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Commentary on human genetics and evolution, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, and the personal genomics industry.
Daniel MacArthur
I write about the genetic and evolutionary basis of human variation, and the companies trying to sell you information about your genome.
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April 30, 2009
Category: evolutionary genetics
The most comprehensive analysis to date of the genetic diversity within Africa has been published in the journal Science - and it is a breathtaking piece of work.
Posted by Daniel MacArthur at 6:47 PM • 10 Comments •
Category: pre-natal genetic diagnosis
For those who have been too distracted by swine flu to notice: shares of the biotech company Sequenom have plummeted by 77% after the company announced that the extremely promising initial results for its SEQureDx Down syndrome test - which...
Posted by Daniel MacArthur at 12:20 PM • 5 Comments •
April 28, 2009
Category: genome-wide association studies
A common genetic variant is reported in Nature as being associated with an increased risk of autism - but the effects on disease risk are modest, consistent with a generally disappointing yield for studies of common variants in psychiatric diseases.
Posted by Daniel MacArthur at 5:35 PM • 8 Comments •
Category: genome-wide association studies
A large Korean study takes a detailed look at the genetic variants associated with 8 different complex traits - and provides an intriguing insight into the differences in the genetic architecture of variable traits between human populations.
Posted by Daniel MacArthur at 11:00 AM • 0 Comments •
April 27, 2009
Category: personal genomics
Personal genomics company 23andMe has teamed up with a San Diego health service provider to provide its genome scans to patients. But will the genetic risk information provided by 23andMe actually have a positive impact on patient health?
Posted by Daniel MacArthur at 6:10 PM • 4 Comments •
I usually try to maintain a fairly single-minded focus on genomics on this blog, but Alex Wild's current series of post on insect photography over at Photo Synthesis is simply stunning. Anyone interested in either photography or entomology - or...
Posted by Daniel MacArthur at 4:50 PM • 2 Comments •
April 26, 2009
Category: personal genome project
The Personal Genome Project is looking for 100 more volunteers to have their complete genome sequenced. The catch: participants will be encouraged to deposit their genetic and health data online for public viewing.
Posted by Daniel MacArthur at 4:50 PM • 8 Comments •
April 25, 2009
Category: whole-genome sequencing
The auction of a whole-genome sequencing service that I scoffed at a few days ago is now live on eBay - serious bidders only, please, and bids start at $68,000.Here's what you get for your suitcase of cash:Personal whole genome...
Posted by Daniel MacArthur at 7:00 AM • 3 Comments •
April 24, 2009
Category: direct-to-consumer genetic testing
Associated Press reports that Germany will likely soon pass regressive laws limiting the use of genetic testing: The German parliament approved legislation Friday limiting the use of genetic testing in an effort to prevent the technology's abuse. The law, which...
Posted by Daniel MacArthur at 4:30 PM • 11 Comments •
April 22, 2009
Category: personal genomics
Personal genome sequencing company Knome plans to offer a complete genome sequence to the highest bidder on eBay - with a starting bid of $68,000. But how much is a complete genome sequence actually worth?
Posted by Daniel MacArthur at 7:00 PM • 7 Comments •
PZ Myers 11.08.2009
PZ Myers 11.07.2009
Orac 11.06.2009
Ed Brayton 11.08.2009
Ed Brayton 11.08.2009
