"There’s just no way a DNA test will tell you anything that’s meaningful about complex traits."

Parents are letting DNA testing dictate how they raise their kids

Genetic Guide

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

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/technology/china-baby-dna-tests-used-by-parents-to-check-for-prodigy-kids">Chinese Parents Test DNA to Check If Kids Will Become Prodigies</a> [Bloomberg]

More on DNA testing: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/scammy-dna-test-startups">&#8220;Like Horoscope Readings!&#8221;: The Scammy World of DNA Test Startups</a>

Genetics

"I wanted to know about his talents in the future so that I can set a direction for him."

FITTER. BETTER. HAPPIER.

Approval could arrive in as few as six months.

Fate of male birth control injection now in government's hands

No Babies

Indian researchers have submitted a male birth control injection to regulators for approval, which it could have in as few as six months.

Fate of Male Birth Control Injection Now in Government’s Hands

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-closer-to-world-s-first-male-contraceptive-injection/story-o3lTFLnCkKHpuEDNNqrEnO.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India closer to world’s first male contraceptive injection</a> [The Hindustan Times]

More on contraception: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/birth-control-drug-men-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Birth Control Drug Would Work for Men and Women</a>

Developments

"The trials are over... the product can safely be called the world’s first male contraceptive."

"You can almost forget their condition when you meet them for the first time."

People with half their brain removed are doing surprisingly well

Major Restructuring

Decades later, people who had half their brain removed as children have stronger neural connections and function than doctors expected.

People With Half Their Brain Removed Are Doing Surprisingly Well

READ MORE: <a href="https://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-health-information-26/epilepsy-news-235/they-had-half-their-brains-removed-here-s-what-happened-after-752296.html">They Had Half Their Brains Removed. Here&#8217;s What Happened After</a> [HealthDay]

More on brains: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/doctors-livestreamed-brain-surgery-facebook">Doctors Just Livestreamed a Brain Surgery on Facebook</a>

Neuroscience/Brain Science

"They have intact language skills. When I put them in the scanner, we made small talk, just like the hundreds of other individuals I have scanned."

Research: DMT's effects on brainwaves could explain consciousness

Whoa Dude

A new study of the effects of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), the psychoactive ingredient in ayahuasca, could help us finally understand consciousness.

Research: DMT’s Effects on Brainwaves Could Explain Consciousness

READ MORE: <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/11/ayahuasca-alters-brain-waves-to-produce-waking-dream-like-state-study-finds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ayahuasca alters brain waves to produce waking dream-like state, study finds</a> [Ars Technica]

More on consciousness: <a href="https://futurism.com/brain-activity-creates-consciousness" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scientists Claim to Find &#8220;Neurological Signature&#8221; of Consciousness</a>

"It’s like dreaming but with your eyes open."

A geneticist told Futurism that "I certainly would not recommend anyone spend any money on this sort of thing."

“Like horoscope readings!”: The scammy world of DNA test startups

Reading Palms

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

More on DNA tests: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/app-analyzes-dna-how-gay">This Startup Says It Can Analyze Your DNA to Detect if You&#8217;re Gay</a>

They claim to scan your genetic code for everything from physical features to personality traits. The only problem? Experts say it's a complete scam.

The team got permission by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to carry out the trial, even without the patient's consent as there is no alternative treatment available.

Scientists place humans in “suspended animation” for first time

Brain Freeze

A team of scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine placed humans in "suspended animation" for the first time.

Scientists Place Humans in “Suspended Animation” for First Time

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2224004-exclusive-humans-placed-in-suspended-animation-for-the-first-time/">Exclusive: Humans placed in suspended animation for the first time</a> [New Scientist]

More on surgery: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/robot-surgery-operate-jack-o-lantern">Watch a Surgery Robot Operate on a Jack-o&#8217;-Lantern</a>

Breakthroughs

They cool your body — and replace your blood with an ice-cold salt solution.

"By delaying an ethically sound move towards a world where we can reduce genetic disease, we are failing those who suffer through disease and debilitating condition."

Bioethicist argues that we need a CRISPR baby industry ASAP

Moving Ahead

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

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/designer-baby-gene-editing-disease-risk-kevin-smith-a9208591.html">Designer Baby Revolution Could Be Less Than Two Years Away, Research Suggests</a> [The Independent]

More on designer babies: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/editing-human-embryos-morally-permissible">Creating Genetically Modified Babies Is &#8220;Morally Permissible,&#8221; Says Ethics Committee</a>

"The human germline is by no means perfect."

"It's not that the system helps them become completely independent, but if you can't see anything, being able to see just a little bit becomes extremely valuable."

A man's new bionic eye lets him see after an accident blinded him

Neoscope

A blind man who went through brain surgery to get outfitted with a new bionic eye says he can see some things for the first time in years.

A Man’s New Bionic Eye Lets Him See After an Accident Blinded Him

READ MORE: <a href="https://onezero.medium.com/a-blind-man-sees-his-birthday-candles-again-thanks-to-a-bionic-eye-be0d3d987e48">A Blind Man Sees His Birthday Candles Again, Thanks to a Bionic Eye</a> [OneZero]

More on bionic eyes: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/bionic-eyes-infrared-thermal-vision">Future Bionic Eyes Could One Day Give Wearers Infrared Vision</a>

Robotics/Prosthetics

What looks like everyday sunglasses is actually a camera linked to a brain implant.

Apparently, a lot of single-issue voters choose "vaping" as their single issue.

Counting "vapers who vote," Trump may cancel flavored vape ban

Haha Nvm

Ever since Trump announced a flavored vape ban, advisers and lobbyists have been trying to nip it in the bud. Now, it seems that they succeeded.

Courting “Vapers Who Vote,” Trump May Cancel Flavored Vape Ban

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/17/health/trump-vaping-ban.html">Trump Retreats From Flavor Ban for E-Cigarettes</a> [The New York Times]

More on vaping: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/vape-ban-hoard-juul-pods">With Looming Ban, People Are Plotting to Hoard Juul Pods</a>