genetics(Page 3)

Latest in genetics

intestines microflora

Gut bacteria might flip the effects of a common cancer-causing mutation in an unexpected way

cows in a pasture

Gene-edited cows could make meat more sustainable. But would people eat it?

By Dyllan Furness/Undark

Sled pulled by dogs.

Humans have partnered with sled dogs for 9,500 years

By Sara Kiley Watson

Why we evolved to feel empathy during pandemics and other disasters

By Peter Sterling/MIT Press Reader

A brown-eyed individual holding a mug

Ask Us Anything

How do we get our eye color?

Mongolian woman milking an animal

The answer to lactose intolerance might be in Mongolia

By Andrew Curry

a woman is about to bite into a giant leek, for some reason

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

The ‘chew chew cult’ is a Victorian diet fad that should really, really never come back

By Popular Science Team

Amish couple riding on a horse-drawn wagon

A mysterious cluster of deaths amongst Amish children has finally been solved

By Sara Chodosh

A Spanish-American family photographed in New Mexico in 1940.

DNA tests can’t tell you your race

By Jack Herrera

dog with second tail on forehead

The science behind this adorable puppy’s forehead tail

A controversial new study claims Botswana may be the origin of modern humanity

A controversial new study claims Botswana may be the origin of modern humanity

Gender and class inequalities haven’t really changed for 4,000 years

Gender and class inequalities haven’t really changed for 4,000 years

Collecting more diverse DNA samples could exploit the very people scientists want to help

Collecting more diverse DNA samples could exploit the very people scientists want to help

By Adrian Pecotic/Undark

A massive study confirms no one ‘gay gene’ controls sexual preference

A massive study confirms no one ‘gay gene’ controls sexual preference

By Nicole Wetsman

A tiny Polish village has had nothing but baby girls for a decade—and that’s actually pretty normal

A tiny Polish village has had nothing but baby girls for a decade—and that’s actually pretty normal

By Craig Anderson/The Conversation

Anorexia may be more complicated than we thought

Anorexia may be more complicated than we thought

How do deer grow antlers so quickly?

How do deer grow antlers so quickly?

By Matthew Every/ Outdoor Life

The Atlantic cod’s migratory supergene comes at a cost

The Atlantic cod’s migratory supergene comes at a cost

By Donavyn Coffey

Can industrial farming be a force for good?

Can industrial farming be a force for good?

By Ted Genoways

The first paternity tests involved ‘blood vibration.’ They didn’t work.

The first paternity tests involved ‘blood vibration.’ They didn’t work.

By Nara Milanich

Why do cats—and so many other animals—look like they’re wearing socks?

Why do cats—and so many other animals—look like they’re wearing socks?

By Eleanor Cummins

Why don’t we grow to be 10 feet tall?

Ask Us Anything

Why don’t we grow to be 10 feet tall?

To protect the world’s pasta, scientists peered inside fettuccine’s DNA

To protect the world’s pasta, scientists peered inside fettuccine’s DNA

This woman’s genetic mutation shields her from pain and anxiety

This woman’s genetic mutation shields her from pain and anxiety

By Sara Chodosh

apple breeding chart

How we breed the best (and worst) apples

Southern California’s mountain lions might soon go extinct

Endangered Species

Southern California’s mountain lions might soon go extinct

Human animal humanimal hand swan feeding

Rethinking what sets humans apart starts with asking if we’re special at all

By Adam Rutherford

Your genes might influence how well your birth control works

Your genes might influence how well your birth control works

By Nicole Wetsman

23andMe now claims its DNA tests can predict your risk of diabetes

23andMe now claims its DNA tests can predict your risk of diabetes

By Nicole Wetsman

HIV remission blood test

The treatment that cured two H.I.V. cases won’t work for most patients

By Nicole Wetsman

These Australian twins are the second ‘semi-identical’ pair ever reported

These Australian twins are the second ‘semi-identical’ pair ever reported

By Nicole Wetsman

We need to police gene editing. The World Health Organization agrees.

