New genetic studies claim to be able to foretell our intelligence or predisposition to certain diseases. But two scientists beg to disagree, reminding us that not everything is written in our DNA.
Giving a whole new meaning to dodgy curry.
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Both Macron and Madonna have expressed concerns about genetic privacy. As DNA collection and sequencing becomes increasingly commonplace, what may seem paranoid may instead be prescient.
Many researchers are interested in the genetic history of the Khoe-San.
Dana Al-Hindi
The South African Khoe-San communities are no strangers to exploitative research. One research team is trying to provide genetic ancestry results to community members. But they still face many challenges.
Freezing and storing sperm vials has proved easier than regulating artificial insemination.
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Many people are filing lawsuits after discovering that sperm banks failed to verify information from donors about their medical and personal backgrounds.
My family is Mauritian, but when I take a DNA test, Mauritian didn’t even rank as an ethnicity. It can’t. Everyone from Mauritius is from somewhere else, or from many places at the same time.
This Netflix series imagines we all have a DNA-compatible soulmate waiting for us. But while there are companies in the real world matchmaking via DNA, love is more complex than that.
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing can help scientific researchers.
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Scientists who work in local companies have acquired local knowledge and are therefore able to work with South Africa’s unique genetic diversity better than anyone else.
It has long been recognised that mental disorders can run in families. And often members of such families differ in their symptoms.
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Information collected from DNA samples can be used to identify species, track their movements and diagnose genetic diseases. This information is useful in conservation and management projects.
DNA from relatives could be used in sentencing offenders.
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Genetic apps claim to reveal fundamental insights about your health, well-being, and even intellect. But it’s not just spurious science - believing these traits are genetic can have harmful consequences.
DNA database giant Ancestry lets members access international records including the convict and free settler lists, passenger lists, Australian and New Zealand electoral rolls and military records.
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A US judge has allowed police access to the major DNA database without users’ consent (including Australian users). It’s a timely reminder that we urgently need genetic privacy legislation.
Australian women and children are said to be among the estimated 72,000 people at the Al Hawl camp in Syria.
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DNA testing gives limited information about whether people are likely to be related. But even if we overcame the many practical and legal hurdles to implementing it, what’s the point?
Is it worthwhile to know you’re 25% Irish?
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Most common chronic diseases are the outcome of complex interactions between genetic, environmental and social risk factors, so a genetic risk score, on its own, isn’t much help.
Visiting Professor in Biomedical Ethics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Distinguished Visiting Professor in Law, University of Melbourne; Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics, University of Oxford