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
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 ...
Scientists create fertile sperm from mice stem cells — Does this translate to humans?
Scientists have made sperm cells from stem cells in vitro, while most are excited about the achievement, ethical and biological ...
Sex not as simple as X and Y
Everybody assumed that the Y chromosome's sole purpose was to rigidly assign male sex. The truth is much more complicated ...
Link between inflammation and cancer
People with chronic inflammatory conditions may be more susceptible to DNA-induced cell mutations which could contribute to getting cancer ...
Scoop on ‘leaky gut syndrome’–And effect of pathogenic gut microbes on health
Do microbes in your gut cause pathologies elsewhere in the body like the heart? ...
Drugs that target ‘epigenetic scars’ may reverse drug addiction
Research is mounting that not only does epigenetics play an important role in drug addiction, it may also provide a ...
Ultimate personal diet plan? Follow your genes
As the obesity problem in America continues, some scientists are looking at how food influences the way our genes behave ...
Madonna may suffer from ‘DNA paranoia’
Madonna is famous for her work on stage particularly her singing and performing, but behind the scenes, she's famous for ...
‘Bad genes’ may not mean you’ll get a disease
Today, personalized medicine hinges on genetic information on risks of disease. Unfortunately, having a disease-associated mutation may bear little to ...
Why is your memory so bad when you’re hungry?
Why is it so hard to think while you're hungry? Researchers now believe it may come down to one protein ...
