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
Genome editing: Is it a national security threat?
Is genome editing really so powerful that it could do major damage, either accidentally, or through foul play? Or is ...
Message to college students: How your all nighters affect your learning and memory
The all-nighter is now as synonymous with a college student's life as the frat party, but it is detrimental to ...
Mitochondrial therapy—More than “three parent” babies—Stalls in ethical battle
Mitchondria DNA replacement is much more than "three parent babies." It might treat a wide range of diseases ...
Chimeric organ transplants: Science and ethics of growing human organs in pigs
Scientists may soon offer a solution to the organ shortage by growing human organs in pigs. But that poses prickly ...
New drug approved for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as mystery disease causes come into focus
Viruses and our human genes tend to co-mingle and cause structural and functional changes--is that what's causing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? ...
Jon Lester, Mario Lemieux, Lance Armstrong—Why do so many athletes in their prime get cancer?
Why do some studies show that athletes--the fittest amongst us--show peculiarly high rates of some cancers? ...
CRISPR genome editing could be game changer in war against antibiotic resistance
Using CRISPR genome editing, researchers are starting a new trend, which is to strip pathogenic bacteria of their acquired armor ...
Epigenetics, pregnancy and the Holocaust: How trauma can shape future generations
The fetus of pregnant moms who experience traumatic events are permanently effected? Are the changes passed down to future generations? ...
DIY CRISPR-Cas9: Should we fear or embrace programmable gene editing kits for the home?
When you hear about do-it-yourself CRISPR, you may imagine amateurs cooking up something dangerous in their kitchens. But that is ...
Gene therapy 2.0: Will CRISPR make expensive treatment accessible to all?
Gene therapy, at a million dollars a treatment, will run up a patient's medical bill quickly. Can CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing ...
Kenyans sweep distance races, Jamaicans sprints: How evolution has shaped elite sports
The results of the Rio Olympics, especially in track and field events, reinforce the now widely accepted theory that evolution ...
Epigenetic Zs: Could a bad night’s sleep alter your genes?
Sleep deprivation can not only ruin your day, it may change your DNA ...
Olympic health update: Zika vaccines, GMO mosquitoes, and snake oils
There's progress on a vaccine to combat as well as biotech solutions but there are also fake Zika solutions being ...
Will epigenetics play central role in advancement of precision medicine?
For many treatments it remains to be proven whether a drug's epigenetic actions, rather than another mechanism such as stimulation ...
Is crowdsourcing key to finding cures for genetic-based diseases like depression?
Fifteen gene loci are linked to depression using 23andMe user data in the most comprehensive study of the disease yet ...
Synthetic biologists developing cells programmed to target, destroy cancer
Synthetic biology might be ready to graduate from cells engineered to perform only one task to multiple cells in a ...
Science communicators condemn Facebook’s censorship of pro-science “We Love GMOs and Vaccines”
Anti-GMO and anti-vaccine activists--many of them are the same--have manipulated Facebook to shut down a pro science site, stirring sharp ...
Humans who can’t feel pain pointing way to non-addictive painkillers
Genes linked to pain detection and perception may be physiological targets for new, non-addictive painkillers ...
Tale of two sites: Science communication pitfalls covering Alzheimer’s drug
The same drug trial has been covered in completely different ways by various news outlets. It serves as a lesson ...
Y-chromosome not going extinct, but losing it may be risk factor for Alzheimer disease
The story of the Y chromosome began about 300 million years ago, when the ancestors of mammals diverged from reptiles ...
How many genomes is enough for US Precision Medicine Initiative?
FDA head says Precision Medicine Initiative should sequence one in every four Americans. Where will that money come from? And ...
Another modern myth: Shrinking attention spans
Are modern conveniences and technology causing our attention spans to shrink? No, actually they're just adapting ...
Transhumanism and 2016 Presidential race
Trump? Clinton? Johnson? How about Zoltan Istvan, he's the Transhumanist Party 2016 presidential candidate ...
Autism in our DNA? Slew of studies points to genetics as main driver, but there is no ‘autism gene’
Researchers are unlocking the mystery of autism's origin. Yes, it's mostly 'in the genes,' but what that means is one ...
40th anniversary of NASA’s Project Viking and beginning of search for Martian life
40 years ago, Project Viking first landed on Mars. NASA would conclude that the project found no evidence of life ...
Designer babies vs. Designing your baby: Can personal genomics harm your children?
You can now optimize your baby's life based on their personal genetics. But should you? ...
NASA’s spaceflight DNA sequencer: What will it do for science and medicine?
DNA sequencing equipment will be on board an upcoming mission to space. If Martian microbes exist, then this is one ...
