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Geneticists Breach Ethical Taboo By Changing Genes Across Generations

An image of researchers at Oregon Health & Science University removing the nucleus from the mother's cell before it's inserted into the donor's egg cell. Courtesty of Oregon Health & Science University hide caption

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Courtesty of Oregon Health & Science University

Shots - Health News

Geneticists Breach Ethical Taboo By Changing Genes Across Generations

Scientists have made changes in human DNA that can be passed down from one generation to the next. The researchers say they took the step to try to prevent women from giving birth to babies with genetic diseases. But the research is raising a host of social and moral questions.

Geneticists Breach Ethical Taboo By Changing Genes Across Generations

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Doctors Sift Through Patients' Genomes To Solve Medical Mysteries

Sara Terry and her son, Christian, in Spring, Texas. After sequencing Christian's genome, doctors were able to diagnose him with a Noonan-like syndrome. Eric Kayne for NPR hide caption

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Eric Kayne for NPR

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Doctors Sift Through Patients' Genomes To Solve Medical Mysteries

Doctors used genome sequencing to put a name to the mysterious cluster of symptoms that afflicted Christian Terry, 5. He's one of many patients now getting the test, which can cost as little as $1,000, to resolve undiagnosed illnesses. Doctors are also using it to sequence cancer and target treatment at the precise genetic mutations in a tumor.

Doctors Sift Through Patients' Genomes To Solve Medical Mysteries

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Could Genes For Stripes Help Kitty Fight Disease?

The genetic factors responsible for a cat's stripes might help researchers understand disease resistance in humans. kennymatic via Flickr hide caption

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kennymatic via Flickr

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Could Genes For Stripes Help Kitty Fight Disease?

Different lineages of cat with the same coloration got their looks in unique ways. The genetic variants that determine those patterns come from different mutations in the same genes. And that has some scientists thinking there may be more to the genes than meets the eye.

Could Genes For Stripes Help Kitty Fight Disease?

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Scientists See Upside And Downside Of Sequencing Their Own Genes

Watson, now 84, says sequencing helped explain his past sensitivity to certain drugs. But he didn't want to know everything his sequenced genome revealed about his health future. Courtesy of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory hide caption

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Courtesy of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

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Scientists See Upside And Downside Of Sequencing Their Own Genes

Prominent geneticists are getting their own genomes decoded, revealing the benefits and risks.

Scientists See Upside And Downside Of Sequencing Their Own Genes

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