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
In Israel, push to screen for breast and ovarian cancer genes leaves many conflicted
Israeli Jews, facing the world's highest incidences of breast and ovarian cancer, but among the lowest rates of mastectomies, are ...
First Americans were Europeans. Sort of. It’s complicated.
Native Americans, who have a significant amount of East Asian genes, are thought to have first traveled to America from ...
Texas School Board beats back anti-evolution proponents in approving new science textbooks
The Texas State Board of Education has voted to adopt high school textbooks including accurate instruction on evolution and climate ...
New, fast sequencing process uses online databases to ID new viruses
It can take weeks or months to identify a new virus, but only days for one to kill, so researchers ...
Project that resurrected extinct frog one of 2013’s “best inventions”
Time magazine named the Lazarus project--a project that created an embryo of an extinct frog species from non-living genetic material--one ...
Could humans communicate with dolphins in the near future?
Animal researchers are working on a project that would allow humans to communicate with free-swimming dolphins in real time ...
Battle developing over GM insects poised to fight olive pests
Scientists are developing GM insects to combat diseases and pests, but face opposition from anti-biotech organizations. If a field trial ...
Old age is programmed in human embryos
Researchers found senescent cells--normally associated with old and damaged tissue--in embryos. Now, they suspect senescence plays a role in differentiating ...
Genetics pioneer and Nobel winner Frederick Sanger dies
Biochemist and Nobel laureate Frederick Sanger died at age 95 on November 19th. His work created the basic tool kit ...
Scientists grow ‘mini-kidneys’ from human stem cells
For the first time ever, researchers have grown cell structures similar to adult kidney cells. The research could open doors ...
Life in genetic limbo: You’ve got the gene but, so far, no disorder
Genetic testing is teaching some people they have the genetic markers of disease, but no symptoms yet. Neither patients nor ...
Can organisms evolve the ability to evolve?
A new study finds that bacteria, like the species that spreads lyme disease, may have evolved the ability to evolve ...
The first GMO (Hint: Human’s best friend)
Are dogs the earliest examples of GMOs? While the conventional definition of a genetically modified organism is the lab insertion ...
Genetics of the human gut microbiome might be the next big thing
Even genetically similar individuals play host to vastly different communities of gut bacteria, a study says--a reminder of how little ...
Scientists demonstrate creativity of natural selection with E. coli research
Biologists at Michigan State University have frozen 50,000 generations of E. coli over the past 25 years to demonstrate Darwin’s ...
Drug trial, dubbed ‘Master Protocol,’ uses tumor genomics to customize treatments
According to a new article, the future of cancer drug research may lie in drug trials that are based on ...
Telomeres lengthened by weight-loss surgery
Researchers have found that gastric bypass surgery, which can assist in weight loss, may also lengthen telomeres and, as a ...
Are Republicans really anti-science?
For years, the Republicans have been labeled the "anti-science" party. But, a new article explores and challenges the basis for ...
Open-access genome project lands in UK
The open-access genome project in the UK, led by Genomics England, has a lot in common with the Personal Genome ...
A virus hitched a ride in our ancestors genome, and changed human brains forever
Long ago, part of one virus's genome merged with the human genome. Now it's in each of us, helping to ...
Is limb regeneration science fiction? Maybe not
Limb regeneration remains the stuff of science fiction for humans, but an accidental discovery suggests people may yet be able ...
Depression makes cells age faster
Even when adjusted to account for excluded lifestyle differences, a recent study shows that depressed patients have shorter telomeres, a ...
With just a few genetic changes, new species are able to evolve
By analyzing two closely related species of butterflies, scientists at the University of Chicago have found that it only takes ...
Twin study suggests politics and genetics go together
You may have your mom's laugh, and your dad's nose, but do you also inherit your parents' political leanings? A ...
Do the benefits of synthetic biology outweigh the risks?
In 2010, scientists created the world’s first synthetic life form. With this staggering achievement came the inevitable ethical and philosophical ...
You can’t control your child’s destiny through genetics
With the rise of prenatal genetic testing and the new techniques for editing DNA, you'd think we'd be able to ...
Farmers hope GM wheat could be next big bio crop
Using the tools of biotechnology, GM wheat would increase yields, lower food pieces and increase food security, which could make ...
