Testing your DNA? Here’s how different methods work
Lots of companies will now test DNA from people and their pets. How do these gene-sequencing techniques work? We explain.
DNA testing
1440 Findings
Hours of research by our editors, distilled into minutes of clarity.
Genetic predictions are more accurate if you’re white
Doctors dream of “precision medicine” guided by our genes. But right now, research too often excludes people of color (w/chart).
How prenatal genetic tests and abortion restrictions clash
Ann was 15 weeks pregnant with her fourth child when the results of her prenatal genetic test indicated something was very wrong.
The lack of diversity in DNA databases limits their applications
European ancestry dominates genetic research, hindering the usage of genetic databases for precision medicine for other groups, including African Americans, who face higher health risks due to genetic variants. Many indigenous communities have also resisted genetic research due to past exploitation.
Using public gene databases to track down criminals
Rules governing how police can use DNA searches in genealogy databases aren’t clear, raising civil rights and privacy concerns.
The promises and perils of using at-home genetic tests for your health
A primer on genetic testing, personalized medicine, and the promise of pharmacogenomics–the use of genetics to predict an individual's response to a drug.
Scientists are looking to genetics to explain autism
Researchers have ditched the autism-vaccine hypothesis. Here’s what they think actually causes it.
Why your dog’s DNA isn’t destiny
DNA tests tell people about their pet’s breed and attempt to predict things about its behavior and health. But for all that these tests might provide some interesting results, they need to be taken with caution. Here's a look at what we can and can't learn from our pets' DNA.
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