Top Features
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
January 28, 2009
“Formestic” Policy Front and Center
The Obama administration’s domestic economic stimulus package is good foreign policy, writes 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
January 9, 2008
Science, Delayed
Chris Mooney at Science Progress says restoring the Office of Technology Assessment for Congress is more difficult than expected.
December 17, 2007
Parentage Determinations
December 17, 2007
Insurance Coverage of Infertitlity Treatments
December 17, 2007
Disposition of Frozen Embryos
December 17, 2007
Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Glossary
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.
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.
November 28, 2007
Progressive Growth
A new plan for the next administration to transform America's economy through clean energy, innovation, and opportunity.
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.
October 16, 2007
Sex, Lies, and Embryos
October 15, 2007
Mo' News from MO: Stem Cells Surface Again
Opponents try to reverse the 2006 public mandate for stem cell research, but find there are a few kinks in their plan, writes Michael Rugnetta.
October 4, 2007
Science Progress, the Phrase and the Title
The Center for American Progress launches a new project, Science Progress, which includes a daily blog, heavy-hitting web-content, and coming soon, a print publication.
September 25, 2007
Jumping the Gun on Alternative Sources of Stem Cells
NIH’s new plan is overly optimistic about embryonic stem cell alternatives. All stem cells must move forward together to be most effective.
August 21, 2007
Faith in Science: Bush Displays Surprising Science Leadership
By signing the America COMPETES Act, the president shows he can occasionally be pro-science, writes Michael Rugnetta.
August 14, 2007
Missouri Compromised
Stem cell opponents’ attempts to block research is making Missouri known as anti-science—a classic case of cutting off the nose to spite the face.
August 9, 2007
States and Stems: More Problems in State Stem Cell Research
When it comes to supporting cutting-edge biomedical research, states are having trouble.
July 31, 2007
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