Mysterious episodes of genetic duplication in our great ape ancestors may have paved the way for human evolution By Emily Singer and Quanta Magazine SRGAP2: Whereas chimps and orangutans have only one, humans have multiple copies of the gene SRGAP2 which is believed to be involved in the development of the brain. Image: Dennis/Cell/Quanta From Quanta Magazine (find original story here). About 8 million to 12 million years ago, the ancestor of great apes, including humans, underwent a dramatic genetic change. Small pieces of DNA replicated and spread across their resident chromosomes like dandelions across a lawn. But as these dandelion seeds dispersed, they carried some grass and daisy seeds additional segments of DNA along for the ride. This unusual pattern, repeated in different parts of the genome, is found only in great apes bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and humans. I think its a missing piece of human evolution, said Evan Eichler, a geneticist at the University of Washington, in Seattle. My feeling is that these duplication blocks have been the substrate for the birth of new genes. Over the past few years, scientists have begun to uncover the function of a handful of genes that reside in these regions; they … Continue reading →

Clinical Chemistry Womens Health Issue Explores the Ethics of Genetic Testing for Reproduction WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2014 /Emag.co.uk/ Jodi Picoults 2004 novel My Sisters Keeper became a bestseller by exploring the fate of a young girl who is genetically engineered to be a donor match for her cancer-stricken older sister. My Sisters Keeper is fiction, but it is based on the reality of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). A new Q&A in the Advancing Womens Health issue of Clinical Chemistry, the journal of AACC, explores the ethics of PGD, a form of genetic testing that has already made it possible for parents to conceive a child who is a donor match for a sick relative, who shares their minor disability (such as deafness), or to select gender. (Photo:Listen to a podcast with Q&A moderator Ann M. Gronowski, PhD, and bioethicist Arthur L. Caplan, PhD. Share this story on Twitter. PGD was developed after the invention of in vitro fertilization and the ability to culture embryos in vitro, and in many respects, it is similar to the prenatal diagnosis used to screen fetuses for genetic diseases before birth. Its advantage is that it allows parents to choose which embryos to implant in … Continue reading →

Beverly Hills, California (PRWEB) January 06, 2014 The top stem cell clinic in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, Beverly Hills Institute of Cellular Therapy, is now offering revolutionary stem cell facelift procedures with a New Years pricing special. The procedure involves a nonoperative technique with amniotic stem cells performed by licensed providers. No incisions are necessary, and the outpatient procedures are being offered at 20% off regular price. Call (424) 253-5577 for more information and scheduling. Traditional facelift procedures involve anesthesia, incisions and significant healing time. A stem cell facelift procedure is performed as an outpatient with no incisions or systemic anesthesia necessary. The Beverly Hills Institute utilizes amniotic stem cells, which are processed at an FDA regulated lab and have been used over 10,000 times without adverse events. Stem cells have the capability to eliminate wrinkles and provide the skin with a more youthful, glowing appearance. The procedure allows patients to avoid the risks of infection and no stitches are necessary. It costs considerably less than a traditional facelift and now at 20% off is a great option for those desiring to look younger without going through separate procedures for each facial area. As individuals age, the skin tone … Continue reading →

As scientists get closer to using embryonic stem cells in new treatments for blindness, spinal cord injuries and heart disease, a U.S. legal debate could determine who profits from that research. Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit advocacy group, wants an appeals court to invalidate a University of Wisconsin-Madisons patentfor stem cells derived from human embryos, saying its too similar to earlier research. The Santa Monica, California, group also says the U.S. Supreme Courts June ruling limiting ownership rights of human genes should apply to stem cells, a potentially lucrative field for medical breakthroughs. The challenge to Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the universitys licensing arm, is about whether patents help or hinder U.S. stem-cell research, which has been stymied by political debate. The consumer group says it drives up the cost of research by requiring companies and some academics to pay a licensing fee to the university. What were asking the government to do is say WARF has no right to the patent, said Dan Ravicher, executive director Public Patent Foundation in New York, which is handling the challenge for Consumer Watchdog. Its like the government sent a check to WARF they didnt deserve. Consumer Watchdog lost a challenge at the U.S. … Continue reading →