January 29, 2011
Insightful and poignant, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks takes an unflinching look at the history of the first “immortal” human cell line, the scientists involved in its discovery, the woman whose cells were used, and the impact it has … Read More
May 26, 2010
By an overwhelming majority, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill last week that would provide payment incentives for states to collect genetic material — by force, if necessary — from individuals arrested for certain crimes, regardless of if … Read More
July 14, 2008
Well-researched and current to the fast-moving field of stem cell research — using both embryonic and “adult” cells — Russell Korobkin navigates the complex interaction of laws, legal precedents, patents, and public policy. However, this book comes up short of … Read More
February 2, 2008
This is my third and final article in a series on the bioarts, a relatively new field in which artists are using living tissue and organisms to create their works. Earlier, I addressed the question, What is bioart? and also … Read More
January 27, 2008
This is the second posting on the bioarts, a relatively new field in which artists are using living tissue and organisms to create their works. I offered a glimpse into the world of bioart in my previous article, and will … Read More
January 19, 2008
This is the first posting of a series on the bioarts, a relatively new field in which artists are using living tissue and organisms to create their works. This article addresses the question, What is Bioart? In future postings I … Read More
November 20, 2007
A new biotech company, 23andMe.com, has opened its doors in Silicon Valley. 23andMe offers a genetic profiling service to anyone willing to pay the $999 lab fee and provide a sample of cells from their saliva (much like many of … Read More
August 18, 2007
Ten years since the highly publicized chess match between Gary Kasparov and the Deep Blue supercomputer, Daniel Dennett from Tufts University reflects on the significance and legacy of Deep Blue’s win in “Higher Games,” a recommended read in MIT’s latest … Read More
September 27, 2006
On a recent business trip, I ran across an ad announcing “immediate availability” of donated eggs that a “sophisticated” couple could purchase for in-vitro fertilization. Meanwhile, USA Today has uncovered that some young women are paying their way through college … Read More
September 21, 2006
Though most issues in bioethics focus on the edges of the human life span – the very young and the very old – it is equally important to stress our respect for the dignity of all regardless of factors like … Read More
August 30, 2006
A trio of articles this week on how the brain may form and maintain memories in the journal Science has led certain news outlets to jump to conclusions about the nature of the human brain and our present ability to … Read More
August 23, 2006
LiveScience is reporting that neuroscientists have found that our brains boot “like a computer” as we rouse from sleep. While the article is sparse on details, I suspect brains require much more than “puffs of nitric oxide” to even begin … Read More
August 15, 2006
BusinessWeek recently ran two commentaries on a genetic test known as pre-implantation genetic haplotyping, or PGH. This new method will enable fertility clinics to quickly detect over 6,000 genetic disorders when screening for healthy embryos created in-vitro. The first article, … Read More
August 8, 2006
In the wake of Floyd Landis’ positive test results for synthetic testosterone doping, The Onion.com – a popular adult news parody site – is running a special report: “Your Favorite Player Took Steroids.” They also lampoon the beleaguered Tour de … Read More
