Genetic Literacy Project
‘Genome streamlining’: How species ditch genes no longer needed for survival
Can a genome reach maximum efficiency? ...
Viewpoint: Wild bees on the decline? Lack of evidence challenges popular environmentalist narrative
'We can’t be simultaneously in the midst of a pollinator crisis threatening our ability to grow food and see continually ...
Retinitis pigmentosa cure breakthrough? Next generation of artificial lenses being developed with flexible silicon-like chips to combat genetic blindness
Organic semiconductors can link up with brain cells to send and receive signals. They may find a use in sight-restoring ...
Podcast: How nitrogen-fixing bacteria can cut fertilizer use 30-50%
In the early 20th century, Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch revolutionized agriculture. The two German chemists developed a technique, now ...
Viewpoint: With Conservative sweep of the ‘Brexit election’, Boris Johnson poised to steer the UK out of ‘outdated’ EU GMO, CRISPR regulations
If the UK replaces the EU's overly cautious biotech rules with a pro-innovation scheme, it could become a true global ...
‘Natural health’ and conspiracy sites exploit social media to fester opposition to GMO crops. Here’s a study about what can be done to stop it
The unsatisfactory answer to 'How do we control the spread of disinformation?" may be, "We don't know yet." ...
Does the ‘genetics revolution’ unsettle you? Here is a guide, and reasons to be hopeful
I'm thrilled that DNA science has become so much more tangible and practical. Yet we must use the information wisely ...
Podcast: Sneaky sheep, substandard stallions and sperm wars
Stories of sneaky sheep, substandard racing stallions, and news from the front lines of the sperm wars ...
Billion-year-old microbes could give us new food, fuel sources—if we can figure out how to use them
We can’t afford to let this potential biotech breakthrough go to waste ...
Brave new world? Why the public might be ready for gene-edited babies
Gene-editing tools like CRISPR/Cas9 are rapidly bringing the possibilities forward ...
Viewpoint: How a small group of scientists and pliable media created a ‘catastrophe narrative’ that hurts bees and farmers
The scientists who glommed onto the “bee-pocalypse” narrative never bothered to go back and correct the record ...
How a fetus’s developing brain may be shaped by mom’s mental state
Stress and anxiety during pregnancy can mean a higher risk of offspring developing ADHD, depression or other conditions. Medical psychologist ...
Podcast: How activists and politicians derailed South Australia’s attempt to embrace GMO crops
Activists in Australia are manipulating politicians with fear and doubt to restrict farmer choice ...
DNA databases as crime deterrent: As more ‘cold cases’ are solved, are would-be criminals growing wary?
Some research suggests the mere existence of DNA databases may now be helping to prevent crime. But even if that’s ...
Kim Kardashian West’s battle with psoriatic arthritis: Will understanding the genetics of the autoimmune disorder point to a cure?
While there is no cure, appropriate and early treatment can help prevent major damage to affected parts of the body ...
Is there a place for CRISPR gene editing in organic farming? Many farmers say ‘yes’
Denying ourselves these benefits to protect distorted ideas about what's 'natural' is nonsensical ...
Why the quest to ‘cure’ cancer may be destined to fail
Many of the risk factors to do with cancer are related to lifestyle, so there is concrete action people can ...
Viewpoint: How international anti-biotech activists manipulate year-old Mexican government to block crop GMO innovations
Mexico's leadership should not restrict crop biotechnology based on personal beliefs or scientific misinformation ...
Has modern agriculture ‘tainted’ your Thanksgiving dinner?
The Environmental Working Group knows how to grab headlines with ominous claims about America's food supply. In 2018, the Washington, ...
Religious beliefs shape our thinking on cloning, stem cells and gene editing
Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam react to new technologies in their own ways ...
Podcast: How artificial intelligence, machine learning can help us realize the value of all that genetic data we’re collecting
Everywhere we look these days, someone is talking about the potential for artificial intelligence and machines to change the face ...
Is ‘natural’ better than ‘artificial’? Skincare products underscore why that view is wrongheaded
Synthetic and 'chemical-sounding' preservatives in cosmetics are safer than the alternatives that are marketed as 'natural' ...
Viewpoint: Generation Z to environmentalists: If you care about sustainability, embrace GMOs and gene edited crops
It is important that this new generation follow the facts, not just rigid environmental orthodoxy ...
Treating ‘suicidality’ as its own medical condition could spur research, better treatment options
There is no established method of identifying patients in immediate danger of attempting suicide. Some researchers are trying to change ...
GMOs are ‘substantially equivalent’ to conventional foods. Should they face reduced regulations?
There really is no tension between patenting plants that are also found by the FDA to be substantially equivalent ...
Our brains as hard drives—could we delete, modify or add memories and skills?
Research suggests it might one day be possible to tweak our brains -- eliminating traumatic memories or granting new skills, ...
Podcast: From Jurassic Park to woolly mammoths – is it right to bring back extinct species?
Geneticist Kat Arney takes a look at the science of de-extinction, asking whether it's feasible - or even ethical - ...
If Africa adopts biotech crops, will anti-GMO Europe retaliate against the continent’s most important trading partner?
How would Europe react if GMO crops became commonplace in Africa? ...
