medicine

Report from Michael Rugnetta and Whitney Kramer offers ways to integrate personalized medicine into our health care system.

A Life Sciences Crucible

Michael Rugnetta and Michael Peroski outline a plan for proceeding with stem cell research and innovation responsibly and ethically.

Genetic Non-Discrimination

Report addresses uncertainties that need consideration as genetic medicine gets increasingly personal and the Senate considers genetic non-discrimination legislation.

Other Bioethics & Science Features

November 10, 2009

Ask the Expert: Patching America's Leaky Pipeline in the Sciences

Mary Ann Mason talks about her new report on providing family leave policies to help keep women researchers in scientific fields. By Mary Ann Mason
November 10, 2009

Staying Competitive

Report from Marc Goulden, Karie Frasch, and Mary Ann Mason looks at what we can do about the lack of family responsible benefits for America's researchers. By Marc Goulden, Karie Frasch, Mary Ann Mason
October 20, 2009

New Tools for Old Traumas

Report from Sarah K. Dreier and William F. Schulz on using 21st century technologies to combat human rights atrocities. By Sarah Dreier, William F. Schulz
October 13, 2009

Ask the Expert: The Right Treatment for the Right Patient

Michael Rugnetta discusses what personalized medicine is, how it works, and how it can help make people healthier. By Michael Rugnetta
September 22, 2009

Innovation Clusters Create Competitive Communities

President Obama's call for a national innovation policy to spur sustainable economic growth and job creation contains an important new idea—community leadership is a critical component of our nation's economic strength that the federal government must actively cultivate. By Jonathan Sallet, Ed Paisley
July 20, 2009

Public Opinion Snapshot: Public Backs Funding for Scientific Research

Public support combined with the Obama administration’s commitment should ensure that scientific research will flourish for years to come. By Ruy Teixeira
July 10, 2009

Collins for Health

Jonathan Moreno applauds President Obama’s intended pick for NIH director: Dr. Francis Collins, a researcher and leader who embraces science and ethics. By Jonathan D. Moreno
July 6, 2009

Back to the Future

The National Institutes of Health released final guidelines today for federally funded stem cell research that will help put the United States back at the forefront of scientific research and innovation, writes Jonathan Moreno. By Jonathan D. Moreno
April 28, 2009

Slideshow: A Timeline of Federal Health Refusal Rules

This slideshow documents how health providers’ privileges have grown over time, but the Bush ruling pushes them to a frightening, new level.
April 28, 2009

Putting President Obama’s “Conscience” Proposal in Context

Bush’s sweeping midnight rule to allow health providers to deny care and information for almost any reason was a big step away from prior laws and ethical guidelines, write Jessica Arons and Sarah Dreier. By Jessica Arons, Sarah Dreier
April 28, 2009

Guidelines for Resolving Conflicts of Conscience

When moral questions arise in health care, these five principles can guide caregivers in providing patients with the care they need while allowing for personal ethics.
April 1, 2009

Science Next

An essential guide to science policy from Jonathan Moreno and Rick Weiss. By Jonathan D. Moreno, Rick Weiss
March 18, 2009

New Stem Cell Policy Founded on Ethics and Expertise

Predictably, President Obama has run into some political pushback on last week’s executive order. The complaints have arisen primarily over two issues, neither of which is substantial and both of which deserve to be countered. By Jonathan D. Moreno, Michael Rugnetta
March 9, 2009

Obama Lifts Stem Cell Restrictions

President Obama’s executive order undoing his predecessor’s ban on stem cell funding ensures the United States will live up to its potential in the field of regenerative medicine.
March 9, 2009

Lifting Restrictions on Stem Cell Research

Jonathan Moreno explains the significance of Barack Obama's lifting of restrictions on funding, and what the future might hold for stem cell research. By Jonathan D. Moreno
March 9, 2009

Eight Reasons to Applaud Action on Stem Cells

President Obama took an important step today by issuing an executive order that lifts the existing restriction on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
February 13, 2009

Science, Religion, and a Language for Public Policy

Experts at CAP event discuss the cultural history of Darwin's theory of evolution and its role in modern society.
February 12, 2009

Something Darwin Didn't Know

Darwin's commitment to weighing the facts, even when the topic was an emotional one, would serve competing advocates of science and religion well as the world celebrates the great naturalist's 200th birthday today and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his "On the Origin of Species." By Rick Weiss
February 12, 2009

Something Darwin Didn't Know

Rick Weiss in the Washington Post on Charles Darwin. By Rick Weiss
February 12, 2009

Darwin Day: A Celebration of Science, Not Conflict

D. Graham Burnett and Chris Mooney on untangling the cultural history of evolution.
February 9, 2009

The "Patent Pending" Problem

One million US patent applications are gathering dust today, waiting an average of three years to be examined and ruled upon. That's a problem because despite the widespread notion that patents are about greedy companies gaining monopoly rights, the patent system is primarily a tool of progressive policy making - of sharing information and advancing technology. By Rick Weiss
January 28, 2009

“Formestic” Policy Front and Center

The Obama administration’s domestic economic stimulus package is good foreign policy, writes Nina Hachigian. By Nina Hachigian
January 23, 2009

Stem Cell Science Takes an Ambitious Step Forward

The Geron Corporation announced Friday that it will begin Phase I clinical trials on an embryonic stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries. By Michael Rugnetta
January 16, 2009

Bringing Science Back to the Forefront

Panelists at CAP event discuss a new report on stem cells and how the new administration can move forward ethically while bringing American research back to the cutting edge.
December 19, 2008

Seven for Science: Now that’s Science Progress!

