Human Genetics Features
The GLP tackles innovations in human genetics and biotechnology. We highlight the work of our own writers, as well as that of contributors from around the Web. The GLP does not take a position on genetics-related issues; any opinions expressed belong to the authors.
Categories include:
- CRISPR and gene editing
- Gene therapy
- Stem cell research
- Genetic diseases
- Synthetic biology
- Epigenetics
- Biodrugs (pharmacogenetics)
- Personal genomics
- Ancestry and evolution
- Ethics and regulations
Why the promise of precision drug treatments is blunted by a lack of racial diversity in genetics research
A lack of racial and ethnic diversity in pharmacogenomic research is raising questions about whether poorly represented groups are being ...
No longer science fiction: Brain-to-brain interfaces can transmit thoughts
It’s not sci-fi, it’s not mind control, but a real world attempt at telepathy ...
Have humans reached the end of evolution? Not under these 3 scenarios
Is natural selection still a major force in human evolution? Or have vaccines, water purification, modern medical care and other ...
Viewpoint: To cure Alzheimer’s we need to think big—like the Manhattan Project
Figuring out the pieces to the Alzheimer’s puzzle ...
Is narcolepsy caused by a ‘treacherous’ immune system?
New research could lead to easier diagnoses of this rare sleep disorder ...
WTF? Did the rise of agriculture—and soft foods—give us the ability to drop F bombs?
How the foods we eat influence the sounds our languages develop ...
Why masculinity is in turmoil
The American Psychological Association released new guidelines for men and boys last month. Critics went mad — and they missed the ...
Can pig-human chimeras meet our growing demand for transplantable organs?
Experiments show pig-human chimeras might be able to farm human organs for transplantation and disease research. But would it be ...
Can a genetic test help you find the right marriage partner?
Does a good marriage depend on having the right genes? ...
Using genetics and social media to find answers for rare ‘undiagnosed’ diseases
Having a strange and little-known condition is increasingly becoming a regular part of life, bonding patients together with a common ...
How languages and genetics explain our origins and evolution
The twists and turns of both language and genetics offer stunning insights into human history ...
Research integrity and why bad science has become such a problem
Science depends on corroboration — that is, researchers verify others’ results, often making incremental advances as they do so. The ...
‘Suicide’ headaches? Magic mushrooms or LSD could offer relief
Hallucinogenic drugs, particularly lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, are classified as Schedule 1, but scientists and physicians believe they ...
Why human evolution is far from over—and may be speeding up
Global studies of human DNA show that natural selection continues to change who we are ...
‘Deadly dreams’? Modern genetics unravels mystery surrounding strange disease
Following decades of unexplained deaths, mostly among young men, modern genetics and epidemiological detective work helped to establish a link ...
What spider genetics can tell us about evolutionary relationships and cut-throat competition
What’s the most famous — or even the most infamous — spider in the world? The tarantula? The black widow? ...
‘Creative misbehavior’: When ingenuity takes a dark turn
Misbehavior is a form of creative thinking ...
What makes something funny? Genetics almost certainly plays a role
What we find funny can differ wildly from person to person. And scientists have found that genetics plays at least ...
Breaking down the ‘scientific and statistical sins’ behind reporting on marijuana science
A new book and New Yorker feature are filled with cherry-picked data, oversimplified studies, and scientific errors ...
Building a better mini brain: How these tiny organoids can boost fight against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s
It’s your favorite organ, self-assembling, ready to go ...
Newborns and genome sequencing: Do we sacrifice privacy in the name of health?
If history provides a lesson, routine newborn genomic sequencing won’t come without a fight ...
How Freddie Mercury got his voice: It wasn’t his teeth
Was Freddie Mercury's magnificent voice aided by a genetic defect? ...
Gluten free diets are all the rage—here’s why that could be a bad thing
Gluten-free diets are all the rage, even though only a tiny fraction of us are susceptible to celiac-linked reactions. But ...
Gene drives: Why the best option for fighting mosquito-borne diseases is the ‘mosquito itself’
Gene drives are now a viable method of fighting mosquito-borne disease ...
Is gender identity fluid or fixed? What we know about other animals might help inform the debate.
Distinguishing between sex and gender is a vital first step in understanding gender identity ...
What’s the future of human gene editing? Balancing ethical and religious concerns with evidence-based uses of genetic technologies
The November announcement of CRISPR-created babies provoked an intense uproar from scientists, ethicists and the public alike. Fears of independent ...
Key to fecal transplants could revolve around ‘recipe and preparation’
Fecal transplants are slowly becoming a more effective, and more palatable option for various gut disorders, such as IBS or ...
Is love a mystery of the heart? Or hard-wired in our genes?
Scientists have identified a number of genetic markers that 'code' humans for attraction--genes for intelligence, subtle human body odors, height ...
