After secret Harvard meeting, scientists announce plans for synthetic human genomes

Three weeks ago, 130 scientists, entrepreneurs and policy leaders held an invitation-only, closed-door meeting at Harvard University to discuss an ambitious plan to create synthetic human genomes. Now, after a flurry of criticism over the secrecy of the effort, the participants have published their idea, declaring that they’re launching a project to radically reduce the cost of synthesizing genomes — a potentially revolutionary development in biotechnology that could enable technicians to grow human organs for transplantation.

Transgender bathroom debate likely headed to Supreme Court

The debate over whether transgender students should be able to use the bathrooms that match their gender identity is likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court after a federal appeals court refused Tuesday to reconsider a three-judge panel’s ruling on the matter.

Long-Dreaded Superbug Found in Human and Animal in U.S.

The antibiotic resistance factor MCR, which protects bacteria against the final remaining drugs of last resort, has been found in the United States for the first time—in a person, and separately, in a stored sample taken from a slaughtered pig.

State Department sets new single-day record for Syrian refugee approvals

The State Department admitted 80 Syrian refugees on Tuesday and 225 on Monday, setting a single-day record, as President Obama tries to meet his target of 10,000 approvals this year — renewing fears among security analysts who say the administration is cutting corners to meet a political goal.

Oklahoma governor vetoes bill criminalizing performing abortions

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin vetoed a sweeping and unprecedented measure Friday that would have made performing an abortion a felony punishable by prison time, saying the bill was vague and would not be able to withstand a criminal constitutional challenge.

Senate Approves 9/11 Legislation Despite Saudi Threats

Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would allow families of Sept. 11 victims to sue the government of Saudi Arabia, rejecting the fierce objections of a U.S. ally and setting Congress on a collision course with the Obama administration.

Iowa high court admits preborn children have rights

On Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled a child not yet born at the time of a parent’s death can still be awarded damages for wrongful loss of parental companionship. Despite the clear implications about when life begins, the court tried to distance its decision from the abortion debate.

State Dept. faces questions over missing tape, amid scramble over WH aide’s Iran boast

While the White House scrambles to contain the damage caused by one of President Obama’s closest aides — who boasted of manipulating social media, journalists and friendly interest groups to sell the Iran nuclear deal — it now is facing new questions about a portion of missing tape in which a State Department official acknowledges misleading the press on the Iran negotiations.

Lawmakers, advocates push to reveal extent of surveillance

Even though the bulk collection of Americans’ telephone records has ended, calls and emails are still being swept up by U.S. surveillance work targeting foreigners. Congress is making a renewed push to find out how many.

White House official admits fudging of facts to sell Iran deal

A senior official in the Obama administration acknowledged that the background to nuclear talks with Iran was misrepresented in order to sell the impression of a more moderate Iranian regime and thus gain greater American public support for an agreement.

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