Genetics (Page 4)

Latest in Genetics

Genetics research is full of errors because Microsoft Excel reformats some gene names into calendar dates. To fix it, scientists just renamed the genes.

Scientists Had to Rename Genes Because They Confused Microsoft Excel

By Dan Robitzski

The private equity firm Blackstone just purchased Ancestry as well as its massive databse of customers' genetic information.

A Private Equity Firm Just Bought the Largest Consumer DNA Database

By Dan Robitzski

After news broke of the scope of China's DNA-collecting program, scientists and experts warn of enhanced surveillance and persecution.

Scientists Speak Out Against China’s GATTACA-esque DNA Collection

By Dan Robitzski

A Genealogy Website Led to a Suspected Killer’s Arrest. Here’s What We Know.

A Genealogy Website Led to a Suspected Killer’s Arrest. Here’s What We Know.

By Sarah Marquart

A gene-hacking serum nullified two genes linked to heart health in monkeys. If it works in humans, it could mean a future with no heart disease.

A Shot of This Gene Editing Serum Appears to Prevent Heart Disease in Monkeys

By Dan Robitzski

Scientists assume the first life on Earth used RNA and that DNA developed later. But an experiment suggests both genetic molecules formed at the same time.

Experiment Shows That DNA May Have Existed Before Life

By Dan Robitzski

China has been taking blood samples from every man and boy in the country in order to build a vast genetic database of their DNA.

China Is Building a Genetic Database of Every Man in the Country

By Dan Robitzski

A team of London-based scientists used the popular gene-editing technique CRISPR to genetically modify human embryos — but the results were not good.

A Gene-Editing Experiment on Human Embryos Went Horribly Wrong

By Victor Tangermann

A biotech company wants to release millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in Texas and Florida to curb insect-spread disease.

Scientists Fight Plan to Release Gene-Hacked Mosquitoes in TX, FL

By Dan Robitzski

A company developed genetic tests to determine whether someone's more likely to catch COVID-19 and, if they do, whether they'll have a more severe case.

Free DNA Test Claims to Warn Whether COVID Is Likely to Kill You

By Dan Robitzski

Scientists are trying to develop an experimental DNA-based vaccine that would hijack your cells' DNA to create an immune response to COVID-19.

Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine Hacks Your DNA to Build Immunity

By Dan Robitzski

Scientists managed to sequence the entire genome of the axolotl, a salamander capable of regenerating injured body parts, and hope to use it in people.

Scientists: Salamander DNA Could Regenerate Human Body Parts

By Dan Robitzski

Scientists just took their first stab at curing a genetic condition that causes blindness early in life through CRISPR gene-hacking.

CRISPR Scientists Hack Patient’s Genes in Bid to Cure Blindness

By Dan Robitzski

A group called the Earnest Project claims it took DNA samples from world leaders who went to the World Economic Forum in Davos. It's planning an auction.

Privacy Activists Plan to Auction Off Trump, Other World Leaders’ DNA

By Dan Robitzski

Once again, experts are warning that consumer DNA tests will eradicate people's privacy and make them vulnerable to workplace discrimination.

Experts: Corporations Could Do Terrible Things With Your DNA

By Dan Robitzski

Biologists across the world are already printing synthetic copies of the genetic code of the deadly COVID-19 virus, The Verge reports.

Biologists Are Already Printing the Deadly COVID-19 Virus

By Jon Christian

23andme genomic sequencing genetic information

23andMe Can Now Tell You If Your DNA Puts You at a Higher Risk for Diseases

Declining sales are forcing DNA testing company 23andMe to lay off about 100 people, approximately 14 percent of its workforce.

As DNA Test Sales Plummet, 23andMe Lays off 100 Workers

By Kristin Houser

Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua has confirmed that a third gene-edited baby has been born as part of researcher He Jiankui's controversial experiment.

China Quietly Confirms Birth of Third Gene-Edited Baby

By Kristin Houser

A Chinese court has sentenced researcher He Jiankui to three years in prison for creating the world's first gene-edited babies.

China Is Imprisoning the Scientist Who Gene-Edited Babies

By Kristin Houser

Pentagon officials signed a memo earlier this week urging members of the military to stop using consumer DNA tests, calling them a security threat.

Pentagon Urges Military Members to Skip At-Home DNA Tests

By Dan Robitzski

Apple's employee wellness program includes free DNA tests through Color, which can scan for things like cancer and heart disease.

