Human Genetic Variation Alters Anthrax Toxin Sensitivity
Martchenko, Candille et al., PNAS
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine show that genetic variation affecting capillary morphogenesis gene 2, or CMG2, dramatically alters toxin sensitivity in humans. In its analysis, the team reports on "a CMG2 single-nucleotide polymorphism occurring frequently in African and European populations [that they found] independently altered toxin uptake." The group goes on to suggest "testing of genomically characterized human cell populations may offer a broadly useful strategy for elucidating effects of genetic variation on infectious disease susceptibility."
The Company's Gone, But What About the Data?
September 14, 2009
Inspired by the financial problems at TruGenetics and DeCode, a guest post at Genetic Future from Genomics Law Report's Daniel Vorhaus and Lawrence Moore discusses what happens when a direct-to-consumer genomics company goes out of business. In particular, they take a look at the company's privacy and confidentiality policies. What will become of the users' data comes down to that fine print. Vorhaus and Moore conclude: