Once again, the bloggers at Biopolitical Times and other CGS staff were polled for our favorite posts of the closing year. In alphabetical order:

• Egg Raffles and Shadow Markets: The Fertility Industry Goes Global - and Skirts Laws
  The baby business has become a transnational enterprise. As in other aspects of global commerce, the lowest level of labor and consumer protection tends to prevail.
  
  
• Gopher Kids or Guinea Pigs?
  University of Minnesota researchers attempting to investigate the genetic features of “normal and healthy” kids plan to solicit DNA samples from child-parent volunteer pairs at this month’s state fair.
  
  
• No Laughing Matter: The Risks that Human Research Subjects Face
  Joking about putting human research subjects into harm’s way isn’t funny.
  
  
• One of the Leading Scientists in the World?
  Robert Lanza, the Chief Scientific Officer of Advanced Cell Technology, projects great self-confidence, but is it justified?
  
  
• Politics Belong in Science
  Reflecting on Venter's recent announcement and Obama's call to study Synthetic Biology, Time's Nancy Gibbs clarifies that political engagement with science is essential.
  
  
• Race, Genetics, and Law School Emails
  The blogosphere was recently set ablaze by a leaked email from a third year Harvard Law student who, after a dinner with friends, wrote to clarify his/her position on race, genetics, and intelligence.
  
  
• The Corrupting Influence of the Business of Biotech
  Many scientists seem oblivious of the potential that industry funding offers for conflicts of interest.
  
  
• The "Medical" Justification for Re-creating Neanderthals
  "Should We Clone Neanderthals?" asks an article in Archaeology magazine.
  
  
• Transhumanist Fantasylands – Way Out There on the Political Horizon
  “And you thought the guys who had their heads sawed off and frozen in a cryogenic chamber were hardcore.”
  
  
• Whither Personal Genomics?
  Three companies offer contrasting examples of where the fledgling industry goes from here.

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