SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 01, 2012
A British biotech lab has released huge numbers of genetically modified mosquitoes in an effort to combat dengue fever. But locals, some say, were not adequately informed of the experiment -- and now a debate has erupted over the potential dangers to humans. By Rafaela von Bredow more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- October 19, 2011
The European Court of Justice on Tuesday ruled that research using embryonic stem cells, in which the embryos are destroyed, cannot be patented. In Germany, where the research that prompted the original lawsuit was based, editorialists are mixed in their views of the ruling. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- July 07, 2011
A new measure passed by German lawmakers will let would-be parents test fertilized embryos for possible life-threatening genetic defects. Critics say "pre-implantation genetic diganosis" is a step toward designer babies -- but the law will now make exceptions to prevent stillbirths and genetic diseases. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- June 16, 2011
How Germanic is Great Britain really? Archeologists and geneticists have unveiled surprising revelations about the historical origins of people in the modern United Kingdom -- many of whom have ancestors who once crossed the North Sea. By Matthias Schulz more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 02, 2011
Evolution is fact. That, at least, is what evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins argues, making his case in his new book "The Greatest Show on Earth," which has just been published in German. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke with Dawkins about the shortcomings of religion, the grandeur of reality and the God Gene. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- September 06, 2010
Researchers have long overestimated the role our genes play in determining intelligence. As it turns out, cognitive skills do not depend on ethnicity, and are far more malleable than once thought. Targeted encouragement can help children from socially challenged families make better use of their potential. By Joerg Blech more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- July 29, 2010
In a SPIEGEL interview, genetic scientist Craig Venter discusses the 10 years he spent sequencing the human genome, why we have learned so little from it a decade on and the potential for mass production of artificial life forms that could be used to produce fuels and other resources. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- July 12, 2010
Following a federal court decision that would allow pre-implantation genetic diagnosis procedures in Germany, a number of conservative politicians are calling for a tightening of German law to ensure that "selection" of embryos cannot take place. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- July 07, 2010
Many worry that screening embryos pre-implantation, during fertility treatments, opens the door to gender selection and designer babies. But a German court on Tuesday decided to allow the practice. Commentators say that the ruling throws up more questions about genetic selection than answers. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 25, 2010
Have scientists identified a "homo incognitus" -- a previously unknown human species? Finger bones dating from 30,000 years ago were unearthed in southern Siberia. Its genes differ from those of modern humans as well as Neanderthals, and German scientists think they are onto a sensation. By Cinthia Briseño more...
