Posts Tagged ‘Genetics’

Are you one of those people who never forgets a face? Well, it seems that the credit for your ability (or lack of ability) may go to your genes. In the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences new research results show that there’s a clear genetic basis for higher level perception and cognitive abilities such as facial recognition. By comparing groups of twins, scientists found that identical twins (who share 100% of their genetic material) were more than twice as likely to share the same competence level in recognizing faces, compared to non-identical twins (who share 50% of their genetic material). “We are excited about this finding because the brain mechanisms carrying out face recognition are fairly well understood, meaning that the high heritability of face recognition could provide a good opportunity to connect genes to brain mechanism and then to behavior,” said lead author, Dr. Brad Duchaine. [via PNAS]

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Scientists report today in the journal Nature that the genetic codes of two of the most commons cancers – skin and lung – have been sequenced in their entirety. It was found that melanoma skin cancer contains more than 30,000 DNA errors, mostly due to sun exposure. Lung cancer contains more than 23,000 gene errors largely as a result of cigarette smoking. The identification of these genetic errors will allow us to develop new drugs which can potentially target each of these site specifically. As well it’s conceivable that blood tests can be developed to detect DNA patterns which are unique to each type of cancer. This landmark accomplishment is the first step in the effort lead by the International Cancer Genome Consortium to catalogue all the major cancer types. Scientists in Japan are working on decoding the sequence for liver cancer, India on mouth, UK on breast, China on stomach, and the US on brain, ovary, and pancreas. [via BBC]

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The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is a federal law that protects Americans from being treated unfairly due to differences in their DNA which may affect their health. The parts of the law pertaining to employers took effect Saturday November 21, 2009. The act prohibits employers from requesting genetic testing or using an employee’s genetic background when making decisions about hiring, firing or promotions. It also protects Americans from being forced by their employers to undergo genetic testing. In addition, it makes it illegal for health insurance companies and group plans to use a customer’s genetic information – such as a family history of a certain disease – to deny coverage or to set premiums and deductibles. [via Health Day]

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It is not a secret that beautiful people tend to receive preferential treatment. But, how does that impact our ability to parent? A study from Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital looks to explore this phenomenon. Study volunteers were shown pictures of conventionally attractive babies and others with distinct facial irregularities, such as skin problems or cleft palates. Each photo was shown on a screen for four seconds, but volunteers could extend or shorten the viewing time of each photo by pressing certain computer keys. The study found that women shortened the viewing time of “less-attractive” children 2.5 times more than men. Researchers theorize this is purely an evolutionary response that parents, especially women, would innately devote more energy to the offspring most likely to yield the highest genetic payoff. On the other hand it’s possible that women chose to not look at babies with facial defects because they are more empathetic and sensitive towards these children. Men, on the other hand, chose to extend the viewing time of more aesthetically beautiful children just as often as women, but they did not hurry through pictures of children with facial irregularities.

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Congenital Generalized Hypertrichosis Terminalis (CGHT) is a rare condition in which the majority of one’s body, including the face, is covered in hair. Some colloquially refer to it as ‘wolf man disease.’ Until now it wasn’t exactly clear what caused the condition. However, a study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics suggests that large scale DNA changes may be the cause. By looking at the DNA of people with the disease and their unaffected relatives, scientist noticed that those with CGHT were missing some 500,000 to 900,000 DNA bases on chromosome 17. As well, in one patient there was an additional 1.4 million DNA bases on the same chromosome. It’s still unclear how these large scale changes lead to the condition. However, researchers say that understanding its genetics will likely help those with other conditions characterized by excessive hair growth or loss. Read more.

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A Los Angeles fertility clinic has sparked controversy by offering parents the ability to select the sex, hair color and eye color of babies. However, “designer babies” have actually been here for many years already. The technology, called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), is currently used during in vitro fertilization to screen embryos for genetic diseases (such as Huntington’s disease, sickle cell anemia, muscular dystrophy) prior to implantation into the mother’s womb. The difference now is that you are selectively choosing an embryo based on physical traits.  The LA Fertility Institute’s first such designer baby is expected to be born next year and will no doubt spark discussions of ethics and morality.

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