Daily Human Digest
Every day, the staff of the Genetic Literacy Project scours the Web for stories on a range of human genetics issues, including gene editing, regulations and bioethics, gene therapy, epigenetics, personal genomics, evolution, ancestry and artificial intelligence. We publish excerpts of those stories and encourage our readers to visit the original publications for the complete stories.
Length of DNA strand could indicate life span
The following is an excerpt. According to a team of geneticists, the longer a person's telomeres (the protective ends of chromosomes) ...
Genetic link between fat and bone mass
The following is an excerpt. When it comes to body shape, diet and exercise can only take us so far ...
Ancestry tests are not to be trusted
The following is an excerpt. Commercial DNA tests claiming to reveal people's ancestors are little better than 'genetic astrology', according to scientists. From ...
Tiny piece of RNA regulates early development
The following is an excerpt. New research shows that a tiny piece of RNA has an essential role in ensuring ...
The genetics of mental illness and the allure of gene-ism
The current reality of mental illness is one of blurred boundaries; new genetic results showing coming ground among several disorders ...
Drug-resistant bacteria pose ‘catastrophic threat’
The following is an edited excerpt. The danger of antibiotic resistant bacteria should be placed alongside pandemic influenza and terrorism ...
‘New life’ found in Antarctica’s Lake Vostok
The following is an edited excerpt. There is something alive in Lake Vostok, deep beneath the East Antarctic ice sheet, ...
How type 2 diabetes survived evolution
The following is an edited excerpt. Type 2 diabetes is a major public health crisis in the United States and ...
If your dog is about to die, why not clone it?
The following is an edited excerpt. Insung Hwang's business, according to his website, is "healing broken hearts". Specifically those of ...
We are all “related” to Romans, Vikings, Egyptians and Attila the Hun
The following is an edited excerpt. Genetics researchers say that commercial DNA tests cannot provide accurate stories about personal ancestry ...
Breast cancer genetic testing gets covered by health care reform
Genetic testing for breast cancer will be covered under the Affordable Care Act, potentially saving thousands of dollars for women ...
The ethics of reviving species
The following is an excerpt. Stewart Brand, long-time environmentalist turned techno-enthusiast, shares a knack for publicity with George Church, the ...
New stem cell is potential “earthquake” for therapies
The following is an excerpt. A new type of stem cell, discovered by UCSF researchers, may open new possibilities for ...
New technology can turn off genes more precisely
The following is an excerpt. Scientists at UC San Francisco have found a more precise way to turn off genes, a ...
Mice ‘cured’ of lung cancer with gene therapy
The following is an excerpt. Mice with up to 200 tumours have been completely cured of lung cancer using a ...
Routine genomic screening for improved health
The following is an excerpt. In ten years time, routine preventive health care for adults may include genetic testing alongside ...
Genetic engineering may help in mapping the human brain
With the completion of the Human Genome Project, biology’s next big challenge will be to map the human brain, report ...
The Gattaca app for your smartphone
The following is an edited excerpt. Human Variome Project founder Robert Cotton has an idea for a new gizmo that ...
Synthetic biology pioneers discuss next-gen gene synthesis
The following is an edited excerpt. Synthetic biology has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years, with innovations ranging from ...
Some DNA ancestry services akin to ‘genetic astrology’
The following is an edited excerpt. An increasing number of companies are offering to profile the genetic history of individuals ...
Myriad Genetics win on gene patent ownership is appealed
The following is an edited excerpt. Myriad Genetics’s Australian court victory recognizing its ownership of patents for genes linked to ...
What is a gene and how does it apply to the law?
The following is an edited excerpt. Sixty years ago, scientists first discovered DNA, the structure in which a person’s genes ...
Gene therapy’s breakout moment
This could be gene therapy's breakout moment: speculative venture capital investors are realizing the potential of gene therapy and are ...
Simple gene deletion in mice prevents obesity
The following is an excerpt. Deleting a specific gene in mice prevents them from becoming obese - even on a ...
Genetics and microbiology are keys to defeating infectious bacteria
The following is an excerpt. ATLANTA — Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is still the infectious bacteria optometrists – and all of health care ...
African-American’s Y chromosome sparks shift in evolutionary timetable
The following is an excerpt. Scientists say an African-American male's odd genetic signature suggests that the human Y chromosome's lineage goes back ...
