Medical Regs & Ethics
Common Alzheimer’s gene APOE4 raises risk for women but not men
While many genes contribute to Alzheimer's disease, early onset Alzheimer's is caused by mutations in one of three autosomal dominant ...
Connecticut’s GM seed opposition is assault on science
To create high-paying jobs in Connecticut, economic development professionals often remind us that the future belongs to places that value ...
Down syndrome and leukemia risk explained by genes
In science, technological advances often serve to deepen medical mysteries, as researchers peel away the next layer of the onion ...
Staph may have acquired resistance genes for common antimicbrobial hand sanitizers
Sneezing out antimicrobial snot may sound like a superpower, but it actually could be a handicap. Triclosan, an omnipresent antimicrobial ...
Replacement arteries working in human patients
Even in the 1990s, the procedure seemed primitive. Laura Niklason watched it repeatedly as a medical resident at Boston’s Massachusetts ...
Cloned embryonic stem cells re-ignite ethics debate
Researchers have created cloned stem cells from men's skin cell samples in a lab, in the process creating cloned embryos ...
State lawmakers hold genetic counseling regulation hostage with ‘conscience clause’
Seeking a state licensing processes genetic counselors have pushed for legislation. Lawmakers have forced the inclusion of conscience clauses that ...
MIT-Harvard Institute patents CRISPR gene editing technique
One of the most important genetic technologies developed in recent years is now patented, and researchers are wondering what they ...
It’s time for a cancer genomics revolution
Cancer genomics has produced some major successes; genetically tailored drugs are around the corner in the UK. But as this ...
New Ebola outbreak from novel strain
The Ebola virus that has killed scores of people in Guinea this year is a new strain — evidence that ...
DNA test that replaces Pap smear draws criticism
A high-tech screening tool for cervical cancer is facing pushback from more than a dozen American patient groups, who warn ...
Reverse engineered lung cells created
Consider the marvel of the embryo. It begins as a glob of identical cells that change shape and function as ...
Lab grown blood fit for human transfusion, a regenerative medicine first
“We have made red blood cells that are fit to go in a person’s body," says Marc Turner, medical director ...
Genetically engineering humans for enlightenment?
Transhumanist David Pearce thinks the best way to create a better world is through genetic engineering to halt human and ...
Rare genetic disorder causes severe impairment in siblings, but also conveys super immunity
A brother and sister with an extremely rare genetic condition have a stunning ability to fight off viruses — an ...
Non-invasive prenatal testing a global reality, but what’s next?
Non-invasive prenatal testing offers benefits to the developing world. But without regulation and policy guidance, it's difficult to know how ...
DNA of cancer patients who exceptionally respond to drugs to become avenue for new treatments
The history of oncology is rife with reports of patients with advanced cancer who staged miraculous recoveries. Now scientists are ...
New gene target may be hope for obesity treatments
Many who struggle with their weight will often blame a “slow” metabolism – meaning their bodies do not burn calories ...
Pick the baby, then the mate?
A new computer technology allows potential parents to genetically screen sperm and egg donors for more than 600 conditions and ...
Publishing bird flu results remains controversial due to threat of biological weapon development
When does scientific research cause more harm than good? That question has been at the heart of controversy over what ...
Why embracing the “unnatural” can help us improve on—and preserve—nature
Can we improve on nature? Yes, argues agronomist Andrew McGuire, but he's only talking about farming. I take his argument ...
Newborn genome sequencing: Would every newborn be a patient?
With cost and access decreasing, sequencing the genome of every child at birth could become part of standard newborn screenings ...
Embattled STAP stem cell researcher: I’m not guilty of miscounduct, technique works
Stem cell scientist Haruko Obokata -- recently accused by her employer, Japan's prestigious RIKEN institute, of research misconduct -- has ...
Top GMO question consumers want answered: Do GMOs cause cancer?
It is telling that some consumers are most worried about cancer-causing GMOs when scientific evidence has pointed strongly otherwise: No, ...
Call to end anonymous egg and sperm donation points to lack of fertility industry regulation
A renewed call to end the anonymity of egg and sperm donors hopes to provide donor-conceived kids with important health ...
NIH’s Stem Cell program mysteriously shut down, only one study funded
Stem-cell researchers at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been left frustrated and confused following the demise of ...
What is direct to consumer genetic testing actually worth?
Cyrus Farivar uses several direct to consumer genetic testing companies to explore his health risks, specifically for Alzheimer's disease. In ...
