ANNUAL REPORT 2018 FACT-BASED SCIENCE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST MESSAGE FROM JON ENTINE Executive Director, Genetic Literacy Project I consider the Genetic Literacy Project to be the most informative website on We are entering the “biotech decades”—a transformative biotechnology, an area that continues to be societally controversial. Sites like era in medicine and farming akin to the digital revolution “ of the 1980s and 90s. It’s the early stages of a neo- the GLP will be a critical resource in freeing biotechnology from overregulation. biological metamorphosis, drawing on remarkable I also appreciate Jon Entine’s unflinching efforts to use journalism—accurate technologies—transgenics, CRISPR gene editing, journalism—to uncover the pernicious influence of politics on the scientific synthetic biology and gene therapy—that are reducing integrity of decision-making within the regulatory bureaucracy. diseases and developing more abundant, climate- – Nina Fedoroff, molecular biologist, former president of the resistant and more nutritious food. We are unlocking American Association for the Advancement of Science, our understanding of food science, artificial intelligence, National Medal of Science Laureate, and GLP board member neuroscience, the use of safer chemicals, the microbiome, fertility, the digitalizing of health—and often My family tree disappears into the Eastern European blurring the lines about what makes us human, what diaspora, so it’s difficult to trace the history of this wayward defines sex, death and more. gene in my lineage. The only thing that can be said with near certainty is that it’s a grim marker of our Jewish ancestry. This revolution is not guaranteed, however. There are During the 2000s, both of my sisters battled additional storm clouds. Certainly, biotechnology presents scientific cancers linked to this malignant gene, and I was diagnosed challenges and ethical and religious conundrums that as a carrier. Most frightening, when my daughter was tested, we must navigate. But like the Luddites of the early 19th she too was found to be a carrier. century, there are groups dedicated to distorting and even blocking potentially revolutionary advancements, By this time I was writing about genetics, human and regardless of the human cost. That’s why the Genetic agriculture, with the frenzy of the possessed—numerous Literacy Project exists—to serve as a beacon, looking books and hundreds of articles focusing on biomedicine, backward to illuminate what brought us to this point and the development of life-saving drugs like bio-engineered forward to help navigate the possibilities ahead. insulin and sustainable genetically engineered crops. But my ability to influence policy and counter growing public Why did I, after a life-long career as a network TV news misconceptions on genetic issues was limited. Seven years producer, print journalist, and author, launch the GLP in ago, with generous support from independent foundations, I 2011? I trace my interest in genetics to a documentary had the opportunity to launch the Genetic Literacy Project. I produced in 1989 with Tom Brokaw at NBC News on race and sports that sparked a constructive public The pages that follow provide a snapshot of what the GLP discussion on misunderstandings about genetics and has accomplished and our plans for the future. human differences. I hope you see yourself and your generosity in these pages. My focus on genetics tragically deepened when my Those who provide the GLP with financial and moral support older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer traced to are crucial to this effort, as much as our dedicated team or one of three genetic mutations that disproportionately scientists working in this field. Our achievements are your affect Jews, who were an insular population for many achievements, our successes your successes. I hope you will centuries. Suddenly, the tragic genealogy of my family fell continue to join us in persistent and courageous partnership into place. When in high school, my aunt, grandmother toward a better quality of life for all people. and mother, all living in my home, died within two years, With gratitude, victims of breast or ovarian cancer. Because science was then not yet able to explain the origins of these types of cancer, our family believed their deaths were unfortunate coincidences. By the 1990s, as our knowledge of genetics began to expand, we learned they were victims not of bad luck but of a bad gene. 2018 Annual Report 1 WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO OUR EXPANDING RESOURCES The mission of The Genetic Literacy Project is to educate and encourage an ethically and scientifically sound The Genetic Literacy Project has developed special, user- and inform the public, media, industry and policy makers development of innovative genetic technologies that also friendly sections to help our readers navigate the emerging about the science and societal implications of human and respect our religious diversity. We have a remarkable team issues stirred by the revolution in biotechnology. agricultural genetics and biotechnology and to promote of writers, editors and support staff to oversee our website, science literacy. Our goal is to disentangle science help organize our public and private conferences and policy FAQ sections help educators and the public make their way from ideology, prevent legislative over-reach, promote briefings and develop specialized resources to effect real through the ideological minefields in the debates over GMOs, cooperation among academic and industry researchers change in the fast-moving biotechnology arena. CRISPR, gene therapy and synthetic biology. We profile the activists and advocacy organizations that are spreading misinformation about the science of biotechnology. Jon Entine is a principled, skeptical journalist who has the courage to tell the truth, even when “that offends the cautious. I trust his research and admire his writing. I would encourage you to consider seriously his work with the Genetic Literacy Project. – John Stossel, ABC News, Fox Business GMO Beyond The Science Over the past 3 years, the GLP has run a multi-part series delving into the environmental, political and health issues often overlooked in the ongoing debate over transgenics and New Breeding Techniques such as CRISPR. GeneticLiteracyProject.org is THE unique place on the and reach in delivering the research and content that web for covering the intersection of biotechnology, science supports sound genetic technologies. Each week we cover innovation, policy and the media. It is at the center of hundreds of articles. And we don’t just report. We look our mission. But we do far more than just ‘follow the behind the headlines to offer the science and research Bees, Butterflies and Fears of a news’. Our website houses the most comprehensive and communities, industry, the public, and policy experts Pollinator Collapse expansive searchable library on human and agricultural unique perspectives they can get nowhere else. Independent facts about pollinators, addressing biotechnology. No other site comes close to our influence advocacy and media misinformation claiming pesticides are driving a ‘bee-apocalypse’ when in fact global bee populations are at record highs. 2 Genetic Literacy Project 2018 Annual Report 3 MAKING AN IMPACT… CHANGING POLICY During 2012, a presidential election year, the debate over the future of food was at a fever pitch. Anti- DECEMBER 26, 2012 biotechnology groups such as Natural Resources Defense An investigation by Jon Entine published Dec. 19 by Slate.com and the nonprofit Council, Greenpeace, Center for Food Safety and the reported that all internal regulatory hurdles had been passed back in April but thatGenetic the White Literacy House Projectput a hold Environmental Working Group were mobilized against on release of the documents. GMOs, targeting one specific food in particular: an Atlantic “Within days of the expected public release of the EA [environmental assessment] this spring, the applica salmon modified to grow twice as quickly as conventional tion was frozen,” wrote Entine, who is the Genetic Literacy Project - salmon, promising huge sustainability advantages. within the government say, came after meetings with the White House,’s executivewhich was director. debating “The the politicaldelay, sources impli Despite its documented ecological advantages and health cations of approving the GM salmon, a move likely to infuriate a portion of its base.” - and safety endorsements from numerous government Within hours, the White House capitulated and the long-suppressed approval approval document was released, agencies, anti-GMO activists saw the AquaBounty salmon paving the way for the introduction of the first genetically engineered food. as a Trojan Horse that could soften opposition to genetic The GLP, in an article simultaneously posted on Slate and the Genetic Literacy Project, and later on Forbes, engineering, which they rejected out of hand. exposed the White House suppression of the FDA approval, garnering more than two thousand scathing com ments. Within hours, an embarrassed White House ordered the release of the suppressed FDA approval. - For 17 years, the bioengineered salmon had been winding its way through a labyrinthine process before finally securing preliminary Food and Drug Administration approval—only to land in regulatory purgatory when the documents were not publicly released. GLP began its investigation in 2012. What did we find? That the Obama White House had