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Genetics

The latest news on genes and heredity, from CRISPR to DNA testing technology.

How sewage can warn us about the next pandemicHow sewage can warn us about the next pandemic
Politics

The ins and outs of wastewater surveillance.

By Muizz Akhtar
CRISPR’s co-developer on the revolutionary gene-editing technology’s past — and its futureCRISPR’s co-developer on the revolutionary gene-editing technology’s past — and its future
Audio
Technology

CRISPR revolutionized gene editing. Should we be worried?

By Daniel Markus
The limits of ancestry DNA tests, explainedThe limits of ancestry DNA tests, explained
Play
Science

23andMe wants to sell you vacations based on your DNA. But what are they really basing that on?

By Brian Resnick
Our genes affect everything from height to heart disease. What happens when we can edit them?Our genes affect everything from height to heart disease. What happens when we can edit them?
Play
Introducing Explained, from Netflix and Vox

Episode two of Vox’s new Netflix show tackles designer DNA.

By Lexie Schapitl
Genetically engineered humans will arrive sooner than you think. And we're not ready.Genetically engineered humans will arrive sooner than you think. And we're not ready.
Technology

“What’s happening is bigger than any one of us”: a conversation with historian Michael Bess.

By Sean Illing
A Stanford scientist on the biology of human evilA Stanford scientist on the biology of human evil
Science

“Our species has problems with violence.” —Biologist Robert Sapolsky

By Sean Illing
Scientists are waging a war against human aging. But what happens next?Scientists are waging a war against human aging. But what happens next?
Technology

“I understand it takes a certain amount of guts to aim high.” —Aubrey de Grey

By Sean Illing
Why more people are trying to get pregnant with donated frozen embryos
Science

Embryo matchmakers make it easier for potential donors and recipients to find each other.

By Eliza Barclay
My mother died of Alzheimer’s when she was 53 years old. I don’t know if I’m next.
Features

It’s been 20 years since my mother died of early onset, or younger onset, Alzheimer’s disease. She was 53. I was 17. Losing her — and realizing that I, too, could develop the disease — has haunted me ever since.

By Mar Andras
The case against equality of opportunity
Politics

It’s a morally toxic goal. The sooner we stop pursuing it, the better.

By Dylan Matthews
Here’s why you get carsick — even when other people don’tHere’s why you get carsick — even when other people don’t
Science

Women are way more likely to experience motion sickness than men.

By Joseph Stromberg
Gene-testing company 23andMe is sharing its users’ data with PfizerGene-testing company 23andMe is sharing its users’ data with Pfizer
Science

This is the latest deal the company says will advance research.

By Julia Belluz
One of the biggest science breakthroughs of 2014 never really happenedOne of the biggest science breakthroughs of 2014 never really happened
Science

The rise and fall of STAP stem cells was a quick one.

By Susannah Locke
Scientist who claimed stem-cell breakthrough resigns after misconduct scandalScientist who claimed stem-cell breakthrough resigns after misconduct scandal
Science

This might be one of the better things that has ever come out of a comments section on the internet.

By Susannah Locke
Genetic testing brings families together — and sometimes tears them apart
Science

Thousands of people use 23andMe to seek out long-lost family members. They’re not always prepared for what they find. And new changes to the service’s settings could lead to even more of these revelations.

By Julia Belluz
Can you inherit experiences? Inside the weird world of epigeneticsCan you inherit experiences? Inside the weird world of epigenetics
Science

Lamarck may have been (sort of) right after all.

By Susannah Locke
Stem cells were one of the biggest controversies of 2001. Where are they now?Stem cells were one of the biggest controversies of 2001. Where are they now?
Science

The political fights have cooled down, and the research is getting pretty hot.

By Susannah Locke
Why DNA pioneer James Watson just sold his Nobel Prize for $4.1 millionWhy DNA pioneer James Watson just sold his Nobel Prize for $4.1 million
Genetics

He’s the first Nobel laureate to ever put his medal on the auction block.

By Susannah Locke
We’re getting closer to a cure for blindnessWe’re getting closer to a cure for blindness
Genetics

New treatments like gene therapy, stem-cell therapy, and even bionic implants are already starting to restore some patients’ sight.

By Susannah Locke
There’s no scientific test that can determine your ageThere’s no scientific test that can determine your age
Genetics

But researchers can get fairly close just with a blood sample. Here’s how.

By Susannah Locke
Scientists found 8 genes that make you more likely to drink coffeeScientists found 8 genes that make you more likely to drink coffee
Genetics

If you drink a ton of coffee, this may be why

By Joseph Stromberg
With genetic testing, I gave my parents the gift of divorceWith genetic testing, I gave my parents the gift of divorce
Genetics

One biologist’s story of how genetic testing broke his family apart.

By George Doe
How scientists are creating synthetic lifeHow scientists are creating synthetic life
Science

A guide to synthetic biology, often referred to as “genetic engineering on steroids”

By Susannah Locke
Everything you know about sex chromosomes is wrongEverything you know about sex chromosomes is wrong
Genetics

Cultural assumptions have been clouding our understanding of XX and XY.

By Susannah Locke