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
Olympic gene doping: How WADA is managing new performance-enhancing technologies
The start of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang has once again brought questions of unethical athletic performance-enhancement, or doping, to ...
Viewpoint: Self-diagnosed celiac disease is just the latest diet obsession of wealthy white people
There are people who are allergic to gluten. But the recent surge in self-diagnosed Celiac sufferers is little more than ...
The quest for youth, and what our genes have to say about it
Why do some people seem to age faster than others? The answer may lie in our epigenetics ...
Viewpoint: Public enthusiasm for genetics tempered by distrust, privacy concerns
Cheaper genome sequencing is expanding our ability to understand risks associated with genetic mutations. But not everyone embraces these advances, ...
Gene-editing advances put us at the dawn of a revolution in medicine
So much of the public's attention is focused on the use of genetic engineering in the crops that our farmers ...
Incurable arthritic knees? Gene therapy offers new hope
Imagine a single injection into the knee vanquishing painful arthritis — forever. Gene therapies aimed at two molecular targets could ...
Viewpoint: We aren’t even close to being able to engineer superhumans
We know there are genes that contribute to intelligence. But the relationship between those genes and our intelligence is so ...
State of mind: Will computers learn to act and think like we do?
The technology that drives artificial intelligence is constantly moving forward. But will machines every gain the human equivalent of a ...
‘Brain banks’: Why these scientists want your brain
Researchers are striving to build collections of brains free of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. A stronger base of ...
NBC News’ Richard Engel’s son diagnosed with Rett syndrome. Why that’s such a rarity
The Today Show recently reported the sad story of Henry Engel—the toddler son of correspondent Richard Engel and his wife Mary Forrest who ...
Could modern influenza outbreaks escalate into devastating pandemics like the 1918 ‘Spanish Flu’?
It is unlikely that we will ever experience anything like the 1918 outbreak, but researchers say we could see outbreaks ...
Waging war against the mosquito: Split-gene drive could hinder spread of Zika
The use of split-gene drives could alleviate the concerns of critics who worry about unexpected effects of releasing gene-edited mosquitos ...
Marrying close relatives offers genetic risks and benefits for offspring
Endogamy is a powerful but controversial cultural tool. It also can play surprising roles in health and disease ...
Human muscles from stem cells: Advance could aid research into muscular dystrophy, other diseases
Muscle created with stem cells is not quite as strong as the researchers would like. But they think these new ...
Viewpoint: Headline-grabbing attempt to edit living human’s DNA needs reality check
For the first time, doctors have attempted to edit faulty genes inside the body of a human patient — a ...
Finding meaning in the music of our genes
There is a musical pattern to our DNA, and it may help us understand how genes work and pinpoint diseases ...
Learning what Alzheimer’s does to the brain could lead to personalized treatments
Researchers are learning more about the causes and progression of the disease. This leads them to suggest that new treatment ...
Sex and genetics: We’re looking for someone who isn’t an exact match of ourselves
We know that both men and woman are attracted to each other's shapes. But human sexual desire, and partner preference, ...
Deepening the nature v. nurture debate: How hormones impact development in the womb is often most key
Hormones released into an expectant mother's bloodstream may affect the child's intelligence, mental health and susceptibility to stress, among other ...
I was diagnosed with breast cancer. How genetic testing guided what to do next.
Genetics counselor and writer Ricki Lewis explains how a breast cancer diagnosis led her to genetic testing—and why she decided ...
Does the shape of your face affect your odds of success or failure in life?
The science of facial structures has advanced tremendously in recent years, leading to a number of applications and a deeper ...
Viewpoint: Oprah for president? Junk science enabler?
Oprah Winfrey’s recent speech at the Golden Globes captured the imagination of countless people with rumors spreading that it could ...
Artificial intelligence: How can we regulate without stifling innovation?
There is disagreement among some of the top minds in technology when it comes to the subject of regulating artificial ...
Treating the concussion epidemic: Could spit tests identify those most likely to recover slowly?
A study found that microRNA in the saliva may offer early warning signs about a person's likelihood of recovering quickly ...
‘Junk DNA’: Mining our genome’s dark matter for new disease treatments
The term junk DNA was used to describe sequences that that do not code for proteins. Largely ignored by researchers, ...
Male pregnancy may be closer than you think
As women begin to receive uterine transplants, the question is being asked of when they will be available for men ...
Even if you don’t believe in God, religion may shape your subconscious thinking
Although non-believers reject religion, Christian beliefs still shape much of Western thought. Both believers and non-believers have similar subconscious attitudes ...
