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
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 ...
Should it matter if the public is wary of gene editing and human enhancement?
A survey of people in the US and 10 European nations found opposition to some forms of gene editing for ...
TRAPPIST-1 mini-planetary system and what it means for the spread of life between worlds
Only a few dozen known worlds as small as the rocky worlds of our inner Solar System and orbiting within ...
Italian family’s inability to feel pain spurs research on relief for chronic sufferers
The six members of the family barely notice broken bones or severe burns. Researchers have identified the mutation behind their ...
What differentiates humans from chimps: Differing DNA or different expression of similar genes
Scientists have found genetic changes that make brains bigger and may help explain why we are so different from chimpanzees ...
Molecular clocks rewriting the story of human evolution
Analyzing DNA from present-day and ancient genomes provides a complementary approach for dating evolutionary events. By comparing DNA sequences, geneticists ...
Viewpoint: Why so many scientific studies are flawed and poorly understood
With misleading conclusions often reported from scientific research, it's important to be able to discern between legitimate studies and dubious ...
Gene therapy challenge: How much should it cost and how do we pay for it?
When evaluating the high prices of one-time gene therapy treatments, should we look to the costs of organ transplants when ...
Chasing a cure for narcolepsy—and why it should be a priority
For the first 20 years of his life, Henry Nicholls had a healthy relationship with sleep. Shortly after his 21st ...
Why all identical twins who are overweight are not identically obese
Identical twins have the same genomes, but they don't always look exactly the same, particularly in regards to weight. Science ...
Turning night owls into early birds? It may soon be possible
The discovery of a genetic mutation linked to night owl behavior raises the prospect of a drug treatment that would ...
Anatomy of the demon Demogorgon from ‘Stranger Things’: Is there a real-life counterpart?
The Demogorgon, a creature from the hit Netflix show 'Stranger Things', resembles real life cellular slime mold ...
Kissing cousins: Understanding the genetic risks and benefits when close relatives marry
Endogamy––the marriage of relatives––is a controversial cultural practice. It can play surprising roles in health and disease ...
Brain addiction: Why stopping drug use is so difficult
Drug addiction is a commonly misunderstood disease. Once addicted, it’s not only about pleasure seeking or choice, but chemical reactions ...
Synaesthesia: For those who lose their sight, colors can have sound
Vanessa Potter lost her sight. As she recovered, her senses mingled – hearing and touch changed the way she saw ...
Does air pollution reach the womb, eventually leading to heart disease and shorter lives?
New research gives expectant mothers reason to be more cautious with air pollution, which can cause damage to the critical ...
Genetics of mental health yield surprising connections but no cures
Scientists are slowly uncovering the genes and mechanisms that cause mental health disorders, but we are a long way from ...
Searching for extraterrestrial life: Finding the right communication technology
Scientists are looking for evidence of extraterrestrial communication across interstellar space. But what if other intelligent life forms are using ...
