Most Popular Articles Tagged: Genetics

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First Genetically Engineered Child: Welcome to the World of “Gattaca”

Engineered BabiesThe first genetically engineered child is all over the news in the world. You may argue with me that this is not the first case because pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), has already been used to free babies of inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease, so why this child is different? The answer is this:

…breast cancer is different because it does not inevitably affect a child from birth and may or may not develop later in life. There is also a chance it can be cured, if caught early enough. [1]

So, we are landing into completely different field here. In this case we are not talking about inevitable death, that would be caused by Huntington’s Disease (an inherited, progressive brain disorder [3]) or Cystic Fibrosis (the most common inherited fatal disease among children and young adults in the United States [4]), but rather some sort of assurance and psychological convenience that your pre-selected baby girl will have less likelihood to get breast cancer. …continue reading »


Breakthrough in Autism Research

Autistic Child

New findings by Harvard researchers reveals new genes that are implicated in autism. Scientists discovered, that the genes that are involved in autism, are those that are involved in learning.

Three newly discovered “autism genes” are particularly intriguing, because unlike some other defective genes linked to autism that are permanently disabled, the new genes are simply idle — present, but not turned on for one reason or another.

“That gives us the potential, in the long run, to develop therapies that may be able to reactivate those genes that are silent,” said Dr. Christopher Walsh, chief of genetics at Children’s Hospital in Boston, who led the study.

Read more at ABC News Autism Genes Unlock Disorder’s Mystery.