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
New York Times flunks genetic literacy challenge: No, mutations don’t kill-off genes
The New York Times failed a recent genetic literacy 'test' in a story on the genetic roots of diabetes ...
Evil twin of embryos: The tumor
Researchers are finding that the genes and biological mechanisms that guide the development of fetal cells within a fetus are ...
Chicken genomes and human history: What can the DNA of our animal associates can reveal about our past?
A new study uses chicken genetics to poke holes in the theory that Polynesians reached South America before Europeans. It ...
Resurrection ecology: Searching for ancient DNA
Scientists can revive thousand-year dormant mosses and they're searching for viable cells that would make it possible to revive extinct ...
Bionic plants developed at MIT focus on the “tech” half of biotech
Researchers at MIT have enhanced plants' abilities using nanomaterials, specifically carbon nanotubes. The cyborg plants can perform supercharged photosynthesis or ...
Does success come from your parents? New book supports genetic determinism
A new book supports the idea that socio-economic success is mostly a result of genetics. The idea that humans behavior ...
Angelina turns to another preventative surgery, based on BRCA1 mutation
Angelina Jolie's mutation-inspired preventative double mastectomy raised public awareness of the risks associated with BRCA1 mutations. Now, she's looking at ...
The selfish gene debate: The power of stories in science and society
Science writer David Dobbs wrote an article late last year calling for a new narrative to help us understand evolution ...
DNA and the masses: Genetics as identity
You can have your DNA sequenced faster, easier and more completely than ever before. ln light of these advances, it's ...
‘Fat gene’ stands falsely accused, offers lesson in gene-gene interactions
For much of the last decade, a gene called FTO has been touted as a 'fat gene'. Now it seems ...
23andMe slowed by FDA order, but the company (and personalized medicine) advances
23andMe's conflict with the FDA has slowed the stream of people subscribing to the service, but co-founder Anne Wojcicki thinks ...
Teen identifies rare mutation in her own cancer, champions new age of open-access genetics
Elana Simon, an 18-year-old high school student, has published a "groundbreaking" genetic study of her own rare cancer in Science ...
Acid bath stem cell method scientist retracts study
The researchers behind the acid bath stem cell method that caused a stir in January have asked to retract the ...
Elephant intellect: Genius in the largest brain on land
Scientists are finally probing the elephant brain to find out how cooperative problem solving, tool use, and even self-awareness can ...
Greater variety of pre-natal screenings now offered
The list of available pre-natal genetic screening tests is growing. The tests are non-invasive and generally have a low false-positive ...
Was Lamarck right? Epigenetic research suggests we might inherit learned traits. But how?
It seems almost certain that epigenetic effects -- an annotation to DNA that changes how genes are expressed -- can ...
Genetics, digital revolution driving pharmaceutical renaissance
Modern molecular biology and genomics were supposed to lead to a targeted approach to drug development, but in fact our ...
Genetic entrepreneur J. Craig Venter to tackle the problem of human aging
Craig Venter sequenced the first human genome. He made the first synthetic cell. And now, for his next trick, he's ...
Largest-ever virus discovered in (and revived from) 30,000-year-old permafrost
A record-setting little giant---the biggest virus ever discovered---has been revived from 30,000-year-old Siberian permafrost with little more than a thaw ...
Chromosomal fusion shows when you, me, and the Neanderthals evolutionarily split from great apes
Orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos have 24 chromosome pairs. But humans and our closest extinct ancestors have 23 as a ...
Horshoe crabs bleed for biomedicine
The bright blue blood of horseshoe crabs is a biomedical treasure, but harvesting the blood of these unique creatures seems ...
Without accurate genome sequencing, personalized medicine is a goner
It's hard to correctly read every one of the six-billion base pairs in a human genome. But without precision sequencing, ...
Slate slashes New York Times and Center for Genetics and Society for faux ‘designer baby’ scare tactics
The Center for Genetics and Society created a splash in the NYT this week with its all-too-familiar attack on mitochondrial ...
Can farmers reduce toxic agricultural chemicals by tricking pests with pheromone-producing biotech plants?
Pesticides are necessary evil in farming, and are likely to remain so. But what if we could replace some of ...
US grants a patent for fradulent stem cell creation method
The 2004 results of Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk's stem cell creation method were fake, but the U.S. Patent office granted ...
Video: When it comes to sports success, genes matter most
David Epstein, author of "The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance" discusses the ways that human biological ...
A forensic approach to canine waste management
If you want to get an idea of how advanced a technology has become, you could look at the most ...