Apple’s Employee “Wellness” Program Includes Free DNA Tests

By Dan Robitzski

Following a bone marrow transplant, a man's semen now contains only his donor's DNA — a strange case that could affect the future of forensic science.

After Bone Marrow Transplant, Man’s Semen Contains Only Donor’s DNA

By Kristin Houser

Geneticist George Church created an FAQ for his in-development DNA dating app to address comparisons to the notorious eugenics movement.

Geneticist Says His DNA Dating App Isn’t Really Eugenics

By Kristin Houser

GEDMatch, the DNA ancestry company that famously helped police track down a serial killer, just got bought by a genetic forensics firm.

Tech Firm That Develops Tools for Police Buys Massive DNA Database

By Dan Robitzski

Scientists encoded instructions for creating a 3D-printed plastic bunny in DNA and then embedded the DNA right in the bunny itself.

This Plastic Bunny Has DNA Explaining How to Make More Bunnies

By Kristin Houser

23Mofang, a Chinese DNA test startup offering similar reports to 23andMe, makes scientifically-questionable claims in its results, raising privacy concerns.

Chinese 23andMe Knockoff Gives Different Results From 23andMe

By Dan Robitzski

An American biotech firm claims it can slow or reverse human aging through gene-hacking, but the entire premise is scientificially questionable.

Gene-Hacking Company Says It Can Slow Your Aging for $1 Million

By Dan Robitzski

A Chinese court has sentenced researcher He Jiankui to three years in prison for creating the world's first gene-edited babies.

Experts Horrified by Leaked CRISPR Baby Study

By Kristin Houser

China is taking DNA samples from its persecuted Uigher population to develop a troubling new form of genetic surveillance.

China Is Using Blood From Minorities For Genetic Research

By Dan Robitzski

Chinese parents are using DNA testing to shape how they raise their children, despite the science behind the tests being flimsy at best.

Parents Are Letting DNA Testing Dictate How They Raise Their Kids

By Victor Tangermann

A wave of questionable startups claim they can test your DNA and make complicated predictions about your personality and health. Experts say it's hogwash.

“Like Horoscope Readings!”: The Scammy World of DNA Test Startups

By Dan Robitzski

A bioethicist argues that making gene-hacked designer babies is not only possible but ethically responsible, if it means eradicated diseases.

Bioethicist Argues That We Need a CRISPR Baby Industry ASAP

By Dan Robitzski

A Florida detective was granted a warrant to access the entire database of a DNA website — and experts say the situation sets a dangerous precedent.

Cops Can Now Get Warrants for Entire DNA Websites

By Kristin Houser

A company called Genomic Prediction offers report cards based on the DNA test of frozen embryos. Experts say it's reminiscent of eugenics.

DNA Test Startup Claims It Can Spot Embryos With Low Intelligence

By Dan Robitzski

U.K. Health Minister Matt Hancock envisions a future where every child born in the country gets a genome sequence to scan for rare diseases.

UK Plans to Give All Children Full Genome Sequence at Birth

By Dan Robitzski

A technique some worried would lead to the creation of super-smart designer babies isn't technologically up to the task, finds a new study.

Plan to Create Super-Smart Designer Babies Won’t Work, Says Study

By Kristin Houser

Russian biologist Denis Rebrikov is trying to get approval to create the next gene-edited baby — and this deaf woman could be its mother.

A Russian Scientist Wants to Gene Edit This Woman’s Next Baby

By Kristin Houser

The Trump administration is planning to force almost all future asylum seekers and migrants to have their DNA taken and added to a database.

Trump Admin to Require DNA Samples From Asylum Seekers

By Victor Tangermann

Researchers managed to extend the lifespan of lab mice significantly, making them live longer by cultivating embryonic cells without genetic modification.

Scientists Made Mice Live 12% Longer by Hacking Their Telomeres

By Victor Tangermann

Russian biologist Denis Rebrikov has begun editing human eggs, putting him one step closer to his goal of creating CRISPR babies.

Russian Biologist Confirms He’s Working on More CRISPR Babies

By Kristin Houser

An app claiming to use DNA tests to determine whether someone's gay is under fire by the scientists who actually conducted the research it's based on.

Scientists Call For Removal of App Claiming to Detect Gay DNA

By Dan Robitzski

An app literally called "How Gay Are You" uses incredibly questionable science to predict whether people are homosexual based on their DNA test results.

