Human Spotlight
Sir David Attenborough is wrong – humans are still evolving
Have we, in famed broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough's words, put a halt to natural selection? The short answer is ...
Brain sleep, not beauty sleep? Switching off regrows cells
A study shows that sleeping activates a gene which allows certain types of brain cells to be replenished ...
Epigenetics sheds new light on altruism
Recent research in neuroscience and epigenetics is revealing more and more about the fundamental social nature of humans ...
Has an Israeli research team found the key to curing cancer in humans?
The Israeli blind mole rat's incredible resistance to cancer may make it the perfect organism to advance cancer research, as ...
The right to genetic ignorance
The intention behind routine genome sequencing is good, but could it obliterate the right to remain ignorant of potentially untreatable ...
Convergent evolution seen in many genes, including those for echolocation
A new study suggests that many genes evolved in parallel in bats and dolphins, helping each to develop their remarkable ...
Does nature or nurture decide our sexuality? Could it be a little of both?
How much influence do genes have on gender and sexuality? Watch two prominent scientists debate vastly different answers to this ...
Growing mini-brains: What are the ethical concerns?
At what point does a bundle of brain cells become a brain, and is it ethical to push those limits? ...
Researchers extend human epigenomic map, possibilities of personalized medicine
Harvard University scientists have extended our knowledge of human epigenomics, which could lead to a breakthrough in personalized medicine and ...
Life insurance and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
GINA doesn't apply to life, disability, or long-term care insurance. But genetic information could radically change the insurance landscape ...
Ethiopian Jews in Somalia: Tracing remnants of the Yibir
The Yibir in Somalia is one of the few known Muslim communities worldwide that maintains Jewish descent. A genetic study ...
Genome studies reveal roots of TB drug resistance
A new catalogue of tuberculosis bacteria genomes may help researchers ID and treat drug-resistant strains ...
Martians on Earth: Compounds from Mars may have seeded life on our planet
New findings suggest that Mars holds the key ingredients needed for the evolution of life itself, suggesting that life may ...
10 reasons why growing a human brain-in-a-dish is terrific
The growth of a mini-brain is revolutionary in more ways than one. PhD Ricki Lewis describes the ten most exciting ...
Genetic manipulation extends mouse lifespan by 20%
Suppressing specific gene expression improved mouse longevity, but we're a long way from using the technique to control human aging ...
Memories of positive associations get written onto DNA
Another study adds to the growing list of experiements in which epigenetics appears involved in the process of locking memories ...
Could embryo donation become common practice?
Embryo donation seems like a reasonable solution: IVF leads to potentially viable, unused embryos. Other people desperately want them ...
GE regulation: More may be necessary, but need not inhibit innovation
Products such as corporate GM crops, which use a new branch of genetic engineering known as synthetic biology, have been ...
Genomics X Prize canceled: “Outpaced by innovation”
Improvements in genome sequencing speed and cost led organizers to cancel the Genomics X Prize. But will the goal of ...
Teaching doctors about genomics
A video training program currently in development may help teach doctors how to use genetic test results in everyday care ...
As prenatal testing for Down syndrome increases, so do concerns about genetic counseling
Noninvasive prenatal tests provide early-pregnancy information about genetic abnormalities. Can genetic counseling keep pace? ...
Gene expression profiling study finds biomarkers related to suicide risk
Researchers may one day be able to use RNA biomarkers in the blood to identify suicide risk ...
India’s doubting fathers and sons embrace DNA paternity tests
The increasing availability of DNA paternity tests in India may lead to a number of ethical conundrums ...
Glowing bunnies: Why they matter
The technique behind glowing rabbits may someday create animals that make biological pharmaceutical products ...
The old and new eugenics
Was "negative eugenics" truly something on the margins of society? Kirk Allison, Director of the Program in Human Rights and ...
Controversy around Havasupai Indian genetic study more myth than fact
The story that researchers were testing a Native American tribe's DNA without consent is too good to ignore. Even if ...
Unhidden traits: Genomic data privacy debates heat up
Is addressing genetic privacy concerns for scientific study participants essential, impossible, or maybe undesirable? ...
