Genetic Linkage
Gene therapy on fetuses?
November 4, 2011
Gene therapy is experiencing a renaissance, with many of the recent successes in children. For some conditions, the younger the child, the better the genetic correction, because affected tissues degenerate with time. This is the case for adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), the “Lorenzo’s Oil” disease that strips the insulation from brain neurons. One goal of Read More
When Health News is Old: Regaining Weight
October 27, 2011
“Keeping weight off a battle with body,” trumpeted the Associated Press’s version of The New England Journal of Medicine report that hormones hike hunger so lost weight rapidly returns. NPR, NBC, everyone, it seemed, covered the study, with nary a comment Read More
Pig Parts
October 20, 2011
According to a new review in The Lancet, when it comes to transplants from pigs, smaller is better. (“Clinical transplantation: the next medical revolution?” from David K. C. Cooper and colleagues at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.)
People have harbored pig parts for years, in the form of bladder linings, ligaments, and of course heart valves. Read More
People have harbored pig parts for years, in the form of bladder linings, ligaments, and of course heart valves. Read More
Personal Genome Sequencing: Too Much Information?
October 18, 2011
October 11-15, 6,200 researchers and clinicians met in Montreal for the 12th International Congress of Human Genetics. After my brain recovered from the long days of meetings, one panel discussion emerged as my favorite: what I thought was going to be a dull comparison of DNA sequencing technologies turned out to be a spirited look at Read More
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Jim Watson at International Congress of Human Genetics
October 11, 2011
Montreal, Oct. 11, 2011 -- James Watson joined a panel of “genome pioneers” at the opening session of the 12th International Congress of Human Genetics today. He was invited, besides his fame, because he was the second person to have his genome sequenced (Craig Venter was first), but his comments revealed that perhaps his most telling qualification is that he has a son who has schizophrenia. Known for his controversial views, Dr. Watson did not disappoint. Read More
23andMe's Exome Sequencing and the Tenth Edition of My Textbook
October 1, 2011
It’s been a strange week. The tenth edition of my human genetics textbook was published, just as 23andMe announced that they now offer whole exome sequencing, for $999. Read More
International Congress of Human Genetics
October 1, 2011
I will be posting from the International Congress of Human Genetics, in Montreal, starting October 11. As usual I'm part of the undergrad workshop and career night, but mostly I'll be running around learning things. I'll have my eye out for controversies and reports that the media miss ... please e-mail me (rickilewis54@gmail.com) with particular interests. You never know when you can find a clue to a rare disease in a poster or comment. Read More
Make-up: What's DNA Got To Do With It?
August 21, 2011
I couldn’t help but stare at the ad: the sleek double helix winding behind the coiled container of makeup looked eerily like the covers of my human genetics textbook and upcoming book about gene therapy, both of which have DNA as a backdrop to faces. The standard beige goo that is Revlon’s Age Defying with DNA Advantage™ cream makeup swirls symmetrically upward, resembling more a soft-serve ice cream cone before the indentations are licked away than it does the molecule of life. I decided to investigate. Read More
"Animals Containing Human Material" -- Welcome!
August 15, 2011
A new biomedical abbreviation debuted July 22, ACHM (for Animals Containing Human Material) in a report of the same name from the UK Academy of Medical Sciences. ACHM will soon replace, I hope, the phrase “humans and animals,” which implies to the taxonomically inclined that we are instead fungus, plant, or microbe. Read More