Medical Regs & Ethics
DNA nanorobots deliver medicine inside cockroaches, act like a computer
"It's a computer -- inside a cockroach." So writes Sarah Spickernell in a fascinating account at New Scientist of DNA-based ...
To reduce false positives, PLOS asks scientists for extra info in gene association studies
The Public Library of Science will now require scientists who want to publish genetic association studies in the journal to ...
As FDA rejects mandatory GMO labeling, some ‘green’ groups advocate vandalism
FDA commissioner's science-based support for voluntary labeling of GMOs disappointed anti-GMO campaigners, some of whom are now advocating ripping up ...
Epigenetic studies provide intriguing results, but are hard to replicate
Obesity may be written not only in the genes, but also on top of them. One of the largest studies ...
New guidelines for patients who opt-out of DNA screens too limiting
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics updated their policies to let patients decide if they want to participate ...
Ancient viral DNA may play key role in how human stem cells work
A significant portion of our genetic material is comprised of holdovers from viral infections long ago. Now it seems like ...
Epigenomic boom over hyped?
Epigenetics promises to explain the relationships between our genes and environments, but some scientists argue it may be going too ...
Breakthrough STAP stem cell researchers officially guilty of misconduct
Earlier this year researchers at Japan's RIKEN institute announced a remarkably easy way to produce stem cells -- the holy ...
Another step towards designer babies?
A non-invasive test that is much more accurate than current methods to detect abnormalities in a fetus's genome is now ...
Most ‘dangerous’ anti-science GMO critic? Meet Mike Adams–Conspiracy junkie runs alternative ‘health’ empire
He just may be the most influential—and scientists say the most irresponsible—voice in the crusade to demonize GMOs and undermine ...
CNN’s irresponsible article on ’10 ways to avoid GMOs’–No, GMOs are not unsafe
CNN's article about 10 ways to avoid GMOs was not grounded in fact and misled many readers, a clear example ...
French fries and skinny genes: Are we programmed to be obese?
Genes and diet interact to pack on pounds, but not as much as the media thinks. Even as we learn ...
More stem cell papers questioned: Why is the field so vulnerable?
It is too soon to say whether two papers reporting the results will have to be retracted. But for stem ...
Aging gene linked to melanoma
A type of melanoma that runs in families may be caused by a fault in a gene that helps protect ...
Gene regulator plays role in Alzheimer’s
Along with symptoms of cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease patients often have an accumulation of plaques and tangles of proteins in ...
Gene mutation linked to irritable bowel syndrome in some patients
Approximately 2% of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have a mutation of the SCN5A gene that disrupts sodium channel ...
When scientific consensus meets GMOs
The information on a scientific consensus is easy enough to find, but for the topic of GMOs it is in ...
Breakthrough biology: First synthetic chromosome for yeast created, capping month of biotech innovations
Scientists have created the first man-made chromosome for yeast, a landmark for synthetic biology that promises to push the boundaries ...
Opt in or opt out? Battle over Minnesota’s newborn genetic screening law
The Minnesota Department of Health would regain broad authority to test and store blood samples from newborn babies under legislation ...
Pre-natal neuron disorganization may cause autism
Nobody knows what causes autism, a condition that varies so widely in severity that some people on the spectrum achieve ...
Cows genetically engineered to make human disease antibodies
A herd of 60 genetically engineered cows in northwestern Iowa could help unlock the key to producing new medicines that ...
Gene expression goes realtime with MRI
Doctors commonly use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose tumors, damage from stroke, and many other medical conditions. Neuroscientists also ...
DNA tests show Elvis Presley prone to obesity and heart disease
Elvis Presley may have died because of genetic conditions that made him prone to obesity and heart disease - rather ...
You can’t learn everything from your DNA, but what you can could save your life
Between false negatives and false positives, genetic testing isn't a perfect prognosticator. Even so, it can provide life-saving information ...
Whole-genome sequencing in your doctor’s office? A reality check, but sooner than later
The cost of genome sequencing hasn't really plummeted, but it's still dramatically cheaper than it used to be. Does that ...
Personalized medicine may cost more than cures
Personalized medicine promises to offer targeted, individualized treatment to the masses. But what will it do to the pharmaceutical industry ...
Can genome editing cure AIDS?
Yes. At least, in theory. But, theory might soon become practice according to the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine ...
