Texas State Capitol Building in Austin, TX

Center for Health and Biosciences | Science and Technology Policy | Commentary

Where Are the Majority Who Support Vaccines?

The number of anti-vaccine bills filed in Texas has risen, yet many Texans support vaccine policy. Fellow Kirstin R.W. Matthews and nonresident scholar Rekha Lakshmanan examine the stakes of legislative engagement in public health initiatives and provide a call to action for Texans to embrace public health as an act of freedom.

Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Rekha Lakshmanan April 29, 2024

Science and Technology Policy | Commentary

One Easy Way to Increase Transparency in Human Embryo Research

For research involving human embryos and other controversial subjects, science journals should require ethics statements from researchers detailing research oversight, what embryos were used, how many and for how long. This will help increase transparency and improve communication with the public, writes Science and Technology Policy Fellow Kirstin R.W. Matthews.

Kirstin R.W. Matthews January 9, 2024

Drug Policy | Report

Mandated Drug Treatment in the Aftermath of Recreational Cannabis Legalization

Legalizing recreational marijuana was intended to remedy the racially disparate effects of cannabis prohibition. But new research from our experts finds persistent racial disparities in the legal system’s practice of mandating treatment for cannabis use.

Katharine Neill Harris, Christopher F. Kulesza December 12, 2023

Center for Health and Biosciences | Journal

Ethical, Legal, Regulatory & Policy Issues Concerning Embryoids: A Systematic Review of the Literature

By Ana S. Iltis, Grace Koster, Emily Reeves & Kirstin R. W. Matthews

Abstract

Recent advances in methods to culture…

Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Ana S. Iltis August 21, 2023

Drug Policy | Journal

Exploring the Impact of Adult‐use Cannabis Legalization on Legal System Referrals to Treatment

Abstract

Purpose – Despite the progression of recreational cannabis legalization, the legal system remains the largest…

Katharine Neill Harris, Christopher F. Kulesza July 5, 2023

Drug Policy | Commentary

Texas Doubles Down on Ineffective Drug Policies that Could Cost Lives

Decades of bad policy have heightened the risks of drug use and created barriers to treatment. And while some states are now trying to reduce the harms caused by the drug war, Texas is doubling down on ineffective policies.

Katharine Neill Harris June 30, 2023

Center for Energy Studies | Commentary

Canada’s Natural Gas Distribution Network is the Latest Target for Russian Hackers

Once again, more than a decade after NSA contractor Edward Snowden departed the United States with a massive trove of…

Christopher Bronk April 13, 2023

Drug Policy | Commentary

The Drug Enforcement Administration Should Not Erect More Barriers to Care

The rapid adoption of telemedicine is one of the few positive developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, writes fellow Katharine Neill Harris. She explains why the DEA’s recent proposal to change the rules for prescribing drugs via telemedicine would harm patients and increase demand for and exposure to unregulated and more dangerous drugs.

Katharine Neill Harris March 31, 2023