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30 Oct 2010 12:27

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Biz, Tech: Does the U.S. think companies should patent genes?

  • NO they think that genes are part of nature and shouldn’t be source
  • » Why this is a big deal: Well, among other things, this is a change of policy for them, one that could make it harder for the biotechnology and medicine industries to keep innovations unique. We wish that the government would make this distinction on software patents over trivial things. See, that’s where a change in decision is necessary.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Sep 2010 12:39

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U.S.: Next up for carnivores: genetically-engineered salmon

Who wants genetically engineered salmon? If approved by the FDA, it would be the first genetically modified animal given a thumbs-up. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 Jul 2010 11:09

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Tech: Guy behind Human Genome Project: It’s “useless information”

  • We have, in truth, learned nothing from the genome other than probabilities. How does a 1 or 3 percent increased risk for something translate into the clinic? It is useless information.
  • Human Genome Project researcher Craig Venter • Regarding the end result (as of right now) of all the work he did with the Human Genome Project. “We couldn’t even be certain from my genome what my eye color was,” he also claims. “Isn’t that sad?” These are harsh words because of the fact that he spent so much of his life working on this project. But it doesn’t mean it’s a total wash – Venter is looking to use his history in genetic research to help create new forms of energy. Which, let’s face it, would be cool. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Jul 2010 09:57

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Tech: Whoa: Are the roots of human sperm 600 million years old?

  • So, yeah, that’s kinda old, guys. Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine recently released a new study noting that the genetic secret sauce in human sperm, a gene named Boule, is apparently so important that it’s found in nearly all animals – something not confirmed before the study. “Our findings also show that humans, despite how complex we are, across the evolutionary lines all the way to flies, which are very simple, still have one fundamental element that’s shared,” said Eugene Xu, author of the study published in the latest issue of PLoS Genetics. So, why are they researching it? Well, they’re trying to get to the root of male infertility; Boule would be important to target for such a drug. Neat. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

13 Jun 2010 11:51

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Tech: The Human Genome Project didn’t cure cancer after all, guys

  • $3
    billion     amount that was spent to decode the human genome, a project finished a decade ago
  • not
    much     the project’s benefit to the medical world since then (its original selling point) source
  • » Clarification: While the completion of the Human Genome Project led to Bill Clinton saying that it will “revolutionize the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of most, if not all, human diseases,” it hasn’t led to direct cures but perhaps more informed answers. It’s becoming clear to some that rare variants, not common genes, are likely the cause of many diseases. Meaning it’s not a silver bullet but a definite starting point. “Genomics is a way to do science, not medicine,” said Harold Varmus, the incoming chair of the National Cancer Institute.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 4 Comments • Permalink

07 Jan 2010 10:55

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Tech: A good percentage of human beings already going viral

  • 8% of DNA in human beings comes from a virus source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Jan 2009 02:42

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World: 1% of everybody’s got a faulty heart

  • 1% of people could be destined for heart disease based on genetics, especially in India. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
 
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