The hottest Genetics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Genghis Khan: they don’t make stars like they used to

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 429 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
💾 History Genetics
  1. In 2003, research revealed that a significant number of men worldwide are direct descendants of Genghis Khan, showing how a single lineage can rapidly expand across generations.
  2. The genetic legacy of powerful individuals like Genghis Khan can have a lasting impact on populations through prolific breeding and intermarriages.
  3. Studies on Y-chromosomal lineages, like those associated with Genghis Khan, indicate social selection through behaviors like conquest and harem-building driving the sudden expansion of specific genetic lineages.

A Century-Long Saga of Familial Colorectal Cancer

Holodoxa • 79 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics
  1. The study of Michigan and Nebraskan families led to the discovery of mutated mismatch repair genes causing hereditary colorectal cancers like Lynch syndrome.
  2. Mismatch repair genes play a crucial role in maintaining DNA integrity and preventing cancer development. Defects in these genes can lead to conditions like microsatellite instability.
  3. Individuals with Lynch syndrome have higher cancer risks associated with certain genes like MLH1 and MSH2, but a relatively good clinical outcome is observed with improved survival rates.

Family Curses Are Real

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 508 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics
  1. Family curses may not be supernatural, but can persist through generations via genetics and culture.
  2. Breaking hereditary curses can be challenging, as they involve genetic diversity and avoiding inbreeding.
  3. Diversity, both genetic and cultural, can help mitigate the impact of family curses and prevent their perpetuation.

DNA Fragments as Vaccine Adjuvants

Who is Robert Malone • 12 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. DNA fragments used in vaccine production may pose risks if they integrate into human cells. This could affect how our cells produce proteins and replicate.
  2. Injecting 'naked' DNA or RNA can allow cells to take up these materials directly, which can be used for vaccine development.
  3. CpG sequences in DNA fragments can enhance immune responses and have been explored in various vaccines, but their presence in mRNA vaccines raises safety and patent concerns for companies like Pfizer.

Embryo selection and our Stone Age psychology

Parrhesia • 494 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Selection for traits like emotional intelligence can enhance human flourishing
  2. Clinical traits are viewed as acceptable for embryo selection as they reduce debilitating conditions
  3. Evolutionary mismatch shows our psychology hasn't caught up with modern advancements
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Tromp and Racism

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 01 May 24
💾 History Genetics
  1. Francis Galton advocated for eugenic breeding based on historical geniuses, but his methodology was flawed due to privilege and biases
  2. Tromp's rise in the naval ranks was largely due to his father's influence, showcasing how privilege can overshadow actual ability
  3. Galton's ideas on hereditary genius and scientific racism highlight the dangers of attributing success solely to genetics, legitimizing historical injustices and fostering bigotry

Action Potentials for February

Neurobiology Notes • 78 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. A study found that naturally occurring place cells do not have higher excitability than non-place cells
  2. Heterozygous states can have biological effects even in diseases traditionally thought of as 'dominant'
  3. Increasing social isolation is a public health crisis, comparable to the health impact of smoking and heavy drinking

Gattaca is Here

Nothing Human is Alien • 39 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. The technology to select genetic traits in embryos is becoming more advanced and accessible, with possibilities ranging from preventing diseases to enhancing traits like intelligence and happiness.
  2. Genetic selection through technologies like Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) raises ethical concerns due to its potential to create a two-tiered society and impact the essence of humanity.
  3. Although genetic selection technology poses risks, it also holds the promise of eradicating diseases, promoting happier individuals, and potentially enhancing cognitive abilities to unprecedented levels.

Letter to Mother Nature: Amendments to the Human Constitution

Extropic Thoughts • 78 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. The essay discusses amending the human constitution to overcome limitations like aging and death.
  2. It proposes expanding human perceptual abilities and enhancing intelligence through biotechnology and neural improvements.
  3. The amendments aim to move humanity towards a posthuman condition, integrating technology into individuals for unprecedented innovation.

EviziaDx PRECYSE - An AFM for DNA QC

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 22 Aug 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. EviziaDx PRECYSE is a new tool for checking the quality of DNA samples using advanced imaging techniques. It allows scientists to see individual molecules and measure their lengths accurately.
  2. This tool uses atomic force microscopy (AFM), which is quite expensive and needs special conditions to work properly. Despite these challenges, the images produced are very fascinating.
  3. Instead of traditional methods like electrophoresis and UV-spectroscopy, this technology offers a more detailed look at DNA fragments, pushing boundaries in DNA quality control.

Dispatches from the GWAS Era

Holodoxa • 79 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) help understand how genes influence traits and diseases by identifying genetic variants associated with specific traits using large sample sizes and statistical tests.
  2. GWAS provide insights into biological mechanisms, heritability of traits, and can generate polygenic risk scores to predict disease risk based on genetic profiles.
  3. GWAS require large sample sizes and collaborative efforts, showcasing their ongoing utility in genetic research for discovering associations between genetic variants and complex traits.

