Birth Parents

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **"Eugenics Then and Now,”** on a dangerous movement in science and its lessons for current research, with Carlo Quintanilla, molecular biologist and health science policy analyst at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-eugenics](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-eugenics) .] Global concerns about the return of eugenic thinking were reignited by Chinese scientist He Jiankui’s 2018 announcement of the first gene-edited babies, Lulu and Nana. He was quickly condemned by the scientific community and jailed for illegal medical practice, but he and others around the world continue experiments with goals echoing eugenic ambitions. As genetic technologies advance at extraordinary speed, society faces a new set of ethical questions about shaping the traits of future generations. Are we entering a new era of eugenics? If so, how should we respond? Hear such questions tackled by Carlo Quintanilla, who studied rare genetic mutations in human disease as a graduate research scientist and instructor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and now works at the intersection of genomic medicine, science, and society. Dr. Quintanilla will begin by discussing the origins and history of eugenics, tracing its development in the 19th and 20th centuries as an idea, a scientific movement, and a set of policies. He’ll examine the rise of Social Darwinism in the U.K., forced sterilization programs in the United States, and the atrocities committed by the Third Reich in the name of “racial hygiene.” From there, he’ll explore how our ability to shape human health and heredity have been transformed by modern reproductive and genetic technologies such as in vitro fertilization, prenatal and embryo screening, and genome editing. You’ll learn how these tools hold enormous promise when it comes to the prevention and cure of rare and debilitating genetic conditions, yet also raise profound questions related to their potential enablement of a new, technologically driven form of eugenics. Dr. Quintanilla will then delve into the ongoing debate among scientists, bioethicists, and policymakers over what should be classified as eugenics today. He’ll highlight recent controversial uses of genetic and reproductive technologies that are pushing ethical boundaries faster than society can define them, from embryo selection for traits like IQ and height to speculative military interest in genetically enhanced soldiers. These examples raise urgent questions: Where should society draw ethical boundaries? Who gets to decide? And is the term “eugenics” still useful for guiding policy and public debate? We’ll close by examining the social, political, and regulatory forces that will determine the future, considering whether they will restrain the push toward further genetic control or accelerate it. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: The frontispiece of the 1883 book *Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development,* by pioneering eugenicist Francis Galton (Wikimedia Commons / Metropolitan Museum of Art).

Let's get together to play some fun BB level Quads games at Bluemont. **Format**: Doubles **COST**: FREE **Court Type**: Outdoor grass **Minimum Skill Requirements**: Intermediate-BB (click [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/mobilebasic) for details) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Smiley Social documents:** 1. [Group Rules ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg) 1. [Liability Waiver ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W2mq-7m99lmvd7gdWYaSUFtvVg4UGnzV6koafAbHmco) 1. [Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/)

The Crown of Laurel Club aims to help members improve their public speaking and leadership skills. Come join us for a fun evening and a great time. The club meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 7 PM to 8:30 PM online on Zoom. Find out more at http://col.toastmastersclubs.org/ and use the "Contact Us" form, from our website, to reach us and receive the Zoom meeting link.

Second Saturdays, [asyouare](https://asyouaredc.com/) from noon 'til 2. Here's the menu: [Click & scroll down a page to see the menu](https://asyouaredc.com/pages/the-space) or at [Toast](https://www.toasttab.com/as-you-are/v3) As you are is a block from the Eastern Market Station on the Blue/Orange Lines.

Earth and Sky Adventures at Sweet Run State Park generally begins with a short evening hike along with family friendly activities in the Education Building (Red barn). This is followed by astronomical viewing led by members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club. See link below for scheduled times, and contact Jim Crowley at [uuplink@aol.com](mailto:uuplink@aol.com) for any questions. [Sweet Run State Park](https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sweet-run)

What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring and Earth Day than a little community service with your local queer community? This event is family-friendly :) **9am-11am** \- Join QA to participate in the City of Alexandria's Stream Cleanup at Four Mile Run Park\. **Participants will meet at the Commonwealth Avenue Cul-de-Sac near the Four Mile Run ballfields.** Details here: [Four Mile Run Stream Cleanup April 12](https://apps.alexandriava.gov/Calendar/Detail.aspx?si=58842) 11:30amish - 1pmish - **Join us right down the road from the park for brunch at District Biscuit Company!** 3401 Mt. Vernon Ave. Please feel free to join us for either or both parts of this event. Hope to see you there!

Let's get together for a New Orleans cuisine inspired dinner at Dauphine's. Dauphine’s utilizes Mid-Atlantic ingredients to prepare classic New Orleans fare while also creating original dishes inspired by the iconic city. Dishes include small plates from $9-$22 and large plates ranging from $24-$38. For details, see **[dinner menu](https://www.dauphinesdc.com/menus/#dinner)**. Take a look at the mouth watering [dessert menu](https://www.dauphinesdc.com/menus/#dessert). And let's not forget the the [drinks menu](https://www.dauphinesdc.com/menus/#beverages). IMPORTANT INFORMATION: * **CASH only.** * **Sign up only if you can commit. Do not sign up if you are a maybe.** * If your plans change, update your RSVP even if you are in the Waitlist. * Individuals that don't show or cancel in the last 24 hours will not be able to join future events organized by me in 2026. * Three days before the event, I will ask everyone in the Going list to confirm they are attending. I will ask everyone to confirm by the end of the day. Individuals that do not respond/confirm will be removed from the list and I will ask who in the Waitlist would like to join. * The organizer reserves the right to change, cancel, and/or manage the event as they see fit. Looking forward to seeing you at Dauphine's!

Hey Chapter Twoers, now that the weather is warming up, it's time to return to the Summer House, the Santa Monica-inspired restaurant in Pike & Rose that promises to bring "the sunshine all year round."