The seven science advisers Barack Obama has chosen are surely the most distinguished group of scientists at the highest levels of government in decades. By Jonathan D. Moreno
December 4, 2008

A Call for a New Federal Embryonic Stem Cell Research Agenda

It’s time for a new federal embryonic stem cell research agenda, says Rick Weiss. By Rick Weiss
November 10, 2008

Gene-altered animals and food safety

Perhaps you're still getting used to the idea that some of the meat, milk, and cheese you are eating may come from cloned cows or their offspring, a controversial culinary advance that the Food and Drug Administration green-lighted in January after deeming food from clones to be safe. Well, hurry up and swallow, because the next course is on its way. By Rick Weiss
October 21, 2008

Pressure Builds on Biomedical Research Funding

Rick Weiss on how the financial crisis has worsened the strain on biomedical research and what the next president and Congress can do about it. By Rick Weiss
August 11, 2008

Doping Difficulties: Definition and Detection Not Easy

The line between legal and illegal performance enhancement is unclear, and our ability to detect illegal enhancement is even shakier.
August 10, 2008

New possibilities for stem cell research

As America struggles with such weighty issues as the war in Iraq, the foundering economy and the run-up to a historic presidential election, it may be difficult to recall that seven years ago this month the most wrenching issue facing the nation was human embryonic stem cell research. By Rick Weiss, Jonathan D. Moreno
July 23, 2008

Using Neuropharmacology to Improve Interrogation Techniques

Calmatives agents are in theory an attractive approach not only for national security purposes but also for domestic policing. However, the time lag between the release of a substance and its effect on targeted individuals makes currently available opiates such as fentanyl poor candidates for such uses. It is not well understood, for instance, why the group holding the Moscow Theater hostages did not react when it became apparent that something was going on in the confines of the building, but perhaps they were so overcome with exhaustion that they did not register events quickly enough. Whatever the explanation, there is no assurance that future hostage-takers bent on suicide could be managed in this way. By Jonathan D. Moreno
July 21, 2008

Do You Want to Know What Your Genes Say?

Rick Weiss talks about the pros and cons of being able to send in a spit sample and find out what your medical future may hold. By Rick Weiss
July 20, 2008

What You Should Know Before You Spit Into That Test Tube

Rick Weiss talks about the dangers and benefits of genetic testing in the Washington Post. By Rick Weiss
July 16, 2008

What the Public Really Wants on Science

Polls show that the public is more than just excited about science—they overwhelmingly think that it can make our lives better and that scientists should have a larger role in public policy decisions. By Ruy Teixeira
July 9, 2008

Racial Profiling and Genetic Privacy

Report examines the question of how we reconcile our desire for excellent police work with maintaining criminal investigation protocols that respect the rights of citizens. By Michael Boylan
May 22, 2008

Manufacturing Uncertainty

Science Progress interviews David Michaels, author of a new book on industry's war on science, Doubt Is Their Product. By Andrew Plemmons Pratt
May 14, 2008

Ask the Expert: Congress Gives Stem Cells Another Shot

Jonathan Moreno talks about a why the new effort in Congress to lift the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is vital to move research forward. By Jonathan D. Moreno
April 14, 2008

This Week in Congress 4.14.08 - 4.18.08

CAP prepares you for genetic nondiscrimination, student loan legislation, infrastructure, and continued negotiations on the farm bill.
February 20, 2008

Fishy Government

A judicial rebuke to Bush's indefensible behavior on mercury pollution may mark the end of a sad era, writes Chris Mooney on Science Progress. By Chris Mooney
February 6, 2008

Science on the Campaign Trail (Or, the Lack Thereof)

Americans need to know the science and technology policy positions of the presidential candidates, argues Science Progress. By Chris Mooney
January 9, 2008

Science, Delayed

Chris Mooney at Science Progress says restoring the Office of Technology Assessment for Congress is more difficult than expected. By Chris Mooney
December 17, 2007

Parentage Determinations

December 17, 2007

Disposition of Frozen Embryos

December 17, 2007

Guide to State Surrogacy Laws

December 17, 2007

Future Choices: Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the Law

This report from Jessica Arons explores the symbiotic relationship between assisted reproductive technology and the law and implications for policy. By Jessica Arons
November 28, 2007

A National Innovation Agenda: Progressive Policies for Economic Growth and Opportunity Through Science and Technology

Part of Progressive Growth, this report outlines progressive policies for economic growth and opportunity through science and technology. By Thomas Kalil, John S. Irons
November 28, 2007

Progressive Growth

A new plan for the next administration to transform America's economy through clean energy, innovation, and opportunity. By John Podesta, Sarah Rosen Wartell, David Madland
November 26, 2007

Stem Celebration

The work of University of Wisconsin-Madison and Kyoto University scientists will jump start the field of regenerative medicine, writes Jonathan Moreno. By Jonathan D. Moreno

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CAP’s policy priorities for U.S. domestic policymaking center on building opportunities for all Americans to share in the American Dream. Our policy work concentrates on the core engines that drive equal opportunity and shared prosperity—education, health care, government oversight, poverty, women's rights. Our progressive domestic priorities underscore our commitment to government that works for the common good.