Ricki Lewis

I’ve just finished revising the latest edition of my human genetics textbook, and while checking the glossary, discovered several potential new buzzwords, a few particularly relevant in these strange times.

THE OLD

Co-opting terms from science may have begun with "organic," it’s definition so evolved that I must insert "(carbon-containing)" when I first use the term in a genetics book. Last week for the first time I heard "inorganic," presumably meaning "not genuine." Read More 

Last week I read with incredulity section 215 of The American Health Care Act, the part that states that it “does not include coverage for abortions (other than any abortion necessary to save the life of the mother or any abortion with respect to a pregnancy that is the result of an act of rape or incest).”

How would such a draconian measure, should it become law, affect the field of prenatal diagnosis? Read More 

2017 is supposed to be the year that FDA finally approves a gene therapy. But last week, the company behind the first approved gene therapy in Europe, UniQure, announced that it won't “pursue the renewal of marketing authorization” that expires October 25.

What happened? Is the move a setback for gene therapies in the pipeline? I don’t think so.
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