I want to alert you to a nascent movement originating here in
Berkeley opposed to “Techno-eugenics’" i.e. human germ-line engineering
with the intent of producing super-people, which presents some very
serious threats to the future of humanity, social equality and the
like.. The technology is movign forward quite quiickly, with little
public awareness.
list members may be interested in the new list described below.
Best,Michael H. Goldhaber
[log in to unmask] wrote:
> -------------------------------------------
>
> Welcome to the
>
> Techno-Eugenics Email List
>
> Number 1
>
> September 10, 1999
>
> -------------------------------------------
>
> WELCOME TO TEEL
>
> This is the first edition of the Techno-Eugenics Email List.
> As far as we know, it's the only list focused on the politics
> of the new human genetic and reproductive technologies.
>
> We support biotechnology in the public interest. We oppose
> policies and biotechnologies--including human germline
> engineering and human cloning--that foster inequality,
> discrimination, objectification, and the commodification
> of human genes and tissues.
>
> The pace of developments has picked up considerably in the
> past several months. And glimmers of opposition are starting
> to emerge. But most Americans--including most activists and
> academics--have no idea that a small group of influential
> scientists have launched a campaign to promote germline
> engineering, human cloning, and a techno-eugenic future.
>
> We've begun working to change that situation: to alert the
> public about the new technologies and the techno-eugenic vision;
> to educate environmental, social justice, women's health, public
> health, and other groups; and to create organized opposition.
>
> TEEL will consist largely of announcements about relevant
> events (especially in California), brief updates on important
> developments, and pointers to useful information.
>
> For at least the next several months, TEEL will be irregular
> (a couple times a month), informal, and non-automated. We'd
> welcome feedback, and suggestions about focus and format.
> A web site will be coming soon.
>
> Marcy Darnovsky will moderate. Send her submissions at the
> email address below.
>
> This first edition is being sent to people with whom we've
> been in contact about human cloning, germline engineering,
> genetic enhancement, and related issues.
>
> Fel free to pass TEEL on to
> others who may be interested in becoming involved, and
> encourage them to subscribe. No obligations!
>
> Marcy Darnovsky Rich Hayes
> [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> UPDATE AND PLANNING MEETING - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
>
> Please join us to discuss the best next steps toward organizing
> opposition to techno-eugenics. We'll devote time both to
> conceptualizing a political framework for this effort, and
> to nuts-and-bolts planning for future events. We'll consider
> the possibility of a day-long conference before the end of the
> calendar year.
>
> Tuesday, September 21, at 7:00 p.m., in the offices of the
> Energy and Resources Group, 387 Barrows Hall, on the south
> side of the UC Berkeley campus, just east of Sproul Hall.
> (Email Rich Hayes for more detailed directions.)
>
> We'll provide coffee, tea, and dessert.
>
> Please let us know that you're planning to attend.
>
> The meeting will begin with very brief updates on recent
> developments, including:
>
> - the California State Advisory Committee on Human Cloning,
> and an activist protest against it in San Diego
>
> - the meaning of the media coverage of the so-called "smart
> mouse"--including Time's cover story on "the IQ gene"
>
> - James Grifo's effort at NYU to create babies with three
> genetic parents
>
> - a conference held at UC Berkeley by the Extropians, a
> group organizing in support of human germline enhancement,
> cloning, and cryogenics
>
> - the ABC Nightline special on human cloning
>
> - the "BioDevastation 3" grassroots conference in Seattle
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> POINTERS
>
> -- Briefing paper on "The Threat of the New Human Techno-
> Eugenics," by Rich Hayes. 8 pages. Available from
> [log in to unmask]
>
> -- GeneWatch, the newsletter of the Council for Responsible
> Genetics, has just published an excellent special issue
> (August 1999) on human cloning. Subscription information:
> CRG, 5 Upland Road, Suite 3, Cambridge, MA 02140. Phone:
> 617-868-0870. Individual subscriptions (6 issues) are $24.
>
> -- Wild Duck Review special issue on biotechnology, with
> detailed discussion of human genetic technologies. For
> information about copies, email Casey Walker, editor, at
> [log in to unmask]
>
> -- For the best recent short statement in a prestigious
> medical journal against human germline engineering, see
> "Human Germline Gene Modification: A Dissent," Paul
> Billings, Ruth Hubbard, and Stuart Newman. The Lancet
> Vol 353 Number 9167, 29 May 1999.
>
> -- Notes on the first two meetings of the California Cloning
> Committee, including testimony from Paul Billings of Council
> for Responsible Genetics. Available from Rich Hayes,
> [log in to unmask]
>
> -- ABC News "Nightline in Primetime" aired a special on human
> cloning on August 19, 1999. Anchor Ted Koppel and correspondent
> Robert Krulwich joined featured guest Lee Silver in endorsing
> human genetic enhancement. A 5-page summary is available from
> Marcy Darnovsky, [log in to unmask] Video copies and transcripts are
> available from ABC News (abcnews.com), which also has a web site
> based on the special at http://abcnews.go.com/onair/popoff/bnw .
>
> -- A list of recent books on the new human genetic technologies
> is available from Marcy Darnovsky, [log in to unmask]
>
> -- Notes on the acquisition by Geron, a Menlo Park biotech
> company, of Roslin Bio-Med and the nuclear transfer technology
> used to create Dolly, the cloned sheep. 2 pages. Available
> from Marcy Darnovsky, [log in to unmask]
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