Apr 18
Remember those slightly horrifying sites that mash up two faces to tell you what your hypothetical babies might look like? With genome sequencing and "virtual embryos," we might actually be able to do that—using science.
Apr 09
Masses of products—from cosmetics to clothing—now contain nanoparticles, to kill microbes, lengthen shelf life or provide other wonderful properties. But new research from MIT and Harvard suggests they could also be damaging your DNA.
Apr 08
We already have the potential to reconfigure DNA
Mar 21
Everyone knows that DNA can be invaluable when it comes to solving crimes
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Feb 13
The Fascinating History of Eugenics
Posted in: Today's Chili
The name deriving from the Greek "eugenes," meaning "well-born," it should be no surprise that "eugenics" seeks to engineer a better human race by purposefully selecting good traits, and eliminating bad ones, as is common when breeding animals. Over the years, eugenics has had a number of proponents, from some of the greatest and most admires thinkers in western civilization to the worst human monsters to ever walk the earth.
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Feb 01
Genes, chromosomes, DNA. We all know it’s complicated, but who knew it could be so beautiful?
Electron microscopist Louise Hughes is passionate about microscopy and the genetic structures that she has studied and observed. And now they are available to wear as jewelry, as Louise has begun a Kickstarter campaign to get these pieces of jewelry in production.
Rewards include postcards featuring Louise’s microscopy artwork (told you she was passionate about it!), rings, pendants, earrings, and cufflinks that are available in XX, XY, XXY, or triplet of chromosome 21 designs. There’s also a ring available that features all of the chromosomes in a single piece.
For more information on the project and the rewards, check out the Human Chromosome Jewelry campaign page on Kickstarter.
[via C|NET]
Dec 10
Everyone’s heard of DNA, genetics and genome sequencing, but you might not actually know exactly how scientists go about doing it. This TED Ed video explains, nicely and simply, how it works.
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Dec 06
Following demands issued by the Food and Drug Administration
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Nov 25
Something’s not quite right about 23andMe’s DNA analysis kits, and the Food and Drug Administration is on it. The agency ordered 23andMe to stop selling the kits until the Google-backed company can prove that they actually work. Sounds reasonable.
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Nov 25
For more than five years, 23andMe has sent out personalized DNA test kits, offering consumers hundreds of clinical reports on their genetic risk for everything from diabetes to prostate cancer. Its mission to educate customers about their health and ancestry appears to have been dealt a blow, however, after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the company needs its approval. It’s told 23andMe to stop advertising its DNA-testing product until it gets the medical device classification it needs, which involves conducting studies of the kits to gain documented proof of their accuracy.
The agency is also worried that customers might take action, or not, based on test results that may or may not be correct. 23andMe has attempted to gain clearance in the past, but hasn’t done everything it needs to get the green light. Make no mistake, a run-in with the FDA is not to be taken lightly: satisfying the agency’s requirements is going to be a long and expensive process. 23andMe now has to tell the agency exactly how it intends to gain marketing authorization for the device, or it could face regulatory action (which includes injunctions, seizures and hefty fines).
Update: 23andMe has issued a statement on the matter:
We have received the warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration. We recognize that we have not met the FDA’s expectations regarding timeline and communication regarding our submission. Our relationship with the FDA is extremely important to us and we are committed to fully engaging with them to address their concerns.
Filed under: Internet
Via: Bloomberg
Source: FDA
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