Jun 07 Use of online DNA databases by law enforcement leads to backlash and website changes By Terry Spencer, Associated Press After California detectives used a popular online DNA database to track down a suspect in the decades-old Golden State Killer slayings last year, at least 50 other killings and rapes have been solved nationwide by using partial DNA matches to… Continue reading
May 14 How a snail’s shell gets its twist By Vicky Stein Gene-editing with CRISPR reveals why snail shells are asymmetrical and coil either left or right. Continue reading
Apr 19 U.S. researcher says he’s ready to start pregnancies with ‘three-parent’ embryos By Emily Mullin, STAT Researchers at Columbia University in New York have created embryos containing genetic material from three people and are ready to use them to start pregnancies. But they’re at a legal impasse. Continue reading
Apr 18 This genetic test can predict your odds for obesity from the day you’re born By Vicky Stein Obesity could be in your future — and this $50 genetic test can predict your risk. 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
Oct 12 DNA ancestry searches can now identify most white Americans. Here’s why that’s legally questionable By Nsikan Akpan Police identified the Golden State Killer with a genetic ancestry search for his distant relatives. These two studies show how easy that could be done for anyone. Continue reading
Oct 03 Trio wins Nobel Prize by using chemistry to ‘evolve’ the building blocks of life By Nsikan Akpan This year’s chemistry Nobel also comes with some political controversy, as one of the winners has been accused of promoting anti-Israel views. Continue reading
Aug 28 This gene may determine your chronic pain after a traumatic car crash By Sarah Linnstaedt, The Conversation A study of more than 1,500 motor vehicle accident survivors reveals that rare variants of a "stress response" gene increase vulnerability to developing chronic pain. Continue reading
Jul 08 Genetic ancestry tests don’t change your identity, but you might By Wendy D. Roth, The Conversation Genetic ancestry tests reinforce what you want to believe rather than offering objective, scientific proof of who you are. Continue reading
Apr 27 The Golden State Killer case was cracked with a genealogy website. What does that mean for your DNA’s privacy? By Rebecca Robbins, STAT The unusual manner in which the Golden State Killer case was cracked has sparked wonderment — as well as privacy concerns about genetic information. Continue reading