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
Female promiscuity a pragmatic approach to survival
New research suggests that female primates seek out multiple sexual partners as an evolutionary strategy and opportunistically shift that strategy ...
Debate over ‘selfish gene’ theory heats up
A recent article by science writer David Dobbs argued for the need to revise the “selfish gene” theory, prompting a ...
Are male contraceptives on the horizon?
Using a new approach, scientists have come up with a male contraceptive that has proven 100% effective in early test ...
Video: Bill Gates on why the future needs biomedical innovation
On Monday, Bill Gates delivered the 2013 David E. Barmes Global Health Lecture on the need for biomedical innovation to ...
Is same-sex coupling a matter of genetics or choice?
A new report has found that nearly a third of Laysan albatross pairs on Oahu are of the same gender, ...
Do animals inherit basic memories through sperm, epigenetics?
New research from scientists at Emory University suggests that mice inherit specific smell memories from their fathers, even when the offspring have ...
Failed promise of 23andMe
Since scientists first sequenced the human genome, we've dreamed of a clear genetic explanation for diseases and behaviors. It hasn't ...
It may not be romantic, but genomics are part of the dating game now
Genetic testing is poised to play a big role reproduction planning and even romance. And that future might not be ...
The future of ancient DNA–Can we remake extinct species?
The study of ancient DNA has come a long way in recent years, forcing scientists to rethink much of human ...
Can we slow the effects of aging?
Google's new company, Calico, is attempting to battle the effects of aging and many suspect the company will go one ...
Is the Food and Drug Administration killing personalized medicine?
The Food and Drug Administration's outdated regulatory requirements are choking pharmaceutical innovations in personal genomics and molecular medicine ...
Bio-artist uses bacteria and antibiotics to color textiles
Bio-artist Anna Dumitriu uses deadly bacteria, such as MRSA, and antibiotics to color textiles in an attempt to challenge the relationship ...
Researchers hammering away at a chink in HIV’s armor
HIV evades the immune system by use of a protein coat. Now researchers have shown that the coat can be ...
In Israel, push to screen for breast and ovarian cancer genes leaves many conflicted
Israeli Jews, facing the world's highest incidences of breast and ovarian cancer, but among the lowest rates of mastectomies, are ...
First Americans were Europeans. Sort of. It’s complicated.
Native Americans, who have a significant amount of East Asian genes, are thought to have first traveled to America from ...
Texas School Board beats back anti-evolution proponents in approving new science textbooks
The Texas State Board of Education has voted to adopt high school textbooks including accurate instruction on evolution and climate ...
New, fast sequencing process uses online databases to ID new viruses
It can take weeks or months to identify a new virus, but only days for one to kill, so researchers ...
Project that resurrected extinct frog one of 2013’s “best inventions”
Time magazine named the Lazarus project--a project that created an embryo of an extinct frog species from non-living genetic material--one ...
Could humans communicate with dolphins in the near future?
Animal researchers are working on a project that would allow humans to communicate with free-swimming dolphins in real time ...
Battle developing over GM insects poised to fight olive pests
Scientists are developing GM insects to combat diseases and pests, but face opposition from anti-biotech organizations. If a field trial ...
Old age is programmed in human embryos
Researchers found senescent cells--normally associated with old and damaged tissue--in embryos. Now, they suspect senescence plays a role in differentiating ...
Genetics pioneer and Nobel winner Frederick Sanger dies
Biochemist and Nobel laureate Frederick Sanger died at age 95 on November 19th. His work created the basic tool kit ...
Scientists grow ‘mini-kidneys’ from human stem cells
For the first time ever, researchers have grown cell structures similar to adult kidney cells. The research could open doors ...
Life in genetic limbo: You’ve got the gene but, so far, no disorder
Genetic testing is teaching some people they have the genetic markers of disease, but no symptoms yet. Neither patients nor ...
Can organisms evolve the ability to evolve?
A new study finds that bacteria, like the species that spreads lyme disease, may have evolved the ability to evolve ...
Genetics of the human gut microbiome might be the next big thing
Even genetically similar individuals play host to vastly different communities of gut bacteria, a study says--a reminder of how little ...
Scientists demonstrate creativity of natural selection with E. coli research
Biologists at Michigan State University have frozen 50,000 generations of E. coli over the past 25 years to demonstrate Darwin’s ...
