Human Genetics Features
Drug reverses aging — in rats. Could it help humans?
An allergy drug shows promising results in retarding or reversing aging in rodents. What are next steps to see if ...
Medical first use of gene editing in humans, reversing leukemia, points to promising future
With this leukemia reversal, gene editing has now demonstrated remarkable promise and fueled optimism about future uses. But experts urge ...
Transgenic tinkering here to stay: Embracing biotechnology in the home
Just as people today need to be computer literate, competing in the near future will require genetic literacy too, so ...
Gene therapy on brink of golden age: Here’s why
Just as vaccination began first for smallpox, then expanded to a handful of other diseases and has since expanded to ...
The high-risk world of rare genetic diseases
judging from headlines, rare diseases seem like afflictions of the wealthy. But they are widespread and attention is finally drawing ...
CRISPR crisis: Is UK researcher’s human embryo gene editing research cause for worry?
A UK researcher has applied for a license to conduct human embryo genome editing research, raising concerns among some that ...
Gene therapy for malaria: Benefits far outweigh the risks
There's a new treatment emerging for malaria, a kind of gene therapy that makes the malaria parasite more susceptible to ...
Has FDA approval of 23andMe tests put the personal genetics revolution back on track?
Fresh off FDA approval, 23andMe is selling its direct-to-consumer tests again. What does this mean for personal genetics testing as ...
Colicins dilemma: Bio-pharmed food-borne illness-fighting drug in anti GMO dungeon
Colicins are a natural antibacterial that could help reduce outbreaks of infectious disease. But they face a lot of opposition ...
TNT’s “The Last Ship” shadows Ebolavirus crisis: How realistic is a contagious vaccine?
It’s wildly imaginative and the science breakthroughs and clinical development of a breathable treatment happen all too quickly on the ...
Twin study in space: Gemini mid-mission update on pathbreaking nature-nuture research
In genetic research, twin studies are the gold standard to address the nature/nurture quandary. The current space mission highlights the ...
Precision medicine’s cost challenges: Are there lower tech alternatives?
Precision medicine is leading to cures but at high cost to healthcare systems. But there are emerging examples of lower-tech ...
DNA repair award highlights critical disease research
When DNA has been damaged, repair mechanisms can begin which help to ameliorate the damage ...
Mental illness: Genes form underlying basis, but the environment dictates who actually becomes ill
Figuring out the relative contributions of genetics to mental illness could go a long way to devising counseling, screening and ...
Understanding how fetal tissue is medically used
The public discussion about abortion and fetal tissue has obscured a discussion of how the tissues are ethically and legally ...
Cohanim studies: Understanding the Ethiopian Beta Israel Jewish priesthood tradition
Did the Beta Israel "forget" their ancient tradition of a male-descended Jewish priesthood? ...
Psychological torture of terrorists: Experts followed dubious practices
Criticism of the psychological techniques used to pry information from suspected terrorists and other prisoners has led to a dramatic ...
Experts reluctant to speak out on ‘hot button’ fetal tissue research
The Planned Parenthood controversy threatens to result in a ban for fetal tissue research. The problem is exacerbated because experts ...
Investigation: Are results of cancer studies reliable?
Why are so many studies not reproducible? The Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology, an open-source replication project, aims to examine this ...
Blood test can prevent suicide? How to prevent “biomarker porn”
Biomarker testing is the shiny new thing. Some scientists claim they can predict complex mental disorders. It would be nice ...
Precision medicine–Next new thing or over hyped bust? (Or both?)
Precision medicine struggles to fulfill its promise as a next generation solution to disease prevention ...
Deeply religious Jimmy Carter embraces cutting edge science in cancer battle
Former President Jimmy Carter is doing what he can to prevent nature from running its malignant course, undergoing immunotherapy, which ...
Controversial recommendation: American College of Medical Geneticists warns against Alzheimer gene tests
Citing inconclusive results and lack of medical treatments, the national authority on genetic testing recommends against not to test for ...
Donald Trump’s debunked claim linking autism to vaccinations highlights danger of fad hysterias
Will the Republican frontrunner's comments linking vaccines to autism prompt parents to delay vaccinating their children? ...
Genetic testing lags for mental illness, forces parents to internet
Genetic counseling for potential mental illness in children should be just as responsive as counseling for "physical" disease. Right now, ...
Proof in the poop: Genetically modified bacteria may be used to treat digestive ailments
On the horizon is the delivery of genetically-engineered bacteria into the human gut that can diagnosis gastrointestinal conditions, or even ...
Wrongful birth: Court upholds parental rights when hospital and lab screw up genetic testing
Many conservatives are upset about a $50 million judgment on behalf of a family that had a baby with severe ...