Tabitha M. Powledge
Articles written specifically for the GLP or the articles that are reposted from other sources (sometimes in modified form) with permission list the source as Genetic Literacy Project. Excerpted articles list the original media outlet as the source. Excerpts are posted under guidelines for Fair Use and Creative Commons for educational nonprofits (501c3). The GLP’s Fair Use policy for posting excerpts and using images is explained here.
Delving into our 10 million-year relationship with booze
It was conventional wisdom that the human love affair with alcohol began 10,000 years ago, with the invention of agriculture ...
What differentiates humans from chimps: Differing DNA or different expression of similar genes
Scientists have found genetic changes that make brains bigger and may help explain why we are so different from chimpanzees ...
Epigenetics and disease: No easy answers
How can epigenetics, the systems that turn genes off and on, help us understand disease? It may take a while ...
Do the MAOA and CDH13 ‘human warrior genes’ make violent criminals—and what should society do?
What can--or should--be done about genetic predispositions that lead to grim social consequences in only some of the people with ...
Science lessons in wake of New Yorker Mukherjee epigenetics article
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. The pother over the ...
Steven Pinker’s ‘Get out of the way’ approach ignores need for bioethics in science
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Do you suppose Steven ...
What should be done with unsettling ‘incidental findings’ in gene screens?
As modern medical testing continues to improve, doctors are increasingly discovering “incidental findings,” an innocent-sounding term for inadvertent but frequently ...
Ethical ‘decision day’: How should we regulate ‘gene editing’ of humans?
Should we tinker with the genes of our descendants? It's been a futuristic ethical debate for half a century. Now ...
The Death of death? Review of “Evolving Ourselves” and unnatural selection
The meat of this controversial new book is the immense array of futurist and transhumanist possibilities for driving change on ...
Mystery of obesity: Failed ‘rectal transplant’ raises questions about role of gut microbes
A recent fecal transplant case leading to serious weight gain has resulted in a rule against overweight fecal donors. Did ...
DNA testing under fire in wake of fake herbal supplements investigation
An investigation using DNA barcoding of four giant retailers--Walmart, GNC, Target and Walgreen's--finds most supplements do not contain the herbs ...
That ‘Precision Medicine’ initiative? A Reality Check
What, precisely, is Precision Medicine? It's pretty much everything. The ambition of the plan is admirable, but the hurdles in ...
Where are the missing females? Do skewed sex ratios in China, elsewhere lead to social problems?
China views its preponderance of men with increasing alarm, but it is not the only place in the world that ...
Buzz on how the housefly genome will help cure human disease
Insects that humans have always regarded as nothing but pests are being exploited for good purposes —as genomic sources of ...
Melting pot? Not in the USA. Yet. But coming soon?
A recent study further debunks the myth that the U.S. is a genetic melting pot. The study, the largest ever ...
Scientists urge revamped regulations for genetic engineering
Scientists are calling for revamped regulation of genetic modification, especially the new techniques not subject to current rules ...
Alcohol in moderation good for you? Accepted wisdom may not be wise and other myth-busting alcohol truisms
A few simple mutations seem to protect some people against alcohol abuse. But mostly the relationship between genes and alcohol's ...
Gay genes discovery coming soon?
A just release paper confirms male homosexuality is associated with a particular section of the X chromosome. Researchers are convinced ...
Why does your cat love you…sort of? DNA unravels feline mysteries
Domestic cats have a reputation as being "marginally tame and lacking in the servile sycophantic affect of the dog." Added ...
Why do we gain weight or remain slim? Genes, microbes and now genes for microbes
Gaining weight is partly the fault of genes. Gut microbes are involved in obesity too, although that's a complicated and ...
Risk and science: Should some virus research be forbidden?
It's not getting much media attention, but the White House has declared a moratorium on some kinds of virus research ...
Egg freezing: Smart career move?
Recently, Apple and Facebook faced the ire of the internet after both tech giants announced that they were offering upwards ...
What genes tell us about history, race and ourselves: Christine Kenneally’s new book has hits, misses
Christine Kenneally's "The Invisible History of the Human Race" tracks human migrations and much other genetic and evolutionary lore. It's ...
Is climate change reducing the number of boy babies?
Parents are selecting the sexes of their children and they are often choosing males. But there are other forces at ...
Labs must now share your genome data with you–But do you really want it?
Genomic test results must now be shared with patients. That's the good news. It's also the bad news ...
Are modern Jews converted Khazarian pagans? More evidence of Middle Eastern roots
A new database of Ashkenazi Jewish genomes will aid disease research. It's also strengthened the evidence that most Jews are ...
Has Jack the Ripper been identified from DNA?
An armchair detective with a book to sell claims he has revealed Jack the Ripper's identity. His findings need to ...
Hornless cattle make case for gene editing and less restrictive regulation of GM animals
Will new gene editing techniques that don't involve the insertion of "foreign" genes soften the opposition to genetic modification? Researchers ...
