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."
We Laughed, We Cried, We Kept Reading More
October 21, 2009
It's not every day we get to (or want to) recommend reading a law journal. But Genomics Law Report has put together a great assembly of articles on ELSI in a series called "What ELSI Is New?" Misha Angrist offers an entertaining essay to get clinical geneticists ready for an onslaught of patients who have their DNA information, while Bob Cook-Deegan explores the ethical challenges coming down the pike as sequencing takes off and thousands of DNA patents exist. Esther Dyson pitches in a piece entitled "How will we handle the capability and responsibility of creating human life according to spec?" Meantime, Genetic Alliance's Sharon Terry calls for a registry of genetic tests, and HudsonAlpha's Chris Gunter says it's time to rethink how science is communicated to the non-scientific world. There are plenty of other great entries in the series, so check out the whole thing.