We need to police gene editing. The World Health Organization agrees.

Engineering HIV-resistant babies may have accidentally changed their brains

By Claire Maldarelli

piedmontese bull homozygous myostatin

Why these animals (and one baby) are incredibly jacked

By Sara Chodosh

a newborn baby's wrist with a hospital bracelet on it

Do you really want to know what’s in your baby’s genome?

Purple jellyfish float in the dark

The new jellyfish genome proves you don’t need weird genes to be a weirdo

By Charlie Wood

Glowing skin might start in your genes

Glowing skin might start in your genes

By Julissa Treviño

Adult mouse with two mothers

Scientists just created healthy mice with same-sex parents

Octopuses trip on ecstasy the same way we do

Octopuses trip on ecstasy the same way we do

By Charlie Wood

Shelters often mislabel dog breeds. But should we be labeling them at all?

By Sara Chodosh

‘Zombie genes’ could be why so few elephants die of cancer

‘Zombie genes’ could be why so few elephants die of cancer

By Neel V. Patel

Bananas: your cousin, maybe?

Bananas: your cousin, maybe?

By Eleanor Cummins

three domesticated foxes

The genes that turn wild animals into pets

By Neel V. Patel

Americans have some really mixed feelings about editing human embryos

By Claire Maldarelli

Human cancers aren’t contagious, but dogs and other animals aren’t so lucky

Human cancers aren’t contagious, but dogs and other animals aren’t so lucky

Dogs spread across the Americas alongside humans. Then they got eaten.

Dogs spread across the Americas alongside humans. Then they got eaten.

Koala genes might reveal how they survive a toxic diet

Looking for a book? Try these tales of strange brains, ancient whales, and Hamilton’s forgotten doctor.

Looking for a book? Try these tales of strange brains, ancient whales, and Hamilton’s forgotten doctor.

By Mary Beth Griggs

The genes of many marine creatures are patented—and one company owns half of them

The genes of many marine creatures are patented—and one company owns half of them

Here’s what kind of data genetics testing companies can share

Here’s what kind of data genetics testing companies can share

I developed a sturdier, crisper, and yummier apple

I developed a sturdier, crisper, and yummier apple

Consumer DNA tests can’t tell you much, but they sure can get your relatives arrested

By Sara Chodosh

If your genes put you at risk of heart disease, exercise might be able to help

If your genes put you at risk of heart disease, exercise might be able to help

By Claire Maldarelli

Scientists have identified a gene that’s killing purebred dogs. Does that even matter?

Scientists have identified a gene that’s killing purebred dogs. Does that even matter?

By Sara Chodosh

hispaniola solenodon

These animals have nipples on their butts and that is not the most fascinating thing about them

By Sara Chodosh

23andMe can now test for BRCA mutations. Here’s what you need to know.

23andMe can now test for BRCA mutations. Here’s what you need to know.

By Sara Chodosh

Lefties, you should feel very special

Lefties, you should feel very special

By Thomas Merritt/The Conversation

‘Incredible genes’ can only do so much to counteract an unhealthy lifestyle

‘Incredible genes’ can only do so much to counteract an unhealthy lifestyle

By Claire Maldarelli

Everything you ever wanted to know about your double chin

Everything you ever wanted to know about your double chin

By Eleanor Cummins

Everything your biology teacher told you about earlobes is wrong

Everything your biology teacher told you about earlobes is wrong

By Claire Maldarelli

brief history cover, black cover gold outline of a leaf with white text

Yes, you are probably descended from royalty. So is everyone else.

By Adam Rutherford

Pumpkins evolved from a literal genetic (monster) mash-up

Pumpkins evolved from a literal genetic (monster) mash-up

By Sara Chodosh

The first genetically engineered humans might not have their DNA tweaked at all

The first genetically engineered humans might not have their DNA tweaked at all

By Claire Maldarelli

Your DNA probably didn’t make you do it

Your DNA probably didn’t make you do it

By Nicole Wetsman