Genomics Pt. 2: Designer Babies, Illegal Experiments, and Moral Issues
Our experts explain the ethical debate surrounding gene editing in humans. Where do we draw the moral line and have we already crossed it?
How Scientists Are Speeding Up Evolution Using Genome Editing
The field of genome editing goes all the way back to the 1970s when researchers discovered how to clone DNA. Experts discuss how gene editing technology can fit millions of years of evolution into mere months.
Ending the Trial and Error Treatment Method for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis are forced to try numerous, expensive medications until they find one that works. Fortunately, Scipher Medicine’s new blood test offers a precision approach, discovering what medication will work the first time.
Genetic Testing and Life Insurance
It’s illegal for health insurers to use genetic testing to discriminate against policyholders. However, life insurers can and do discriminate on that basis if the test is in your medical file.
Genetic Testing and Family Secrets
The availability of consumer DNA tests and databases has allowed long-hidden family secrets to be revealed, including mistaken paternity and unknown siblings. It has also taken the anonymity away from some cases of sperm donation. Two experts discuss the ethics of overturning this promised secrecy and the impact that the revelation of secrets can have on …
Genetic and Genomic Testing
When most of us think of genetic testing for health, we imagine tests to detect whether we’ve inherited genes that predispose us for cancer or other serious disease. But another kind of gene testing—genomic testing of tumor cells for their susceptibility to targeted treatments—is giving thousands of people hope of survival they’ve never had before. Experts …
Cancer Suppression: Lessons from Pachyderms (2019)
DNA mutations happen all the time in the body, but the immune system usually detects and deals with them. When the system fails, cancer results. Yet some animals, such as elephants, almost never get cancer, and scientists have learned that the elephant DNA repair system is 20 times more powerful than the human system. Experts explain how they hope to tap …
Medical Notes: Week of September 2, 2018
High blood pressure links to dementia, then osteoporosis genetic screening tests, and finally, is friendship timeless?
Medical Lab Mistakes
An expert explains that human error is impossible to completely eliminate, so labs are increasingly turning to DNA tracking to catch mistakes when they occur.
Elephant DNA: The Secret to Cancer Suppression? (2017)
Some animals, such as elephants, almost never get cancer, and scientists have learned that the elephant DNA repair system is 20 times more powerful than the human system
Workplace Genetic Testing
Workers are protected from having to take genetic tests for employers, however, a bill under consideration would allow corporate wellness plans to ask workers for a test
Cheaper Breast Cancer Gene Testing
Testing for breast cancer genes BRCA-1 and 2 has been inaccessible to many women due to extremely high cost. Now a new $249 breast cancer gene test is available. Experts discuss whether this changes who should be tested and the ramifications of widespread testing.
