CRG is a national nonprofit organisation of scientists, environmentalists, public health advocates, physicians, lawyers and other concerned citizens. CRG encourages informed public debate about the social, ethical, and environmental implications of new genetic technologies, and advocates for socially responsible use of these technologies.
CRG monitors the development of new genetic technologies in two broad program areas: human genetics, and commercial biotechnology and the environment.
Current CRG work includes tracking biotech developments, writing position papers, creating model legislation, providing public education, and alerting the public to issues in a variety of areas including:
- cloning
- biopiracy
- biosafety
- germline engineering
- genetically modified foods
- genetic privacy and discrimination
- DNA databanking
- life patents
- xenotransplantation
In addition, CRG publishes a bimonthly magazine, GeneWatch, a national magazine that continually monitors the ethical, social and ecological impacts of both human and agricultural biotechnology.