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Science and a Side of Diplomacy

A new Swiss program aims to back long-term science projects, such as tackling excess carbon in the atmosphere, the Associated Press reports. It adds that the program, called the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), could also act as a body to settle scientific disputes.

According to the AP, the backers of GESDA, which include the Swiss government, say that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for not only advanced preparation for pandemics, but also the need for diplomacy. "We could have perhaps been more prepared for the pandemic than we were today," Peter Brabeck, the former chair and CEO of Nestle, who was tapped by the Swiss to lead GESDA, tells the AP. "Only a scientific breakthrough is not enough. It has to be embedded in a diplomatic framework."

In a press release, GESDA says it is planning a summit in October to bring together UN officials, scientists, diplomats, and others to discuss key scientific issues including human genome engineering, quantum computing, space resources, and more.

The Scan

Positive Framing of Genetic Studies Can Spark Mistrust Among Underrepresented Groups

Researchers in Human Genetics and Genomics Advances report that how researchers describe genomic studies may alienate potential participants.

Small Study of Gene Editing to Treat Sickle Cell Disease

In a Novartis-sponsored study in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that a CRISPR-Cas9-based treatment targeting promoters of genes encoding fetal hemoglobin could reduce disease symptoms.

Gut Microbiome Changes Appear in Infants Before They Develop Eczema, Study Finds

Researchers report in mSystems that infants experienced an enrichment in Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Finegoldia and a depletion of Bacteroides before developing eczema.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Specificity Enhanced With Stem Cell Editing

A study in Nature suggests epitope editing in donor stem cells prior to bone marrow transplants can stave off toxicity when targeting acute myeloid leukemia with immunotherapy.