Michael Stebbins

Michael Stebbins is an American geneticist and science writer. He received his B.S. in biology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and his Ph.D. in genetics while working at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he constructed genetic systems to artificially control gene expression in the brain.

Since August 2005, Dr. Stebbins has served as the Director of Biology Policy for the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), and runs the FAS's Biosecurity Project. His work at FAS focuses on control of biological weapons, preparedness for biological, nuclear, and chemical weapons attacks, and the responsible use of science and technology. Previously, he worked as a legislative fellow for U. S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and as a policy fellow for the National Human Genome Research Institute. He has also worked as a senior editor for the journal Nature Genetics and as a science journalist for Reuters. He is currently a science policy columnist for Seed Magazine, and a science advisor to ScienCentral, a company that produces science-related news stories for ABC and NBC television affiliates.

Dr. Stebbins is the author of the book Sex, Drugs and DNA: Science's Taboos Confronted, and serves on the Board of Advisors of Scientists and Engineers for America, an organization focused on promoting sound science in government.