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."
Genetic Testing! The Solution to All Your Parenting Woes!
November 20, 2009
PZ Myers got sent a link to My Gene Profile — the site's tagline is "Our Technology Spawned from Human Genome Project led by US Scientists. The Industry is Featured by CNN, CBS News." The video there says that their service can discover children's "inborn talents" and, from identifying that, customers' children will be happier and more confident and "parenting problems will disappear." Or as Myers puts it: "What you'll find there is a long video where the lowlife in a suit talks about how your children have in-built genetic biases."
Daniel MacArthur also caught wind of the site. He calls it "the most aggressively bad attempt at a genetic testing product I have ever encountered, coupled with a truly horrific attitude to parenting." He and Myers remind everyone that this is a scam.