A new report from the Congressional Research Service describes the gene editing technology known as CRISPR-Cas9 and its dramatic implications for genetic engineering. The report also introduces the ethical, regulatory and policy questions that this technology is raising. See Advanced Gene Editing: CRISPR-Cas9, April 28, 2017.
Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.
Law Enforcement Using and Disclosing Technology Vulnerabilities, April 26, 2017
Renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): What Actions Do Not Require Congressional Approval?, CRS Legal Sidebar, April 27, 2017
Softwood Lumber Dispute Lumbers On: Preliminary Countervailing Duties on Canadian Softwood Lumber Announced, CRS Legal Sidebar, April 28, 2017
Department of Defense Contractor and Troop Levels in Iraq and Afghanistan: 2007-2017, updated April 28, 2017
American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics, updated April 26, 2017
Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response, updated April 26, 2017
U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications, updated April 27, 2017
The Greek Debt Crisis: Overview and Implications for the United States, updated April 24, 2017
Iran’s Nuclear Program: Status, updated April 27, 2017
There is no question this is a Big Deal. If you are a university or research lab, or aspire to work in one, or are simply an enthusiast of federally-funded research, what’s next will matter.
The emerging federal metascience community is asking fascinating questions that are equally vital for democratic legitimacy: beyond “did this program work” to “how does the federal R&D enterprise itself work, and how could it work better?”
If you’re new to the climate intervention space, welcome! The TL;DR: if we can’t stop the most catastrophic impacts of climate change with current tools quickly enough, then we need a bigger toolbox.
After months of delay, the council tasked by President Trump to review the FEMA released its final report. Our disaster policy nerds have thoughts.