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
Ancient genetics may lead to future treatment for gout
We're susceptible to gout because of a mutated gene in humans and other primates that prevents us from producing uricase, ...
Gay people are not genetic aberrations
The recent gay gene "finding" hasn't been peer reviewed, doesn't amount to much scientifically, and opens the door to the ...
Ancient Native American DNA remains present ethical minefield
Sequencing the genome of an ancient Native American reveals more about American history, and underscores the difficult, delicate dance of ...
New bionic hand includes a sense of touch
Sensory feedback is what will turn future prostheses from tools into hands; a breakthrough bionic hand represents a first step ...
IBM’s Watson and DNA mapping to improve drug prescription process
Scott Megill hopes that his company can bridge the gap between physicians and geneticists and provide personalized patient predictions of ...
Genetic Atlas: Human history of moving around and fooling around
New statistical approaches are giving us our first real shot at pulling apart the genome to see when human populations ...
IQ gene? Uh-oh, scientists believe they have found one
Scientists have identified a gene linking the thickness of the grey matter in the brain to intelligence; it may help ...
Rewriting the genome with surgical precision
New, precise methods for genome engineering, like CRISPR and TALENs are poised to change the face of genetic disease ...
New method of locating and targeting mutations promises “letter by letter” genome editing
A new method of identifying the exceedingly rare and difficult-to-pinpoint mutations in the human genome gives researchers unprecedented ability to ...
Rose scented trees? Genetic modification could create safe chemical factories
A Washington State University project aims to turn poplars into factories for premium chemicals like 2-phenylethanol, which is what gives ...
Preparing for the inevitable: DNA tests for newborns
Today, parents don't need to deal with the knowledge of genetic pitfalls that might lie ahead for their offspring. But ...
Emerging tools for synthetic biology in plants
Despite the serious complexity of multicelluar organisms, synthetic biology in plants has been progressing rapidly. This editorial examines the way ...
The cross-species merger that made life as we know it possible
The transition from the classic prokaryotic, nucleus-free model to the deluxe eukaryotic one is arguably the most important event in ...
Acid bath stem cell method may work for human cells
Scientists may have used the newly-discovered environmental stress method for inducing pluripotency in human cells. This could change everything ...
What’s it really like to work in biotech?
The life of a scientist in biotechnology is demanding, but there's a good chance that you could positively impact human ...
Brain science pioneer shifts focus of NIMH to basic neuroscience and genetics
Drain science pioneer Dr. Thomas R. Insel, now director of the National Institute of Mental Health, has sharply shifted the ...
FDA should allow 23andMe to carry on
23andMe's genetic testing health results help people take ownership of their health and prompt them to make lifestyle adjustments (not ...
Smartphone game seeks to cure cancer
Crowd-sourcing and video games come together in the fight against cancer as researchers release a game which will allow smartphone ...
Synthetic biology companies shift to making food additives and fragrances
The synthetic biology industry is looking to expand into creating food additives and fragrances, which could be very lucrative but ...
Genetic screening of embryos thwarts disease and creates ethical questions
Screening embryos for IVF lets parents avoid passing on deadly genetic diseases. But selecting according to gender or disease risk ...
What is a ‘healthy’ microbiome?
A group of culturally isolated villagers in the Amazon may hold the key to showing us what a healthy microbiome, ...
Acid bath turns adult cells into stem cells
Japanese researchers report transforming adult cells into a flexible, embryonic state via a surprisingly simple method of exposing the cells ...
Finding more disease genes, faster
Researchers string together disease genes to create networks that help explain the interactions between the genes, and, better yet, find ...
British biotech company focuses on creating cellular factories
Imagine bacteria that eats pollution in water or can recycle gold from electronics -- the scope of synthetic biology is ...
One-fifth of Neanderthal genome persists in modern human genome
By piecing together the fragments of Neanderthal DNA in the modern genome, researchers found that the stocky hunter-gatherers gave us ...
Genetics gives hope of species-specific pesticides, minimal collateral damage
Imagine a future in which we no longer use pesticides. Instead, we use weevilicides or rootwormicides, targeted with exquisite precision ...
Ancient bacterial DNA suggest black death might not be gone for good
DNA analysis of the bacteria strains behind two black plague pandemics emerged, independently, from the black rat. That means another ...
