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
Does CRISPR clinical trial on humans proposal bring more questions than answers?
Researchers have proposed the first human trials involving CRISPR gene editing. Is this really a landmark moment for human genetics? ...
Swan song for antibiotics? Can phage therapy and gene editing fill the gap?
Antibiotics revolutionized medicine, but nature has found a work around. What tools are left for scientists? ...
What can sequencing da Vinci’s genome teach us about genius?
A team of scientists wants to sequence Leonardo da Vinci’s genome using DNA taken from his works of art and ...
Did Interbreeding with humans give dwindling Neanderthals new lease on life?
Did ancient human's arrival in Europe actually help Neanderthals and not hurt them as most popular theories suggest? ...
Creating a synthetic human–Do science and ethics collide?
A controversy over a 'closed' meeting of 150 scientists discussing the latest research into synthetic biology in humans has sparked ...
SynBio tobacco plant that produces vital malaria drug met with skepticism by scientists
A vital—yet hard to manufacture—malaria drug can now be made easily via transgenic tobacco plants, yet many scientists are underwhelmed ...
Eve of Mars colonization: Moon as test base for pregnancy in fractional gravity
Before anyone attempts pregnancy on Mars, we need to be sure if that would work, but recently NASA announced plans ...
How our brains respond to mass shootings
Hollywood and the US government tend to share unrealistic scenarios for avoiding mass shootings. Neither accounts for how our brains ...
Janet Jackson pregnant at 50: Should aging moms and dads facing pregnancy worry?
Janet Jackson and her husband are now part of a growing trend of older parents, conventional wisdom says they should ...
Gene driving to combat insect-borne diseases: Powerful tool requiring science diplomacy
Gene drives raise ethical and practical concerns. What are the communication challenges? ...
Why men like women’s curves: How big a role has evolution played?
Evidence has been building in support of the belief that sexual attraction is hardwired, linked to evolution. But the case ...
‘3 person IVF’ closer to reality as cure for mitochondrial diseases
Scientists in the UK have taken a major step forward in perfecting '3 person IVF' embryos—a major step towards curing ...
Experts split on whether current regulations can handle coming synthetic biology boom
As synthetic biology innovations make their way to market, questions arise on how these innovations will be regulated ...
Jon Entine on why ‘race’ matters in shaping the world’s elite athletes
With the Olympic Games on the horizon, Jon Entine explores why so many sports seem to be dominated by particular ...
Autoimmune diseases: Why our body sometimes turns on itself
Scientists have discovered how a gene mutation can lead to diseases that occur when the immune system attacks the body ...
Proposal for second Human Genome Project draws mix of criticism and acclaim
A group of scientists have proposed a bold plan to build the human genome from scratch that could greatly benefit ...
It’s not cancer: Removing cancer label from some conditions may greatly improve care
A common thyroid tumor is reclassified as ‘not cancer.’ Will our growing knowledge cancer genetics lead to more reclassifications? ...
Synthetic biology on a piece of paper: Brighter future for disease diagnostics?
A new technology that allows synthetic gene circuits to be printed on paper could allow us to cheaply and accurately ...
Can CRISPR make cheap, GM-based WMDs?
The U.S. Director of National Intelligence for the first time lists a genetics technique as a possible instrument of terrorism, ...
Understanding IQ: What race horses, Eskimos, NBA centers and you have in common
To understand how individual intelligence forms, we have to know more than just someone's inherited genetic characteristics ...
Heard of CRISPR gene editing? It can save your life
Science is in the midst of a CRISPR craze as the technology is poised to improve treatment and prevention of ...
LSD redux: Psychedelics may help brain functioning
Research on psychoactive drugs like LSD fell out of favor more than 40 years ago. Now, they're back and may ...
Humans have innate ability to assess probability, but odds are we’re a bit off
Humans have an innate ability to assess probability, as evidenced by a recent study of remote populations in Guatemala, but ...
Genetics may contribute to when we lose our virginity, but other factors still dominate
Data now suggest genes involved in puberty and psychological development also affect when we start having sex, but how believable ...
Human preservation: Will advances in cryobiology change science fiction to science fact?
Cryonics may sound very sci-fi and many liken its followers to those of some 'New Age religion'. Yet cryonics could ...
Was Harvard meeting on synthesizing human genome too “secretive”?
A meeting at Harvard synthesizing a human genome from scratch drew criticism for its apparent secrecy. Was the criticism warranted ...
Advances in genetic research enhancing our understanding of human evolution
New data on early humans are coming in with increasing frequency and this has to do with advances in molecular ...
