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
Epigenetic clinics promise big results, but should public, media be skeptical of claims?
Many companies are promising new cures based on epigenetic tests. How can the media evaluate these claims and report them ...
Despite recent reports, vegetarianism does not cause cancer
A recent study reported on the evolution of a 'vegetarian gene' in populations. Somehow the press turned this into: vegetarianism ...
Next-generation genetics offer new way to combat hospital infections
In the face of antibiotic resistant bacteria, hospitals still use century-old detection methods. New gene sequencing methods will change that ...
Artificial uterus: How close is the reality?
Nobody is working on an artificial uterus that can carry a fetus for the entirety of a pregnancy. But medical ...
Can epigenetics explain the negative effects of smoking during pregnancy?
It is widely known that smoking during pregnancy has negative impacts on the future child. Could epigenetics underlie the link ...
Reflections on Craig Venter’s synbio creation: Life, from scratch
A high profile team creates a bacteria by building its genome block by block, but what's the point? ...
You think “eugenics” is a discredited practice? Think again, it’s back.
Is eugenics a historical evil poised for a comeback? Or is it a noble but oft-abused concept, finally being done ...
Can DNA identify injury-prone athletes? Soccer giant Barcelona believes so. Should you?
Some sports teams have experimented with using personalized genetic data to help manage player injuries, despite the science on this ...
Did life begin in intense heat or cold? Maybe both
Earth's Archaeon eon, the time when life emerged, may not have been as hot as scientists had previous thought. But ...
Our microbiome: Separating hype from health
What impact does our microbiome have on our health? A lot claim many, but we have a long way to ...
Genetic analysis shows lasting effects of caste system on health of modern Indians
Modern genetic analysis shows that India's caste system still has a significant affect on the health and biology of modern ...
Boy’s death highlights need for reform, more oversight in medical genetics
A lab mischaracterizes a rare genetic mutation and a boy dies. The boy's case shows how our standards for reporting ...
Voting genes: Are political views inherited?
There are dozens of studies showing correlations between genes political attitudes, but the fact is the genetic information in our ...
Genetics of relationships and marriage
Many online dating services claim to use science to match people with their perfect mate. But the science of relationships ...
To every disease there is a season? What our genes tell us
Some diseases occur more frequently in certain seasons. The reasons why involve thousands of genes whose activity are influenced by ...
Cellular clock may help improve cancer treatment, forensic science
Scientists have found that your cells keeps track of aging. This clock may have important implications for how we treat ...
Knowledge of genetic risks from personal DNA tests may not help in changing behavior
With the explosion of personal genetic testing, do we really know if they help you change your behavior for the ...
Gut microbiome’s role in brain, neurological disorders still unsettled, for now
Does the microbiome have any effect on the brain? Possibly, but we're not ready for probiotics for your brain just ...
Enviro activists reject synbio solution for Indonesian palm oil-orangutan crisis
Expanding palm oil demand has increased rainforest deforestation in places like Indonesia. Synthetic biology has a solution: genetically engineered yeast ...
Making monkeys just to suffer: Is new autism model ethical?
Genetic engineers created monkeys that model autism. But some question the ethics of creating such a model when our own ...
Genes identified that extend life
Is the secret to extending human life span written in our genes? Clues from other organisms suggest it might be ...
Why some animals live for centuries and don’t get cancer
There are an increasing number of genetic clues from animals that could provide hints to treating aging and age related ...
Genetics might be able to save the world’s coral reefs
Coral reefs are suffering from bleaching and other effects of climate change. Modern genetic techniques--even GM--might save them ...
With global gene editing slow down, what’s the future of ‘designer babies?’
The prospect of designer babies--the stuff of futuristic movies--is now upon us with the advent of gene editing, stirring confusion ...
Is natural sleep the only kind that counts? Or can we make that artificial, too?
Around the world, people spend billions on sleep. Everyone is looking for a good night's rest. But, amidst all of ...
Why Zika connection to microcephaly, Guillain-Barré hard to prove
Does Zika virus actually cause microcephaly in newborns? Pinning down an answers has been difficult for researchers thus far ...
IVF: Safe method of conception for those with infertility or ‘evolutionary experiment’
An evolutionary biologist called IVF an ‘evolutionary experiment’ and alleges IVF kids will have more health problem. Evidence for these ...
