Dr. Hsien Lei of the DNA Network informed us about a new blog launch, HUGO MATTERS from the International Human Genome Organization (HUGO).
The HUGO is a group of scientists involved in genetic and genomic research whose aims are to assist coordination of research and foster collaboration of scientists.
HUGO Matters will be a central hub for HUGO’s HUGO’s social networking efforts. Readers can discuss relevant topics in genomics including research, ethics, social issues and even education, according to HUGO president Prof. Edison T Liu.
As part of the blog launch, HUGO is offering a free meeting registration at …read more

Did you know that Angelina Jolie is a distant cousin of Camilla the Duchess, Madonna, Shania Twain AND Hilary Clinton?
 
Man has an innate itch to find out where he came from, be it by evolution or ancestry. In a way it helps us connect with people from our past and gives us roots. So it’s no surprise that DNA testing for ancestry or population of origin has mushroomed in the past few years with the growth of direct-to-consumer companies.
Now, the American Society of Human Genetics is concerned about the implications of carrying out such tests without guidelines …read more

It’s not too often in genetics that we hear about finding evidence that a gene lowers the risk of disease.
This latest news must have been greeted with cautionary hope at the American Society of Human Genetics meeting in Philadelphia. According to the Scientist, a large-effect allele that provides protection against autism was found on chromosome 5 near the semaphorin 5A (SEMA5A) gene, which is involved in guiding neural axons during development. The same group also found two genes not previously linked to autism, one at the tip of chromosome 20’s short arm, and one at the end of chromosome …read more