Human Genetics 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
Genetics might explain preferences of heat or cold
As half the country recovers from record low temperatures, scientists have found that genetics plays an important role in human ...
Shark genome may help explain bone formation
By decoding the genome of the elephant shark, researchers are learning about the genetics of bone formation and bone diseases ...
Could mapped citrus greening genome save the Florida orange?
A University of Florida researcher has mapped the DNA genome of a new strain of citrus greening, which could help ...
DNA may be the best way to preserve data
Recording media and storage devices last decades, but DNA stores information for thousands of years. Maybe we should store our ...
Rumors of the death of consumer genomics greatly exaggerated
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing can offer exciting new ways of understanding ourselves and so far we've only seen the tip of ...
GM salmon could double world production, if ‘Frankenfish’ fears don’t halt progress
A new type of Atlantic salmon, engineered by biotech firm AquaBounty Technologies, could double world production of the fish. But ...
Rumors of the death of consumer genomics greatly exaggerated
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing can offer exciting new ways of understanding ourselves and so far we've only seen the tip of ...
Does reading a novel physically change your brain?
According to a new study, reading a book can physically alter a person's brain. But it seems the researchers might ...
Disruptive genomics: Is China’s BGI the epicenter of the world’s biotech revolution?
What might be the consequences when we isolate the genes for IQ? Is cheap sequencing a good thing? Is there ...
Repeated patterns in DNA may be missing piece of the story of human evolution
Science is just starting to unlock what we can learn from duplicated regions of DNA in the genes of humans ...
Media missed important message when covering Angelina Jolie’s preventative mastectomy
Angelina Jolie's preventative double mastectomy was one of the biggest genetics stories of 2013. But, new studies show, the media ...
Did Pew stumble in its annual poll on support for evolution, exaggerating Republican-Democrat differences??
A new poll, showing Republicans are increasingly skeptical of evolution, is being questioned for seemingly heightening differences in beliefs between ...
‘Brainlike’ computers, able to learn from own mistakes, could arrive in 2014
The first commercial version of a new kind of computer chip, which would allow computers to learn from their own ...
Future pharma: Led by US scientists, glow-in-the-dark pigs bred in China
Pigs engineered with jellyfish DNA to emit a greenish glow in ultraviolet light are a key step in developing effective, ...
Could doctors diagnose all types of cancer with one drop of blood?
Despite incredible diversity among cancer cells, researchers and startup companies are hoping to find a silver bullet test to diagnose ...
Myriad BRCA test Medicare reimbursement rate (and price?) cut
Medicare reimbursement rates for a popular genetic breast cancer test will drop by half in the new year as a ...
When it comes to human brain, size isn’t everything
According to new research, expansion of the brain in our ancestors ripped apart tethered neurons, enabling new circuits to be ...
Reporter David Dobbs revises ‘selfish gene’ coverage under fire
After a controversial article on the Selfish Gene Theory provoked sharp criticism, science writer David Dobbs revised his article and ...
Patents, personal genetics and progress: Top 10 genetics stories of 2013
This year was brimming with genetics news, from the Myriad BRCA test ruling to the obliteration of the idea of ...
Toe fossil provides glimpse into the racy social lives of Neanderthals
A single Neanderthal toe bone has provided scientists with the most complete genome to date, offering a new glimpse into ...
Can HIV be removed with ‘molecular scissors’?
German scientists have used a genetic modification technique known as "molecular scissors" to cut HIV out of infected cells. Could ...
Video: How to sequence the human genome
Thanks to technological advances, scientists are now able to know the sequence of letters that makes up an individual genome ...
What genes make us human? Scientists have a list
To figure out how humans rose to dominance in the ancient world, scientists are examining the genetic differences between humans ...
How many of the people born in the world in 1756 could have become Mozart? IQ twin studies may provide an answer
A recent study on the heritability of intelligence has sparked interest in determining where we get our intelligence. A new ...
Non-invasive prenatal screening: Too much information?
With non-invasive prenatal screenings comes the ability to read more and more into the genetics of unborn babies. Can we ...
Caribou genetics reveal shadow of climate change
A new look at the genetic history of Caribou suggests that loss of habitat, which is a likely effect of ...
Did brain mirror neurons help shape our civilization?
A new study debunks the hype surrounding mirror neurons and surveys current literature to take a calm and objective look ...