The two Indo-European revolutions and Germania’s rise

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 274 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
💾 History Genetics
  1. The rise and fall of different cultures in pre-Roman Germany was influenced by successive trends in artifacts and genetics, highlighting a transition from Bronze Age patriarchies to new ruling elites.
  2. The Beaker revolution in Central Europe saw the replacement of Corded Ware male lineages dominated by R1a with a rise in the R1b haplogroup, indicating a shift in ruling elite and population dynamics.
  3. The Beaker people's expansion from western Germany led to genetic subsuming of previous populations in Britain and Ireland, contributing to the formation of proto-Germanic tribes in antiquity.

Green Goo (Republished)

De Novo • 110 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Synthetic biology can create engineered organisms, which may outcompete natural organisms and harm ecosystems. We need to be careful about the kinds of organisms we create and the possible consequences.
  2. Creating mirror-image organisms could lead to unexpected environmental problems. If these organisms take over, they could cause damage far beyond what we're prepared for.
  3. We should invest in ways to contain engineered organisms and be aware of the risks of releasing them into nature. It's important to proceed cautiously when considering big changes to global ecosystems.

American Fertility Still Runs in Families

Bet On It • 115 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics
  1. Fertility is largely influenced by genetics. People from bigger families tend to have more children themselves.
  2. Recent studies show that the connection between family size and having children is actually getting stronger over time.
  3. While family size impacts future fertility, societal factors are also important, and there has been a decline in overall fertility rates in recent years.

Pedophile Problems (v2)

Secretum Secretorum • 505 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics
  1. Ethical dilemmas arise when teaching and mentoring individuals with a history of heinous crimes like pedophilia.
  2. Taboos around discussing pedophilia can hinder conversations about related issues such as mentoring and societal norms.
  3. The genetic component of pedophilia and potential medical interventions raise complex ethical questions that society will inevitably need to address.

Comparisons Are Necessary

Parrhesia • 456 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Comparisons, even sensitive ones, are crucial in scientific and political contexts.
  2. Ignoring genetics in discussions can lead to misunderstandings and replication problems.
  3. Selecting healthier embryos based on genetics for future children is reasonable and beneficial.

The Last Great Naturalist

Holodoxa • 99 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Life science research was pioneered by naturalists who explored and documented nature, influencing key scientific paradigms like evolution and genetics.
  2. E.O. Wilson, a revered naturalist and scientist, contributed significantly to fields such as myrmecology, sociobiology, and conservation.
  3. Wilson's work sparked debate in the scientific community, particularly around sociobiology, which explores the genetic basis of social behavior in animals, including humans.

What Science Can Learn from Car Mechanics

Asimov Press • 251 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Applying the Five Whys technique helps to identify the root cause of complex problems effectively.
  2. Investigating and understanding the root cause of diseases like diabetes requires in-depth research and methodology.
  3. In science, it's crucial to focus on finding root causes in biology and medicine to advance our understanding of complex diseases.

The COB vision

The Century of Biology • 408 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. The newsletter focuses on cutting-edge biotech research
  2. The author is dedicated to accelerating the biotechnological revolution
  3. Newsletter content includes data/research, companies/strategy/analysis, and philosophy

Sequencing is Dead...?

ASeq Newsletter • 36 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics
  1. Getting standard diagnostic tests, like a CT scan, can be easy, but getting more complex tests, especially for specific conditions, can be very hard and take a long time.
  2. There's a noticeable difference in how quickly patients can access basic medical procedures versus advanced genetic testing, which can be frustrating.
  3. Investors seem unsure about the future of sequencing companies, especially since many of them are not making profits or showing much growth.

Technology is Reshaping Human History

The Digital Anthropologist • 59 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Digital technologies are reshaping human history, impacting our future in significant ways. It's an exciting time to be alive.
  2. Advancements like AI and genetic engineering are revealing new insights into ancient civilizations, genetics, and human evolution.
  3. Technologies such as LIDAR, genetic analysis tools, and AI are helping discover ancient civilizations and rewrite textbooks in anthropology and archaeology.

Action Potentials for August

Neurobiology Notes • 58 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. New microscopy method combines electron microscopy with fluorescence imaging for detailed mapping of cell types, proteins, and synaptic connections in neuroscience.
  2. Memory ensembles in the brain are formed by neurons with high excitability, helping link memories and facilitating memory recall.
  3. Memory engrams exist across multiple brain areas, and bioelectric fields may coordinate memory ensembles distributed in the brain.

Recommendations for March 28, 2023

Extropic Thoughts • 58 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Water found on the moon in tiny glass beads may help future space missions.
  2. New propulsion concept by NASA could reach interstellar space in under 5 years.
  3. Discussions on nuclear power covering safety concerns, economics, and weapons proliferation.

Protein Sequencing Companies In Review

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Protein sequencing is harder than DNA sequencing because it involves single molecules and many different amino acids, making detection tricky.
  2. Despite the challenges, protein sequencing is often about counting the same sequences many times, which might ease some of the technical demands.
  3. With advancements like nanopore technology, the future of protein sequencing could become more practical and efficient for researchers.

