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
Brave new world? Why the public might be ready for gene-edited babies
Gene-editing tools like CRISPR/Cas9 are rapidly bringing the possibilities forward ...
How a fetus’s developing brain may be shaped by mom’s mental state
Stress and anxiety during pregnancy can mean a higher risk of offspring developing ADHD, depression or other conditions. Medical psychologist ...
DNA databases as crime deterrent: As more ‘cold cases’ are solved, are would-be criminals growing wary?
Some research suggests the mere existence of DNA databases may now be helping to prevent crime. But even if that’s ...
Kim Kardashian West’s battle with psoriatic arthritis: Will understanding the genetics of the autoimmune disorder point to a cure?
While there is no cure, appropriate and early treatment can help prevent major damage to affected parts of the body ...
Why the quest to ‘cure’ cancer may be destined to fail
Many of the risk factors to do with cancer are related to lifestyle, so there is concrete action people can ...
Religious beliefs shape our thinking on cloning, stem cells and gene editing
Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam react to new technologies in their own ways ...
Is ‘natural’ better than ‘artificial’? Skincare products underscore why that view is wrongheaded
Synthetic and 'chemical-sounding' preservatives in cosmetics are safer than the alternatives that are marketed as 'natural' ...
Treating ‘suicidality’ as its own medical condition could spur research, better treatment options
There is no established method of identifying patients in immediate danger of attempting suicide. Some researchers are trying to change ...
Our brains as hard drives—could we delete, modify or add memories and skills?
Research suggests it might one day be possible to tweak our brains -- eliminating traumatic memories or granting new skills, ...
Podcast: From Jurassic Park to woolly mammoths – is it right to bring back extinct species?
Geneticist Kat Arney takes a look at the science of de-extinction, asking whether it's feasible - or even ethical - ...
Expensive CAR-T therapy raises difficult question: ‘What is the price of a human life?’
A new type of therapy for certain blood cancers is ingenious but it raises important questions about its cost, both ...
Can we find the keys to drug abuse, opioid addiction in our genes?
We still have much to learn about genetics, addiction, and even the brain itself ...
Our brains on trial: How new imaging technology could alter the way courts view ‘neurolaw’ defenses when determining guilt
States of mind that the legal system cares about — memory, responsibility and mental maturity — have long been difficult ...
Can genetic screening help identify soldiers less likely to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder?
Research offers new support for the idea that genetics can play a key role in determining why some people develop ...
Why it’s so challenging to determine ‘how and when’ humans first set foot in the Americas
A deluge of new findings are challenging long-held scientific narratives of how humans came to North and South America ...
Genetically modified mosquitoes are a small price to pay for malaria eradication
Will opponents of gene engineering deny prevention to suffering families? ...
How the pursuit of better education, career opportunities may be creating regional genetic inequalities
Highlighting non-ancestral genetic differences could be an important step in alleviating the harmful results of social stratification ...
Podcast: CRISPR advances, HIV cures and a perfect predator for superbugs
Exploring the latest advances in medical biotechnology including CRISPR-based gene therapies, infection-fighting viruses and a cure for HIV. Plus reflections ...
Podcast: Can we ‘outsmart’ cancer with synthetic biology? Dr. Tim Lu talks customized disease treatments
On this episode of Biotech Facts and Fallacies, Tim Lu talks to Cameron English about Senti's progress toward "outsmarting complex ...
Enduring misconception: Why are we still drawing evolution as a straight line?
Evolution has no final endpoint in mind ...
Why making healthy babies in space should be quite the adventure
Biologists sent brain organoids to the International Space Station to see how microgravity will affect developing babies ...
Can DNA predict a person’s facial features? New forensic tool gets us closer, by deducing hair, eye and skin color
Could DNA testing predict faces to go with found body parts? ...
If we aren’t careful, we could miss the chance to learn cancer-fighting secrets from threatened whales and elephants
The loss of vulnerable mammals means scientists could miss out on useful quirks in their genetics ...
Viewpoint: Netflix’s horror movie ‘Eli’ is a fright. But why did they have to ‘tarnish gene therapy’?
Attempts to treat genetic disease shouldn’t be the stuff of horror films ...
For synthetic biology to reach its potential, building new chromosomes from scratch must become commonplace—and we may be getting close
Many of the needed technological breakthroughs can be achieved in the next several years ...
‘Drink like there is tomorrow’: Inside the quest to prevent hangovers with a GMO probiotic
Engineered probiotics and other microbes provide amazing opportunities ...
How NASA’s struggle with radiation-resistant microbe could help us understand infections
Bacteria have infiltrated sterile rooms NASA used to build space equipment. Studying what happens to them in outer space could ...
