AI has learned the ins and outs of proteins. Gene editing gives scientists control of life’s molecular machinery. Together they could lead to a revolution in biotechnology.
Drug development takes a great deal of time, money and effort. While future profits play a big factor in which diseases gets prioritized, advocacy and research incentives can also tilt the scale.
At the Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing, experts gather to discuss the path forward for CRISPR and other gene-editing technologies
DNA editing has the capacity to treat many diseases, but how to do this safely and equitably remains unclear.
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Following the controversial births of the first gene-edited babies, a major focus of the Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing was responsible use of CRISPR.
He Jiankui seemed unprepared for the furor set off by his bombshell announcement.
The He Lab/Wikimedia Commons
Scientific and public uproar resulted when the Chinese scientist announced the births of the first human babies with heritable edits to their genes. A new documentary reexamines the saga.
Chromosomes change over time, whether through the process of aging or exposure to harmful substances in the environment.
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The negative health effects of Y chromosome loss could be one potential reason women tend to live longer than men.
While resurrecting dinosaurs may not be on the docket just yet, gene drives have the power to alter entire species.
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As genetic engineering and DNA manipulation tools like CRISPR continue to advance, the distinction between what science ‘could’ and ‘should’ do becomes murkier.
Xenotransplantation is the transplanting of cells, tissues or organs from animals to humans. Pre-clinical trials of organ transplant from pigs have addressed some of the technical barriers.
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New developments in organ transplants from animals show promise. However, there has been no public engagement about a potential risk. It may streamline a pathway to humans for new zoonotic diseases.
Hox genes make sure all your body parts grow in the right place. Understanding how they work can reveal the process of evolution and lead to potential treatments for congenital birth defects.
Catherine Price, sociologist, and Nicola Patron, synthetic plant biologist, discuss the promises, dangers and concerns around gene edited and GM crops.
Crystal jellyfish contain glowing proteins that scientists repurpose for an endless array of studies.
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Three pioneering technologies have forever altered how researchers do their work and promise to revolutionize medicine, from correcting genetic disorders to treating degenerative brain diseases.
A global treaty bans research or stockpiling of biological weapons — but allows bioweapon defense planning.
US Dept. of Defense via DVIDS
The sketchy history of international efforts to control bioweapons suggests that nations will resist cooperative monitoring of gene hacking for medical research.
Researchers have grown mammal embryos later into development than ever before in an artificial womb.
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Researchers have grown the first human-monkey hybrid embryos as well as mouse embryos in artificial wombs late into development. These biomedical breakthroughs raise different ethical quandaries.
RNA carries copies of genetic information from DNA.
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