Mission

Genetic Literacy Project, a division of the Science Literacy Project

Agricultural and human biotechnology are reshaping farming, food and medicine. The GLP explores the intersection of DNA research and real world applications of genetics with media and policy to disentangle science from ideology.

Genetic research and biotechnology can improve food security, the environment and public health. Yet dramatic innovation can lead to unintended consequences and present ethical challenges. In theory, the study of genetics and related cutting edge sciences are widely celebrated. But in practice, the words “gene” and “genetic engineering” and “biotechnology” and “synthetic biology” often stir fear and misunderstanding when applied to biomedicine and farming. Intricate science scares people who don’t understand risk and complexity. What is the potential of agricultural and human genetics? The commitment of the GLP is to promote public awareness of genetics, biotechnology and science literacy.

The Genetic Literacy Project is part of the Science Literacy Project, an independent 501c3 funded by grants from non-partisan foundations and charities. The GLP accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals but not from corporations. Other divisions of the SLP include the Genetic Expert News Service (GENeS) and the soon-to-be-launched Epigenetics Literacy Project. The GLP has no formal affiliation and receives no funding with any other organization, including the University of California-Davis, where executive director Jon Entine is a senior fellow, unpaid, at the Institute for Food and Agricultural Literacy.

The Washington, DC office of the GLP-founded and independently run GENeS project has an office in the University of California Washington, DC building but receives no university support of any kind, including for the office itself. The GLP has no affiliation with George Mason University (and never had an affiliation with GMU) or with the Statistical Assessment Service, which is now defunct. From 2011-2014, GLP operated as an independent entity within STATS, which provided accounting services to the GLP, until the GLP was able to secure independent 501c3 status in 2015. GLP was not involved in STATS activities.

To donate, please contact us through our Washington office: