News of genes for: the latest examples—and further reflections on why we...
There is a basic contradiction in the lay response to genome news. Somehow, the more we learn about how complex and nuanced gene action is, the more we seem drawn to “gene-for” explanations....
View ArticleMajor new cause of achievement discovered: studying
In a breakthrough discovery, researchers have identified a significant causal factor in educational achievement. It involves sitting one’s ass down at a table and opening books. The problem of the...
View ArticleThe gene for hubris
A recent post by Jon Entine on the Forbes website leads with a complimentary citation of my book– and then goes on to undermine its central thesis. He concludes: Modern eugenic aspirations are not...
View Article23andMe, myself, and I
Here is the new ad from 23andMe that will begin airing shortly on cable TV*: Genomics is going mainstream and the best news is first that it’s real simple and second that it’s all about me. Let’s take...
View ArticleNeonatal genome screening: preventive medicine or prophylactic profiteering?
Thoughtful blog post over at Nature recently by Erika Check, on a $25M set of 4 studies that will sequence the exomes of 1500 neonates, whether ill or not. Called the Genomic Sequencing and Newborn...
View Article23andMe, FDA, and the history of hype
Yesterday I and seemingly everyone else interested in genomes posted about the FDA letter ordering the genome diagnostics company 23andMe to stop marketing their saliva test. FDA treats the test as a...
View ArticleGenetic determinism: why we never learn—and why it matters
Here it is, 2014, and we have “Is the will to work out genetically determined?,” by Bruce Grierson in Pacific Standard (“The Science of Society”). Spoiler: No. The story’s protagonist is a skinny,...
View Article“Recombinant Gold” teaser
Had a request for a teaser of my recent review of Nic Rasmussen’s Gene Jockeys from Nature (April 10). If you want the whole thing, log in to Nature or shoot me an email. In 1969, the molecular...
View ArticleA little cold water
[Edit: I've had many positive comments on this post but one negative one keeps coming up, so I want to address it. A few people have felt it makes those who give to ALS feel stupid or duped. Not my...
View ArticleHope, hype, and $$$ in precision medicine
In the early days of personalized genomic medicine, skeptics wondered how tailored medical care could be profitable. Who would develop a drug for just one or a few people? Turns out they were looking...
View ArticleIt’s Pinxploitation Month!
This has got to take it. Breast cancer handcuffs??? Hands-behind-your-back for the cure??? H/t @Ederummadum:
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