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Respected Medical Geneticist Sir Peter Harper Dies at 81
Respected Medical Geneticist Sir Peter Harper Dies at 81
The Cardiff University researcher was famous both for his work on genetic disorders and for his documentation of the history of his field.
Respected Medical Geneticist Sir Peter Harper Dies at 81
Respected Medical Geneticist Sir Peter Harper Dies at 81

The Cardiff University researcher was famous both for his work on genetic disorders and for his documentation of the history of his field.

The Cardiff University researcher was famous both for his work on genetic disorders and for his documentation of the history of his field.

genetics & genomics, policy

Panel Lays Out Guidelines for CRISPR-Edited Human Embryos
Lisa Winter | Sep 4, 2020 | 2 min read
The International Commission on the Clinical Use of Human Germline Genome Editing claims the technology is still too risky for therapeutic use.
China Sentences Gene-Editing Scientist to Three Years in Jail
Emily Makowski | Dec 30, 2019 | 2 min read
The modification of three babies’ genes by He Jiankui drew widespread criticism from scientists.
China Is Using DNA from Uighurs to Predict Physical Features
Catherine Offord | Dec 3, 2019 | 2 min read
An investigation reveals that the government is developing technology to try to reconstruct a person’s appearance based on a genetic sample, raising concerns for the rights of Muslim minority groups in the country.
Selecting Embryos for IQ, Height Not Currently Practical: Study
Shawna Williams | Nov 21, 2019 | 2 min read
Building simulations based on real genetic data, researchers conclude Gattaca-like tactics to choose the traits of future offspring would yield little payoff.
buri recombinetics hornell cow hereford bull polled genetically engineered talens gmo cattle livestock
Genome-Edited Hornless Cows’ Offspring Are Healthy: Study
Kerry Grens | Oct 9, 2019 | 2 min read
All six calves inherited the gene for preventing horn growth, but four also got a piece of the plasmid used to introduce the sequence to their dad—complicating regulatory approval.
US Government Considers Collecting Detained Immigrants’ DNA
Ashley Yeager | Oct 3, 2019 | 2 min read
The Department of Justice plans to require cheek swabs at the border, with the data then entered in a national criminal database.
buccal swab brca brca1 brca2 genetic test cancer screening uspstf
New Guidelines Expand BRCA Screening
Ashley P. Taylor | Aug 21, 2019 | 2 min read
US Preventive Services Task Force recommends genetic testing for mutations in the cancer-related genes for more—but not all—women.
Tardigrades May Have Made it to the Moon
Ashley Yeager | Aug 7, 2019 | 2 min read
An Israeli lunar lander carrying the tiny animals crashed into the moon in April, and now scientists are trying to determine if the creatures are still alive.
a black mouse held in a gloved hand
Prominent Mouse Genetics Center Could be Shuttered
Shawna Williams | Jun 21, 2019 | 2 min read
Staff at the UK’s Harwell Institute were notified that a strategy board recommended halting its academic work, but a final decision is months away.
test tubes china regulations genetic material sharing data
China Clamps Down on Foreign Use of Chinese Genetic Material and Data
Emma Yasinski | Jun 17, 2019 | 2 min read
New rules, which require international scientists to have a Chinese collaborator, go into effect July 1.
WHO Panel Calls For a Registry of Gene-Editing Research in Humans
Catherine Offord | Mar 20, 2019 | 2 min read
The advisors’ recommendations follow news of ethically dubious gene-editing work carried out by He Jiankui late last year.
FDA Lifts Import Restrictions on Genetically Engineered Salmon
Catherine Offord | Mar 11, 2019 | 2 min read
The fast-growing fish can now be raised and sold in the US, although it’s likely to be some time before the product hits the market.
a Chinese 100-renminbi note with puzzle pieces missing
CRISPR Babies Trial May Have Been Government Funded
Shawna Williams | Feb 25, 2019 | 3 min read
Documents about the experiment challenge a Chinese government investigation’s finding that He Jiankui mostly acted alone.
DNA strands on a blue background
“Co-op” Lets Users Barter DNA and Health Information for Shares
Shawna Williams | Dec 7, 2018 | 2 min read
LunaDNA receives Securities and Exchange Commission approval to treat the data as currency.
No Ban on Gene Drives: UN Convention
Kerry Grens | Nov 30, 2018 | 1 min read
United Nations members agree to some restrictions on the technology, but not a total suspension of its use.
Trump Administration’s Definitions of Sex Defy Science
Ashley P. Taylor | Oct 23, 2018 | 2 min read
The government wants to limit a person’s sex to male or female as determined by genitalia at birth and genetics. It’s not so simple, say scientists.
Japanese Authorities Recommend Not Regulating Gene Editing
Kerry Grens | Aug 22, 2018 | 1 min read
Unlike judges in the European Union, a government panel in Japan says transgenic modification and genome editing are not the same.
The NIH Loosens Grip on Gene Therapy Trials
Kerry Grens | Aug 16, 2018 | 2 min read
The agency proposes ceding its scrutiny of these studies to the FDA.
USDA Unveils New Gene-Stacking Tool to Prevent Plant Diseases
Anne N. Connor | Aug 14, 2018 | 4 min read
The European Union says no thanks.
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