Public Views on Polygenic Screening of Embryos

Parrhesia • 380 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Genome-wide association studies have enabled geneticists to associate single nucleotide polymorphisms with physical and behavioral outcomes.
  2. Polygenic scores (PGS) can estimate risk based on a person's genome, aiding in embryo selection through preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic traits (PGT-P).
  3. Public attitudes towards services like PGT-P and gene editing for morally acceptable interventions show some acceptance but also raise concerns about stigmatization and potential misuse of genetic technologies.

Race, Gender and IQ

David Friedman’s Substack • 323 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Publicly discussing racial and gender differences in IQ can lead to accusations of prejudice, as seen in the cases of James Watson and Lawrence Summers.
  2. Evidence suggests that the genetic IQ of Africans is comparable to that of whites, challenging previous assumptions of lower intelligence.
  3. Nurture may play a smaller role than nature in influencing outcomes, as seen in a study of Korean-American children placed for adoption.

Genetics can predict height, cancer risks, neuropsychiatric diseases and more — but not IQ?

Nucleus Genomics • 4 HN points • 11 Jul 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Genetics can help us understand traits like height and disease risks, but predicting intelligence (IQ) is much more complex and not fully possible yet.
  2. Current genetic models can give partial insights about how genes may influence intelligence but cannot tell you your exact IQ.
  3. As technology improves, genetic predictions for traits, including intelligence, may get better, providing more useful information about how genetics interacts with environment.

Cheating at Evolution

Eat Shit and Prosper • 159 implied HN points • 01 Nov 22
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Bacteria can share genes with each other quickly, helping them adapt and survive in their environment. This 'horizontal gene transfer' allows them to grab useful traits without the slow process of traditional evolution.
  2. Some animals eat feces to gain beneficial bacteria that help them digest tough foods and absorb nutrients. This behavior helps spread helpful microbes more quickly among their populations.
  3. Understanding how microbes influence our health could lead to new treatments for various diseases. Using healthy microbes from poop could potentially improve a person's well-being significantly.

Forget Gene Therapy. Microbes are the Future of Medicine.

Eat Shit and Prosper • 159 implied HN points • 28 Oct 22
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Microbes in our gut act like software, constantly changing and adapting, while our genes stay mostly fixed. This flexibility allows our bodies to optimize their functions more effectively.
  2. Unlike permanent changes in our DNA, mutations in microbes can lead to quick advantages without the risk of harmful outcomes. This means our body can benefit from favorable changes without damaging our core genetic makeup.
  3. Using microbes to adapt to different diets or conditions is faster and less risky than gene therapy. Microbes evolve quickly, making them a promising tool for improving health and dealing with diseases.

Reasons to Be Grateful for Biotechnology

Asimov Press • 303 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Insulin is now made by engineered bacteria instead of pancreas glands from animals.
  2. Gene-edited hens can lay eggs producing only female chicks, reducing male chick culling.
  3. Biotechnology advancements have led to solutions like a malaria vaccine and gene therapies for diseases.

RKUL: Time Well Spent 03/03/2024

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 171 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Parents can now screen embryos during IVF using whole genome sequencing to check for hundreds of conditions, keeping families safe.
  2. The presence of maternal grandmothers has been linked to higher survivorship among grandchildren, showing the evolutionary importance of menopause.
  3. Research on ancient DNA and AI may offer valuable insights into human history, potentially surpassing the impact of ancient DNA studies.

Stories We’d Like to Publish

Asimov Press • 174 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Asimov Press is publicly sharing ideas for essays they'd like to publish and inviting writers to contribute by emailing them at [email protected].
  2. Topics in biotechnology range from synthetic blood development to artificial wombs and synthetic nitrogen fixation, showcasing the broad spectrum of innovative research being undertaken.
  3. Biotechnology advancements aim to address a variety of issues, such as animal welfare, predictive growth models for microbes, and challenges in protein structure prediction, highlighting the diverse applications and potential impact of biotechnological research.

The Struggle for Survival, Information, and Immortality

Ulysses • 59 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Living beings navigate the world by ingesting information to survive and evolve, as genes constantly adapt and species evolve through the exchange of genetic material.
  2. Human survival relies heavily on memetic information stored in our minds, with language playing a crucial role in passing on knowledge and shaping societies.
  3. Writing is a powerful tool for achieving a form of immortality by transferring ideas and knowledge across generations, transcending biological limitations.

Clinicians Hate NGS?

ASeq Newsletter • 72 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Genetics
  1. Many doctors are not keen on genetic tests because they believe the tests do not change how patients are treated. This attitude makes it hard for patients to get the tests they need.
  2. It's not just about the cost of testing; the main issue is that doctors often don't like running tests if they feel there's no direct benefit to patients.
  3. To improve the situation, we need to raise awareness among doctors and patients about the benefits of whole genome sequencing, especially for those with rare diseases. Grassroots efforts can help push for more understanding and acceptance of these tests.