Catch up on 2015’s most popular Policy & Advocacy posts!
How labor reform might overhaul postdoc pay
A proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Labor could soon mandate that postdocs making less than $50,440 per year will be eligible for overtime pay at 1.5 times their hourly rate. Research labs are generally not prepared to track overtime hours and many do not have the additional funds available to pay postdocs above their current stipend.
Authentic ethics in synthetic biology
While the science behind the synthetic yeast genome project Sc 2.0 is cutting edge, the ethical questions surrounding it aren’t new, suggests geneticist and ethicist Debra J. H. Mathews in an interview with Sarah Bay.
Gene Drive: More research, not more regulations
A guest post from GSA Public Policy Chair Allan Spradling on regulation of gene drive research.
The State of Federal Research Funding in Genetics As Reflected By Members of the Genetics Society of America
The concern over research funding in biology in general and genetics in particular led GSA to survey our membership to learn more about the federal support of genetics at the level of individual principal investigators.
Working through the issues: Science, ethics and governance of gene drive research
A report on a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine meeting on Science, Ethics and Governance Considerations for Gene Drive Research.
pgEd Briefings: Increasing policymakers’ interest in genetics
Johnny Kung of the Personal Genetics Education Project at Harvard Medical School fills us in on a pgEd Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill about the latest developments and applications of emerging genetic technologies.
The Personal Genetics Education Project (pgEd) held a congressional briefing featuring Diana Bianchi, MD, Tufts University School of Medicine, Jennifer Doudna, PhD, University of California, Berkeley, and George Church, PhD, Harvard Medical School. Tuesday, November 17, 2015. Photo Credit: John Boal Photography
More questions than answers at Gene Editing Summit
Top scholars in genetics, bioengineering, ethics, and law debated the merits of human gene editing at the International Summit on Human Gene Editing; however consensus was far from achieved.
National Academies Human Gene-Editing Initiative holds public meeting
The Human Gene-Editing Initiative launched by the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Medicine held a public meeting to provide an overview of the state of gene editing science in preparation for an international summit.
Scrutiny on fetal tissue impacts research community
The use of fetal tissue has drawn increasing public scrutiny in recent weeks as a result of secret video recordings involving the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Getting less attention is how fetal cells can be essential research tools.
Stem cells (green) could someday be used to treat cancer, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, Lou Gehrig’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and retinitis pigmentosa, among other applications. Image courtesy of Christina Tu / Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Agencies hold first public meeting on the GMO regulatory framework
A report on the first of three public meetings to discuss an update to the coordinated framework which serves as the regulatory guidelines for genetically engineered organisms. This meeting provided an opportunity for representatives from the primary agencies involved in GMO regulation, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to clarify their roles in the current framework.
Read more in
-
In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation
Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…
-
Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…
-
Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024
You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…
-
Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience
A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…
-
TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners
GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024. Don’t miss the opportunity…
-
Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards
In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…
-
Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research
In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…
-
New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026
We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…
-
Parrot plumage study aids breeders and endangered natural populations
Yellow coloration is maladaptive in the wild but prized by breeders. People have long been fascinated with birds, which exhibit one of the widest ranges of coloration among vertebrates. Parrots, in particular, have captivated humans by their ability to mimic human speech and spectacular plumage. Brightly colored feathers are used primarily to attract mates, intimidate…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Gilmour
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah GilmourMultimedia SubcommitteeStowers Institute for Medical Research Research Interest Questions of evolution have always fascinated me. I am extremely fortunate to be starting out my research career in a…