Apr 14 Philippines: US DNA tests confirm death of IS-linked leader By Jim Gomez, Associated Press U.S. DNA tests have confirmed the death of a Muslim militant commander who helped lead the 2017 siege of a city in the southern Philippines and was considered a key leader of the Islamic State group in the region, officials… Continue reading
Mar 21 Genetic research has a white bias, and it may be hurting everyone’s health By Vicky Stein Around 80,000 years ago, a small group left Africa and radiated around the globe, taking with them a subset of their ancestors' genetic variation. Now, that subset dominates genetic and health studies worldwide. Continue reading
Mar 05 A second person seems to be HIV-free after stem cell transplant By Carla K. Johnson, Associated Press The transplant changed the London patient's immune system, giving him the donor's gene mutation and HIV resistance. Continue reading
Dec 28 Most Americans support gene editing to protect babies, poll finds By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press Most Americans say it would be OK to use gene-editing technology to create babies protected against a variety of diseases — but a new poll shows they'd draw the line at changing DNA so children are born smarter, faster or… Continue reading
Nov 26 Chinese researcher claims he created first gene-edited babies By Marilynn Marchione, AP Chief Medical Writer A Chinese researcher claims that he helped make the world's first genetically edited babies — twin girls born this month whose DNA he said he altered with a powerful new tool capable of rewriting the very blueprint of life. Continue reading
Oct 21 With genome sequencing, some sick infants are getting a shot at healthy lives By Meghana Keshavan, STAT Scientists say the data show over and over that early diagnosis of genetic disorders not only saves lives, but can keep long-term health care costs down. Continue reading
Jul 18 CRISPR causes significantly greater DNA damage than previously thought, study finds By Sharon Begley, STAT The DNA damage found in the new study included deletions of thousands of DNA bases, including at spots far from the edit. Some of the deletions can silence genes that should be active and activate genes that should be silent,… Continue reading
Jun 26 5 important stories that have nothing to do with the civility debate By Ryan Connelly Holmes, Michael Rios, Joshua Barajas Veteran Affairs whistleblowers face blowback, researchers look for the roots of psychiatric diseases and other stories we're reading now. Continue reading
Mar 14 This insurance company wants to analyze your saliva to predict when you’ll die By Rebecca Robbins, STAT A life insurance company is turning to the hot, but still unproven, field of epigenetics to try to bet on how long you’re likely to live. Continue reading
Mar 01 Skin cancer from tanning beds costs U.S. $343 million per year By Megan Thielking, STAT Indoor tanning has long been tied to skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the US. Continue reading