Human 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
Germline modification: Should people have the right to be disabled?
We're on the verge of using genetic therapy to remove the risk of disability in unborn children. Would doing so ...
Artificial muscles from yarn and fishing line
From humble parts – fishing line or nylon thread – researchers have produced artificial muscles that can lift 100 times ...
We should use genetic engineering to treat disease, not fundamentally alter future children
The mitochondrial manipulation that the FDA is considering would start us down the slippery slope toward human experimentation with unknown ...
FDA asked to approve “three-parent” IVF
We don't know enough about embryonic development to know that IVF with mitochondrial DNA donors is a good idea ...
Promise of “easy” stem cells comes under investigation
Two breakthrough papers in Nature highlight a remarkable new technique for creating totipotent stem cells via a simple acid bath ...
Are genetically-enhanced Olympians coming, or already here?
Athletes may someday use today's gene therapy techniques to illicitly blow past the competition through gene doping. In fact, maybe ...
Human Genome Diversity Project preserves detailed info of isolated population groups
The recent "Genetic Atlas of Human Admixture History" shines a light on the useful, unique, and publicly available Human Genome ...
Memory — not perception — might be key to dyslexia
If auditory processing is at the core of the frustrating disorder dyslexia, then dyslexic musicians shouldn't exist. But they do ...
Ancient genetics may lead to future treatment for gout
We're susceptible to gout because of a mutated gene in humans and other primates that prevents us from producing uricase, ...
Gay people are not genetic aberrations
The recent gay gene "finding" hasn't been peer reviewed, doesn't amount to much scientifically, and opens the door to the ...
Ancient Native American DNA remains present ethical minefield
Sequencing the genome of an ancient Native American reveals more about American history, and underscores the difficult, delicate dance of ...
New bionic hand includes a sense of touch
Sensory feedback is what will turn future prostheses from tools into hands; a breakthrough bionic hand represents a first step ...
IBM’s Watson and DNA mapping to improve drug prescription process
Scott Megill hopes that his company can bridge the gap between physicians and geneticists and provide personalized patient predictions of ...
Genetic Atlas: Human history of moving around and fooling around
New statistical approaches are giving us our first real shot at pulling apart the genome to see when human populations ...
IQ gene? Uh-oh, scientists believe they have found one
Scientists have identified a gene linking the thickness of the grey matter in the brain to intelligence; it may help ...
Rewriting the genome with surgical precision
New, precise methods for genome engineering, like CRISPR and TALENs are poised to change the face of genetic disease ...
New method of locating and targeting mutations promises “letter by letter” genome editing
A new method of identifying the exceedingly rare and difficult-to-pinpoint mutations in the human genome gives researchers unprecedented ability to ...
Rose scented trees? Genetic modification could create safe chemical factories
A Washington State University project aims to turn poplars into factories for premium chemicals like 2-phenylethanol, which is what gives ...
Preparing for the inevitable: DNA tests for newborns
Today, parents don't need to deal with the knowledge of genetic pitfalls that might lie ahead for their offspring. But ...
Emerging tools for synthetic biology in plants
Despite the serious complexity of multicelluar organisms, synthetic biology in plants has been progressing rapidly. This editorial examines the way ...
Acid bath stem cell method may work for human cells
Scientists may have used the newly-discovered environmental stress method for inducing pluripotency in human cells. This could change everything ...
The cross-species merger that made life as we know it possible
The transition from the classic prokaryotic, nucleus-free model to the deluxe eukaryotic one is arguably the most important event in ...
What’s it really like to work in biotech?
The life of a scientist in biotechnology is demanding, but there's a good chance that you could positively impact human ...
Brain science pioneer shifts focus of NIMH to basic neuroscience and genetics
Drain science pioneer Dr. Thomas R. Insel, now director of the National Institute of Mental Health, has sharply shifted the ...
Smartphone game seeks to cure cancer
Crowd-sourcing and video games come together in the fight against cancer as researchers release a game which will allow smartphone ...
FDA should allow 23andMe to carry on
23andMe's genetic testing health results help people take ownership of their health and prompt them to make lifestyle adjustments (not ...
Genetic screening of embryos thwarts disease and creates ethical questions
Screening embryos for IVF lets parents avoid passing on deadly genetic diseases. But selecting according to gender or disease risk ...
