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.
Gene therapy on the mend
Last month, Europe’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use approved a gene therapy for a rare genetic disease, the ...
XYY men and genetic determinism
PLoS Blogs (blog)XYY MenPLoS Blogs (blog)This week's New England Journal of Medicine has four articles about the new precision in ...
UK could miss out on the genomics revolution
The UK has a huge opportunity to lead the world in disease discovery, treatments and cures. But support from the ...
Genes should not be patentable
The Supreme Court will decide whether human genes can be patented. If the Supremes allow genes to be patented, that ...
Advanced genetic tests spot more defects before birth
Birth defects can be spotted more precisely with advanced genetic tests that are performed on a fetus than with current ...
Geneticists and physicists collaborate on a DNA dark matter detector
DNA may help out in the hunt for dark matter, the mysterious substance that makes up 25 percent of the ...
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing: What it means for the general practitioner
From a medical perspective, I advise people who are thinking about DTC genetic testing to think of it like the ...
Genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Key West?
Mosquito control officials in the Florida Keys are waiting for the federal government to sign off on an experiment that ...
Attack of the clone cliches
A story in the New York Post on Sunday warned New Yorkers about a new threat menacing our city: a ...
Concerns arise in Chinese bid for genomics firm
The pending sale of a major American gene-mapping company to a Chinese firm is sparking yet another dust-up over what ...
Stem cells for babies
Premature babies often have to be put on breathing machines because their lungs aren't fully developed, and some develop a ...
Genetically distinct lion population should be conserved
Every day 20 unusual lions greet visitors at a tiny animal park in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. These lions, which have ...
DNA may help scientists find dark matter
That wonder molecule of life on Earth, DNA, is now being enlisted in the search for an exotic species zooming ...
Genetic screening: Do you really want to know what might eventually kill you?
Americans spend more than $5 billion annually on genetic testing for everything from Alzheimer's to breast cancer to Huntington's disease, ...
Darwin and eugenics
My last few posts on eugenics has generated a debate that others might find interesting. Eugenics is the attempt to ...
Genome sequencing for babies brings knowledge and conflicts
Genome sequencing deciphers an individual's entire genetic code. The price of doing this has been dropping quickly, raising the possibility ...
Groundbreaking stem cell surgery earns backlash
Tommie Prins, 32, from Milnerton, told the Cape Argus last week he was “honoured” to be the first known patient ...
Genomics revolution: UK could miss the boat, scientists warn
The UK has a huge opportunity to lead the world in disease discovery, treatments and cures. But support from the NHS and ...
Mixed views on Myriad after Supreme Court agrees to rehear case
NEW YORK – Wall Street analysts took a mixed view of Myriad Genetics today following the announcement on Friday by ...
Supreme Court to decide whether human genes can be patented
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear, for a second time, a lawsuit challenging patents held by Myriad Genetics on ...
Childhood trauma leaves mark on DNA of some victims
Abused children are at high risk of anxiety and mood disorders, as traumatic experience induces lasting changes to their gene ...
Pathway to transhumanism differs for political right and left
Transhumanist thought has been no exception, evident across the political spectrum - but tending to differ in line with the ...
Short DNA strands may be key to understanding human cognition and diseases
Short snippets of DNA found in human brain tissue provide new insight into human cognitive function and risk for developing ...
Does DNA profiling violate privacy rights?
Plain DealerDNA profiles vs. sequences: Jacob S. SherkowPlain DealerThough there are federal laws that prohibit genetic discrimination, many people, nonetheless, ...
Real-time genetics could squash “superbug” outbreaks
Genetic sequences of drug-resistant bacteria have helped scientists better understand how these dastardly infections evolve—and elude treatment. But these superbugs ...
Human genetic diversity exploded in recent millennia
Most of the genetic quirks people carry today popped up within the last 5,000 years or so, researchers report online ...
Gattaca’s future is now, “God help us all”
Anyone who thinks that the widespread adoption of Whole Genome Sequencing, especially if it’s used in utero, won’t result in ...