This Startup Says It Can Analyze Your DNA to Detect if You’re Gay

By Dan Robitzski

A study claiming that He Jiankui's CRISPR babies would die young due to the Chinese scientist's edits has been retracted.

Study Retracted: Edits Won’t Doom CRISPR Babies to Early Death

By Kristin Houser

Researchers have discovered a way to use the powerful gene-editing system CRISPR-Cas13 in the fight against RNA-based viruses.

Researchers Turn CRISPR Into a Virus-Killing Machine

By Kristin Houser

Popular at-home DNA testing company 23andMe just opened its first store, a pop-up retail shop at Santa Clara's Westfield Valley Fair mall.

23andMe Just Opened a Pop-Up Shop in a Mall

By Kristin Houser

Malakkar Vohryzek is trying to find scientists willing to use CRISPR to gene-hack away his extreme sensitivity to sunlight in hopes of avoiding skin cancer.

Sick Man Begs Doctors: Please CRISPR Me

By Dan Robitzski

LifeShip will send your DNA to the Moon for $99 — a whimsical undertaking that could also ensure humanity lives on even if Earth becomes uninhabitable.

This Startup Will Send DNA From Your Spit to the Moon for $99

By Kristin Houser

The New York Police Department is growing a massive DNA database of thousands of genetic profiles, The New York Times reports.

Police Are Collecting DNA From People Without Telling Them

By Victor Tangermann

California just passed the first CRISPR law, and famous biohacker Josiah Zayner thinks he's the reason for the bill's creation.

New Law Requires “Not for Humans” Label Added to DIY CRISPR Kits

By Kristin Houser

Up to 18 people will be part of the first ever human study in the U.S. that uses gene editing technique CRISPR inside the body to treat blindness.

This Human Gene Editing Trial Will Use CRISPR to Treat Blindness

By Victor Tangermann

Dairy-free products company Perfect Day Foods just created a creamy ice cream using genetically modified yeast — and without relying on cows.

Scientists Created Dairy-Free Ice Cream From GM Yeast

By Victor Tangermann

Harvard geneticist George Church has assembled a database of genetic mutations that could give people superhuman-like capabilities or medical benefits.

This Harvard Prof Is Listing Genes That Could Make You Superhuman

By Dan Robitzski

Engineers built a new tool that matches DNA samples to specific faces from a database that could be linked to the specific genes found in the sample.

Terrifying AI Matches DNA to Facial Recognition Databases

By Dan Robitzski

After using AI to analyze "junk" DNA, a Princeton-led team concluded that mutations within the noncoding DNA can cause autism.

Princeton Scientists: Mutations in “Junk” DNA Can Cause Autism

By Kristin Houser

Cambridge biologists recreated a bacterial genome from scratch, breeding E. coli with the artificial genetic code instead of natural DNA.

Scientists Created This Organism’s DNA From Scratch

By Dan Robitzski

The Department of Homeland Security is going to start DNA testing people who cross into the U.S. seeking asylum next week.

Homeland Security Will DNA Test People Seeking Asylum

By Dan Robitzski

Researchers have used Type 1 CRISPR-Cas3, which "shreds" DNA, in human cells for the first time, giving scientists a powerful new gene-editing tool.

Researchers Use CRISPR “Shredder” on Human DNA for First Time

By Kristin Houser

For the first time, scientists build a DNA computer that can be written and rewritten to run different software, just like a conventional computer.

The World’s First Reprogrammable DNA Computer is Here

By Dan Robitzski

Experts Call for Temporary World Ban on Gene-Hacked Children

Experts Call for Temporary World Ban on Gene-Hacked Children

By Victor Tangermann

Startups that sequence your DNA have a new target market, according to a new story in The Atlantic: your long-dead ancestors.

DNA Ancestry Startups Have a New Target Market: The Long-Dead

By Jon Christian

Family Tree DNA, recently celebrated as the most privacy-minded consumer genetic testing company, is now granting database access to the FBI.

This DNA Testing Company Gave Its Data to the FBI

By Dan Robitzski

Researchers say they can give anyone a lifespan score that reveals their likelihood of living longer than average — just by looking at their DNA.

Scientists Claim They Can Predict Your Lifespan From Your DNA

By Kristin Houser

A CRISPR Future: Five Ways Gene Editing Will Transform Our World

A CRISPR Future: Five Ways Gene Editing Will Transform Our World

By Victor Tangermann