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
Smoking and health: Genetic revolution transforming medical marijuana and tobacco
Our increased understanding of plant genetics has potential to help smokers quit and provide patients with the medicinal benefits of ...
Evolution and war: The ‘deep roots’ theory of human violence
War has long been viewed as a way for societies to acquire wealth and power, even though it often doesn't ...
Drug weapons: Computer designed proteins prepare to battle the next pandemic
Researchers are using computer modeling to design new antiviral proteins that could slow down, or stop, global outbreaks of deadly ...
Bladder control: Is there a genetic treatment for urinary incontinence?
Treatment options for urinary incontinence may be revealed through a genome-wide association study searching for genes that may contribute to ...
Transgenic spider silk: About superheroes, medical devices and space elevators
Maybe you'd like to be bullet proof like Superman or shoot silk from your body to fling between buildings like ...
Mummy DNA: Ancient Egyptians more Middle Eastern than today’s African-mixed population
Scientists have extracted and sequenced DNA from 151 Egyptian mummies with more certainty than ever. They found that ancient Egyptians ...
Are doctors disregarding racial genetic risk factors when treating patients?
We know that some population groups are at greater risk for developing certain diseases. But a recent study says many ...
HIV fix: Can gene editing work alongside the virus to provide a cure?
HIV is no longer a death sentence in much of the developed world. But effective treatment in developing nations needs ...
Poop doping: No, elite athletes can’t improve performance by optimizing gut bacteria
The sports, science and mainstream media have circulated a scientist's claim that optimizing gut bacteria is the secret to elite ...
Settling of the Americas: Searching for pieces of the puzzle
DNA analysis of two ancient infants adds to evidence that humans stayed on the Bering strait for thousands of years ...
Pigs as human organ incubators? Pork producers gear up for potential demand
The pork industry is watching the potentially lucrative market that could be driven by a surge in demand for pigs ...
Cancer quest: Can we drive down the cost of promising immunotherapy treatments?
The so-called fourth pillar of cancer therapy still has a major drawback - high cost that make gold appear cheap ...
Epigenetics Around the Web: Trump isn’t affecting human evolution and organic produce isn’t helping your sperm
Is Donald Trump adversely affecting human evolution? One professor's opinion shows how the left politicizes science too; Men's Health quotes ...
Deep-space travel, colonization may rely on genetically engineered life forms
Space exploration fires the imagination but presents many practical challenges—among them, how humans or organisms chosen to accompany us can ...
Moroccan fossils: New thinking on human evolution shaped by technological advancements
In recent years, we have witnessed an acceleration of discoveries related to the evolution of humanity. This is due to ...
Modern people making Stone Age tools offers glimpse into evolution of intelligence
The brain networks we rely on for complex tasks were likely evolving around 1.8 million years ago--allowing our ancestors to ...
Epigenetics Around the Web: Q&A on hype of epigenetics and health link on Reddit Science ‘Ask Me Anything’
Epigenetics Literacy Project's Nicholas Staropoli took to Reddit Science to answer questions and debunk myths about the budding, yet controversial, ...
Can zapping our brains with electricity boost learning?
A new study sheds light on why transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) -- now being tried by do-it-yourselfers -- doesn't ...
Bell Curve redux: Is the science of intelligence too taboo to research?
A new study identified genes linked to intelligence while a recent interview of political scientist Charles Murray, co-author of The ...
How to resist health scares: Review of Geoffrey Kabat’s ‘Getting Risk Right’
Public health regulations, particularly as regards to chemicals, are often driven by precautionary fears stirred by sloppy reporting sparked by ...
CRISPR study reporting ‘off-target mutations’ draws skepticism from other researchers
A new study found an alarming number of “off-target mutations” in mice that had their genes edited with CRISPR. But ...
Read ELP’s Nicholas Staropoli Reddit Science ‘Ask Me Anything’ on Epigenetics: Hype and Health
Editor’s Note: On Friday, June 2nd from 1pm–3pm EDT, ELP director Nicholas Staropoli hosted a Reddit-science Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) about the hype surrounding ...
Question of intelligence: How much can we attribute to our genes?
A new study offers evidence that intelligence is primarily affected by our genes. But that doesn't mean education, healthy living ...
Epigenetics Around the Web: Microbiome boom; and What links Native American repatriations to epigenetics? Nothing
This week’s features: CNN story on UCLA professor botches 'epigenetics and Indians'; and why you shouldn't trust personalized microbiome tests--yet ...
What role might genes play in ‘creating’ terrorists?
As more terrorism sweeps across the globe, scientists begin to look at a biological basis for organized violent behavior ...
Lose energy after eating broccoli or taking aspirin? Mystery behind salicylate intolerance
The rare disorder has proven difficult for doctors to diagnose, but some estimates suggest the condition is more common than ...
Can the evolution of elephants show us how to treat, prevent cancer?
Elephants have had 55 million years to figure out how to resist cancer. An analysis shows that elephants express many ...
