Center for Genetics and Society



www.genetics-and-society.org

Basic History
The Center for Genetics and Society was established in August 2001 after a period of outreach, discussions and conferences conducted by its predecessor organization, the Exploratory Initiative on the New Human Genetic Technologies. This initial phase of our work involved alerting the leaders of scientific, medical, women's health, environmental, human rights, social justice and other constituencies to the need for policies addressing the new human genetic technologies. In September 2001 CGS co-sponsored the conference Beyond Cloning: Protecting Humanity from Species-Altering Procedures at Boston University. More than 140 participants discussed the need for a global ban on genetic procedures that fundamentally change the nature of the human species. In February 2002 CGS hosted a reception and briefing for delegates to the United Nations committee that has begun negotiations for a treaty to ban human cloning. Nearly 120 UN delegates, press, and others turned out to hear leaders of CGS and Global Lawyers and Physicians urge the UN to support strong bans on human reproductive cloning and other genetic modification techniques.

Basic Beliefs
The Center for Genetics and Society supports benign and beneficent medical applications of the new human genetic and reproductive technologies, and opposes those applications that objectify and commodify human life and threaten to divide human society. 

The Center works in a context of support for the equitable provision of health technologies domestically and internationally; for women's health and reproductive rights; for the protection of our children; for the rights of the disabled; and for precaution in the use of technologies that could alter the fundamental processes of the natural world. 

Leadership
Executive Director—Richard Hayes
Associate Executive Director—Marcy Darnovsky
Program Director—Tania Simoncelli

Basic Facts
The Center for Genetics and Society is a non-profit information and public affairs organization working to encourage responsible uses and effective societal governance of the new human genetic and reproductive technologies. They work with a growing network of scientists, health professionals, civil society leaders and others. CGS staff has spoken at numerous hearings, conferences and other venues, and have produced a continuing series of articles, briefing papers, and other materials. CGS is a 501(c)3 project of the Tides Center. For its work to date, CGS has received financial support from the Appleton Foundation, Aurora Foundation, C.S. Fund/Warsh-Mott Legacy, Rockefeller Family Fund/Changing Horizons, Foundation for Deep Ecology, French American Charitable Trust, Homeland Foundation, Jenifer Altman Foundation, Pettus-Crowe Foundation, StarFire Fund, Tides Foundation, and individual donors. In-kind support has been provided by Public Media Center.

Location
Center for Genetics and Society
436 14th Street, Suite 1302
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone (510) 625-0819
Fax (510) 625-0874