Genetics

Obesity, sex differences, irises, migraines, autoimmune disorders and Parkinson's ... these are just some of the things that genetic research in 2011 helped us understand.

January 5, 2012 4:59am | By Laura Shin

Two research teams have completely sequenced the genomes of people who suffer from genetic disease -- and have come to a surprising twist in our understanding of how it's caused.

1 | March 12, 2010 11:03am | By Andrew Nusca

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled companies can't patent human genes. That doesn't mean all is lost for biotech companies.

1 | June 13, 2013 2:29pm | By Kirsten Korosec

Two award-winning websites are meant to broaden and deepen our discussions about genes.

4 | February 17, 2010 4:00am | By Christina Hernandez

Biosafety regulations barely exist in the United States, but this might not be for long. Will seed politics ignite change?

3 | June 7, 2013 3:15am | By Rachel James

Remarkably simple structural and developmental principles may ensure the human brain has exactly the right balance of complexity and order.

April 3, 2012 3:00am | By John Rennie

The most interesting genetic findings from 2010, according to genetics testing company 23andMe.

2 | January 13, 2011 5:13pm | By Boonsri Dickinson

Will it be illegal for genetic tests to be sold directly to consumers?

9 | March 11, 2011 6:19am | By Boonsri Dickinson

Scientists have created a new weapon against mosquito-borne diseases: genetically modified mosquitoes. But they could have unintended consequences.

4 | November 1, 2011 3:30am | By Laura Shin

A Kickstarter campaign could release hundreds of thousands of synthetic biological weeds across the United States -- and so far, the government is doing nothing about it.

25 | June 13, 2013 1:43am | By Laura Shin

California's proposed Genetic Information Privacy Act would require written consent for scientific use of your DNA. But scientists argue that it would significantly hinder research.

13 | May 21, 2012 3:54pm | By Audrey Quinn

A genetics lecturer in China is getting students in her door by teaching genetics through the lens of the Harry Potter characters and plot lines.

January 10, 2012 4:06am | By Laura Shin

"The Morning Briefing" is SmartPlanet's daily roundup of must-read stories from the web. This morning we're reading about breakthroughs in genetic research.

1 | January 20, 2012 1:24am | By Charlie Osborne

The way we treat cancer is about to change: Genome sequencing may enable us to attack the very genes driving an individual's disease.

2 | July 8, 2012 7:00pm | By Laura Shin

There may be one specific trait that provides the exceptional talent found in all child prodigies. We spoke to the researcher who has discovered this link.

12 | May 31, 2013 5:00am | By Christie Nicholson

Life Technologies aims to launch, by year's end, a machine that will map your whole genome for $1,000. Cue the revolution in medical prevention and treatment.

January 10, 2012 9:11pm | By Laura Shin

About 96% of participants in recent genomic studies trace most of their ancestry to Europe. This new project, Roots into the Future, hopes to boost the diversity of genetic databases.

August 9, 2011 4:33pm | By Janet Fang

The FDA thinks the consumer-to-direct DNA tests are medical devices that need to be regulated. What do you think?

4 | June 15, 2010 10:08am | By Boonsri Dickinson

College students can have their DNA tested to find out if they should avoid milk or drink less alcohol. As the argument over regulation of the consumer DNA test heats up, it's clear that...

4 | May 21, 2010 4:45am | By Boonsri Dickinson

The experiment will be conducted on members of the world's largest family afflicted with a genetic marker for the disease.

3 | May 17, 2012 7:26pm | By Laura Shin