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
Genomics X Prize canceled: “Outpaced by innovation”
Improvements in genome sequencing speed and cost led organizers to cancel the Genomics X Prize. But will the goal of ...
Teaching doctors about genomics
A video training program currently in development may help teach doctors how to use genetic test results in everyday care ...
As prenatal testing for Down syndrome increases, so do concerns about genetic counseling
Noninvasive prenatal tests provide early-pregnancy information about genetic abnormalities. Can genetic counseling keep pace? ...
Gene expression profiling study finds biomarkers related to suicide risk
Researchers may one day be able to use RNA biomarkers in the blood to identify suicide risk ...
India’s doubting fathers and sons embrace DNA paternity tests
The increasing availability of DNA paternity tests in India may lead to a number of ethical conundrums ...
Glowing bunnies: Why they matter
The technique behind glowing rabbits may someday create animals that make biological pharmaceutical products ...
Gaming with genes for the sake of a tree
The public are being asked to help in the fight against ash tree dieback by playing a computer game that ...
Controversy around Havasupai Indian genetic study more myth than fact
The story that researchers were testing a Native American tribe's DNA without consent is too good to ignore. Even if ...
Unhidden traits: Genomic data privacy debates heat up
Is addressing genetic privacy concerns for scientific study participants essential, impossible, or maybe undesirable? ...
What if plants could be plastic factories?
A Massachusetts-based company is genetically engineering plants to produce an organic polymer that can be used to make biodegradable plastic ...
Military blood serum bank advances research, raises privacy concerns
The US Department of Defense's huge blood serum bank is great for scientific research, but not all donors know they're ...
Programming language based on the human brain
IBM has developed a new programming architecture based on the language of the human brain, taking us one step closer ...
Non-Jews hit by ‘Jewish’ diseases fall through the cracks of genetic screening
Today, the vast majority of babies born with Tay-Sachs disease are not Jewish. Why aren't non-jews getting prenatal screening? ...
NYTimes’ “Autism’s Unexpected Link to Cancer Gene”: an old story, made murky
It’s not news that disrupting a gene for tumor-suppressing proteins can result in non-cancer effects on many body systems, including ...
Why is Myriad still filing patent suits for breast-cancer tests after SCOTUS rebuke?
Science is complicated, and the US Supreme Court ruled narrowly on the Myriad case: Now lawsuits are flying ...
Astronaut twin study could reveal genetics of space health
NASA's Identical twin astronauts are splitting up to help scientists understand genetics of space health problems ...
First lab-grown burger: Groundbreaking, a bit bland, and definitely not GM
The worlds first lab-grown burger, made from muscle stem cells, was cooked and eaten in London. Despite technically delivering on ...
Future foods: Candy grapes, hypoallergenic apples, and more!
Whether it's been genetically modified, cross-pollinated or created out of some other scientific process, scientists are aiming to create food ...
Evolution will punish the selfish? It’s not as simple as that
Media coverage of a game theory study of selfishness and evolution overstates the result in the name of catchy headlines ...
Jurassic Park and the race for ancient DNA
In the 1990's rush to find ancient DNA (aDNA) trapped in amber, palaeontologists destroyed priceless fossils ...
Cloud-based genomics: Will the Internet create GM super-oranges?
Farmers are hacking their operations with robots, sensors, drones, and good-old circuit boards, but that’s merely a first step. Thanks ...
Science as social control: money, politics, and genetics research
The search for genetic predispositions is part of a longterm corporate and political effort to sway public opinion ...
Literal gene-ius: The search for a genetic basis of intelligence
Barely out of his teens, Chinese prodigy Zhao Bowen is leading a multimillion-dollar research effort to solve a genetic mystery: ...
Smithsonian’s genetics exhibit inspires mixed review
Smithsonian's new exhibit explains how the human genome relates to health, medicine and ethics, but not really how it works ...
Single genetic glitch may explain most allergies and asthma
Researchers think there may be a common genetic driver behind almost all allergic diseases ...
Genetic exceptionalism and privacy
Despite privacy fears, genetic information may be less damaging than other forms of personal medical data ...
Fate of Florida oranges rests on whether activists succeed in debasing GM debate
In a journalistic tour de force, New York Times reporter Amy Harmon offers a thoughtful deconstruction of how politics and ...
