Monthly Archives: December 2007

I don’t know if I should post this one, but recent research has shown that, in the world of horse racing, genes aren’t the most important factor in finding a winning horse. Research published in Biology Letters revealed that only … Continue reading →

Research published in Neuron shows a possible gene therapy treatment for fragile X, a condition which is currently untreatable. Fragile X is associated with learning disabilities, autism, epilepsy and abnormal body growth. Working with mouse models, US scientists have shown … Continue reading →

Tonight (20th December) and next week (27th December) BBC Radio 4 will be broadcasting two programmes called ‘The Switching Point’ on how environmental factors such as stress and diet can affect the genes of as yet unborn children. The programmes … Continue reading →

Dr Rachel Iredale, a Senior Lecturer in the Genomics Policy Unit, recently participated in a successful ‘Hands on Science’ debate where around 100 year 10, 11 and 12 school pupils debated such issues as the Severn barrage and designer babies. … Continue reading →

Cancer Research UK is managing an effort to trace all genetic mutations that are associated with cancer. Results published in Nature Genetics this week show that two mutations within one part of the human genome increase the risk of bowel … Continue reading →

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children is hosting a gene therapy trial for 10 boys with X-SCID (X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency). Unfortunately, one of the 10 boys in the trial has developed leukaemia, which was an acknowledged possibility. A … Continue reading →

Last year this blog generated some discussion on philanthropy: Philanthropic funding and Money matters. This weekend new research was published in Genes, Brain and Behavior identifying a gene that is linked to altruism Generosity ‘may be in the genes’. Researchers … Continue reading →

Science have published research from US scientists which offers a cure for sickle cell anaemia. Trials in mice have shown that skin cells can be changed into stem cells, which are then used to treat the disease. More work is … Continue reading →

The Human Genetics Commission have published a new report which calls for genetic tests that are marketed directly to the public to be regulated. They say they do not want to ban such tests, just ensure that the tests are … Continue reading →