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.
A family exploration of three generations of genetics
In 2008, my 19-year-old daughter, Danielle, took the same type of DNA test for breast and ovarian cancer that actress ...
Unique epigenomic code identified during human brain development
Changes in the epigenome, including chemical modifications of DNA, can act as an extra layer of information in the genome, ...
Why moms share breast cancer genetic test results with kids
In a study involving 221 mothers in the study led by researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, most mothers who learned ...
Genetic diversity and intellectual disability
It is generally understood that inbreeding has some negative biological consequences for complex animals. But what, specifically, are the consequences of ...
New study finds inherited genetic contribution in autism with intellectual disability
Researchers are striving to understand the different genetic structures that underlie at least a subset of autism spectrum disorders. In cases where ...
Regular exercise changes fat-storage gene expression
Scientists found that six months of regular exercise, such as cycling or aerobics classes, changed the action of genes involved ...
Researchers find aspirin slows DNA changes that lead to cancer
The use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs significantly reduces the risk for cancer, but no one has been ...
Emotions run high when bigfoot DNA claim is debunked
Earlier this week I wrote about my experience with Texas vet Melba Ketchum and the DNA evidence she claims proves the existence ...
The smallest bacterial genome, in context
Researchers find that a bacteria's tiny genome size is made possible only because its host's genetic code does some of ...
Researchers ID gene that encodes two proteins from one sequence of mRNA
The following is an excerpt. In a study that could change the way scientists view the process of protein production ...
Gene sleuths find how some naturally resist cholera
Researchers found that people of the Ganges Delta have adapted genetically to withstand cholera and arsenic ...
Pointing to breakthrough, human stem cells used to create tiny new livers
Organ transplant tissues created from stem cells have long been a medical hope. An international research team using human liver ...
Gene therapy cures severe pediatric neurodegenerative disease in animal models
The following is an excerpt. A single session of a gene therapy developed by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) ...
Vitamin C influence gene activity in stem cells
The following is an excerpt. A study of mouse stem cells reveals that vitamin C may play a role in ...
Gene sequencing of cholera bacterium from Haiti points to U.N. source
The following is an excerpt. The United Nations sent Nepalese peacekeeping troops to bring relief to Haiti after it was devastated by a ...
Ancient origin of hepatitis B viruses revealed by DNA fossils in bird genomes
The following is an excerpt. As the old adage goes; "One man's trash is another man's treasure": what has often ...
The Y chromosome shall not die
The following is an edited excerpt. One of the weirder stories over the past decade in relation to the Y ...
A tendency to be disliked? How genetics relate to peer rejection in school
The following is an excerpt. A lack of friends and poor peer relationships can have a damaging effect on children’s ...
Assay development driving personalized medicine
The following is an excerpt. On the first of this year, clinical laboratories began billing for more than 100 molecular ...
Genome instability studies could change treatment for cancer and other diseases
The following is an edited excerpt. As our cells grow, reproduce, and die, DNA is repeatedly replicated and repaired, and ...
The firms putting a copyright on cancer
The following is an edited excerpt. Myriad Genetics has, for decades, been seen as the symbol of genomic greed. Ever ...
Enhancer RNAs alter gene expression
The following is an excerpt. In a pair of distinct but complementary papers, researchers at the University of California, San ...
Checking DNA in the blood to diagnose heart problems
The following is an edited excerpt. When patients complain of chest pain, they have to undergo a time-consuming and expensive ...
Building the internet of genes
The global alliance to support secure sharing of genomic and clinical data represents potential for both tremendous good and unknown ...
Epigenetics study finds cancer risks double from exposure to “safe” levels of two carcinogens
The following is an excerpt. Science knows that arsenic and estrogen can cause cancer. At certain very low levels, the ...
A word of caution before the rush for genetic testing
The following is an edited excerpt. In striking down patents on human genes, the recent Supreme Court decision is widely ...
Gene defect ‘switched off’ in human tissue
Scientists have for the first time been able to switch on and off the effects of a genetic disease, myotonic dystrophy, ...
