Genetic Literacy Project
Genetic patent stunner: Myriad wins appeal, retains patent to BRCA tests
Snubbing a recommendation by the Supreme Court, a federal appeals court in Washington, in a 2:1 decision, upheld patents issued ...
Controversy heats up over whether or not modern humans may have mated with Neanderthals
Over the years, there have been many studies regarding the possibility of whether or not humans and Neanderthals really interbred- ...
23andMe seeks FDA approval for personalized genetic tests
23andMe, a pioneer genetic testing company, is asking the FDA to approve a personalized DNA test- setting off familiar protests ...
High hopes for drought-resistant corn
The United States is having one of the worst droughts recorded in over 50 years. More than three-quarters of U.S ...
To label or not to label? The California GMO labeling initiative gears up for the big vote
The anticipation builds as voters prepare to head to the polls for November’s election. And for those voters in California, ...
The future is now: Gene therapy to take flight in Europe
After many years of crushed expectations, gene therapy could be close to a victory: a regulatory approval ...
Florida could gain a new resident: The genetically engineered mosquito
The British biotechnology firm Oxitec has applied to the FDA to release a genetically modified mosquito in Florida to prevent ...
“Agent Orange Corn”: NGOs skirt science, liken Dow’s new seed to Vietnam era pesticide
Researchers have developed a new variety of biotech corn that carries a natural resistance to the herbicide 2,4-D. Some NGOs ...
Genetic breakthrough could spell end to supermarket tomatoes that taste like mush
A new discovery from partners at UC Davis and Cornell University reveals that the same genes that account for the ...
Can GMOs save us from climate change?
Malnutrition and starvation are problems that occur all over the world, primarily in developing countries. In coming years, as climate ...
First farmers: 7,000 year old caveman bones found
Spanish researchers have discovered the complete mitochondrial DNA of an individual that lived 7000 years ago. This discovery is the ...
Australian farmer: Don’t let the biotech revolution leave us behind
In southern Australia, the soil there is some of the driest in all of the world. To cope with drought ...
American Medical Association comes out against GMO labeling
On June 19, the American Medical Association adopted a policy statement that says “there is no scientific justification for special ...
Personal Genomics: DNA helps Michelle Obama discover white ancestral roots, provides window into history of slavery
One of the remarkable innovations brought on by the DNA revolution is the ability to trace our personal and family ...
GM crops: Bring on the beneficial bugs
Chinese scientists have developed a new type of GM cotton engineered to make its own chemical protection against cotton pests ...
Scientist knocks view of genes as “blueprints” for development
The report that sequencing of a fetal genome demonstrates that we have a crude "blueprint" for adulthood has spawned the ...
Can genes accurately predict human health?
One of the most controversial aspects of the genetic screening revolution is the proliferation of gene tests by such organizations ...
DNA blueprint for fetus built using tests of parents
For the first time, researchers at the University of Washington have determined almost the complete genome of a fetus, using ...
Rainbow papayas: First GM fruit to resist virus- now on sale in Japan
A breakthrough in Japan, which has been historically precautionary about GM foods: “Rainbow” papayas–genetically modified to withstand the deadly ringspot ...
DNA & ancestry: We all carry “Jewish genes”
This is not a story of Lost Tribes, but of lost history–the discovery of “Jewish genes” in Hispano Christian populations ...
Free trade and GM crops: Price sensitive European consumers, blocked from buying most GM products, are willing to buy innovative foods
While the political opposition to biotech crops in the European Union is well entrenched, consumers are willing to take a ...
Personalized medicine: Blood tests combined with genome sequencing yield breakthrough therapy
In a remarkable new story, one professor, who sequenced his own genome, found that he was a high risk for ...
Nobel biologist: Zero evidence that crop biotechnology is harmful; GM safer than conventional food
Sir Richard Roberts, a British biologist, joined a long and growing list of Nobel laureates, saying that he believes much ...
AquaBounty GM salmon on the ropes? How anti-biotech campaigners strangle innovation through regulation overkill
With a final decision by the FDA approving for commercial sales Aqua Bounty Technologies genetically modified salmon, the biotechnology company ...
The biology of political narcissism: Donkey brains vs. Elephant grey matter
Anti-Republican science writer Chris Mooney stirred a hornets nest of controversy with the publication of his recent book, The Republican ...
Genes & obesity
The latest Genomics & Health Impact Update has a primer on genetic links to obesity—a must read. It also links ...
Genetics of homosexuality: “Don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t publish”?
Critics of homosexuals portray it as a “deviant” lifestyle choice and a violation of God’s will. Some religious conservatives argue ...
