A Scientist’s Mission: Talking Genetics With Everybody

Informed public discussion of genetics and its ethical dilemmas is more urgent than ever, says Ting Wu.

 You Are Shaped by the Genes You Inherit. And Maybe by Those You Don’t.

A genetic variant may shape you not because it directly influences you, but because it changes those around you, noted Paige Harden, a psychologist at the University of Texas who co-authored a commentary on the new study: “Something is happening outside your own skin.”

Personal Genetic Testing Is Here. Do We Need It?

For years, Jody Christ, 62, struggled to control her high cholesterol. Her doctors encouraged her to exercise, change her diet and lose weight, but none of that ever seemed to lower her numbers. When her health plan, the Geisinger Health System of Pennsylvania, offered a genetic test that screens for dozens of hereditary diseases, she submitted a saliva sample and awaited the results. The test revealed she had familial hypercholesterolemia...

Destiny Isn’t Completely Written in Your Genes

Deciphering the genetics that underlay our existence has so far led to measurable success in gene therapy for certain conditions, but scientists are realizing that genes do not have the final say in what happens to a cell and its owner.

Illumina, the Google of Genetic Testing, Has Plans for World Domination

YOU COULD SAY that Illumina is to DNA sequencing is what Google is to Internet search, but that would be underselling the San Diego-based biotech company. Illumina’s machines, the best and cheapest on the market, generate 90 percent of all DNA sequence data today. Illumina is, as they say, crushing it.

Massive Genetic Study Shows How Humans are Evolving

A huge genetic study that sought to pinpoint how the human genome is evolving suggests that natural selection is getting rid of harmful genetic mutations that shorten people’s lives. The work, published in PLoS Biology, analysed DNA from 215,000 people and is one of the first attempts to probe directly how humans are evolving over one or two generations.

People Who Avoided Illness Could Be Key in Treating Those Who Didn’t

Somewhere in the world are 13 incredibly lucky people. Although they do not know it, each inherited a mutated gene that causes a fatal or terribly debilitating disease in infancy or childhood — but these people are adults, and healthy.

Scientists are finding more genes linked to IQ. This doesn’t mean we can predict intelligence.

Researchers using huge data sets to understand genetics and behavior worry their findings will be misinterpreted.

Spit and Take

Genetic testing data can be subpoenaed, stolen, and sold as a commodity. So why is the industry booming?

The Uncertain Future of Genetic Testing

Bringing genetics into medicine leads to more accuracy, better diagnosis, and personalized treatment—but for some, gene testing has only resulted in unanswered questions.

Think Before You Spit

I went in with an open mind, enthusiastic to discover more. However, I have emerged with deep concerns about privacy, the ability to withdraw from medical research, and who really owns one's data — FlourishAnyway

What Makes a Great Olympian? Sometimes It’s Genetics

There’s no need to make consideration of race in sports a taboo. In fact, sports provide the most rigid laboratory control possible—the level playing field—to guide us through the thicket of ideological correctness. So kick back and celebrate the triumphs of the DNA Olympics.