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
We can read your DNA … but how well can we understand it?
The Boston Globe's Carolyn Johnson has penned an important reminder that "the facts about your genes are not necessarily facts ...
Japan’s STAP stem cell controversy deepens as accusations of misconduct focus on investigating panel
Members of the RIKEN institute committee that found Haruko Obokata -- of STAP stem cell infamy -- guilty of misconduct ...
Humans’ love of watching animals is hardwired
Humans derive pleasure watching animals in zoos, nature and in popular culture. Beyond their uses as food sources and domestic ...
Oldest fossil sperm is huge, poses evolutionary conundrum
Scientists find sperm inside 17-million-year-old shrimp -- but it's not just any sperm. It's longer than the animals that made ...
Rumors of junk DNA’s death greatly exaggerated
A new paper in PLOS Genetics presents a compelling case for why "junk DNA" is still a useful concept, despite ...
Will FDA regulations force US direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies overseas?
23andMe is reportedly looking to enter international markets. Will they find their international hosts' regulatory structure as unfriendly as the ...
Immunotherapy hype: Are biotech companies overshooting clinical evidence?
The business of oncology drugs that use a patient's own immune system to fight cancer is growing rapidly. But is ...
Scientists add new letters to genetic alphabet: What does it mean?
A 15-year effort has yielded a bacterium that can use two 'alien' base pairs in its genetic code, expanding the ...
FDA ethically off base in opposition to direct-to-consumer genetic testing
Bioethicist argues that regulating direct-to-consumer genetic testing violates personal autonomy and protects against nothing ...
On penises and vaginas: Why maleness always wins the headlines
Biology's sexism isn't overt, but researchers and media can't help but propagate the war of the sexes and the importance ...
Culture wars threaten synthetic biology’s future: Debate on open source versus closed door
Synbio will soon be weathering legal and ethical challenges as its advances enter people's everyday lives. In order to mature, ...
Are modern Jews descendants of converts from the extinct kingdom of Khazaria or ancient Israel?
Some studies have suggested that most Jews do not trace their ancestry to ancient Israel but are converts--descendants of the ...
Nicholas Wade on race: Genes and evolution trump culture in shaping human differences
No subject is more taboo than race. New York Times science writer Nicholas Wade takes on the nature-nurture debate in ...
Breeding heat-resistant livestock for a post-warming world: A worthy endeavor?
Evan Halper at the LA Times chronicles efforts to breed livestock that can endure a warming world ... but should ...
Stem cells can cure severe heart disease? Study suggests early reports may be oversold
A slew of positive reports showing that stem cells could be used to address severe heart disease are in question ...
Genetically modified pig lungs or lab-grown lungs: Which is the future of our organ supply?
Biotech pioneer J. Craig Venter has aligned his company with efforts to create genetically modified lungs in pigs for human ...
Sleeping sickness treatment in focus after sequencing of tsetse fly genome
Scientists have sequenced the tsetse fly's genome, Jennifer Frazer at National Geographic reports, revealing promising targets in the fight against ...
Mother’s diet during conception may lead to epigenetic consequences and disease
A study following mothers in rural Gambia, where the rainy and dry season make for major seasonal changes in diet ...
Scientists create embryonic stem cell lines using adult cells, but pro-lifers still critical
Two new studies report the successful creation of embryonic stem cells using a human egg and a patient's DNA. The ...
GINA’s sixth birthday: Does legislation protecting our genetic information mean anything?
The Genetic Nondiscrimination Act nominally protects against nefarious use of genetic information by employers and health insurance companies, but it ...
Artists and biologists team up to push boundaries of synthetic biology
The Synthetic Aesthetics project argues that synthetic biology needs a healthy dose of novelty and imagination. To this end, the ...
Privacy for our electronic genomes: Who’s responsible? What’s at stake?
The level of security and anonymity provided to genetic information depends on the research project, direct to consumer company or ...
‘Electronic genomes’ vulnerable to attack
In a digital world, even our most sensitive information is vulnerable to hacking. In the case of DNA, people can ...
Lamark redux: Is epigenetics rewriting his legacy?
Evolutionary biologist Josh Mitteldorf looks back on the discredited scientist's views of evolution in light of our new knowledge of ...
Building a genomic encyclopedia of life
A genomic tree-of-life is the taxonomist's dream: a perfectly organized, annotated database of every species on earth, its genetics, and ...
Neanderthal epigenetics probably not a great target for autism research
Sensationalized headline used keywords of autism and Neanderthal to oversell an important story about differences in epigenetic regulation between humans ...
Old blood, new science: 115-year-old woman’s blood suggests lifespan depends on stem cells
The blood of one of the oldest women to have lived -- and quite possibly the oldest to ever donate ...
