Gene Editing Won’t Work on Complex Traits Like Intelligence
As we consider the ethics of human gene editing, we need to understand what can and can’t be meaningfully edited. Last week, scientists gathered in Washington, DC for the International Summit on Human Gene Editing to discuss a technology called CRISPR-CAS9, which can insert, remove and change the DNA of basically any organism. It is…
Is Double-Dipping Actually a Health Risk?
What do you do when you are left with half a chip in your hand after dipping? Admit it, you’ve wondered whether it’s OK to double dip the chip. Maybe you’re the sort who dips their chip only once. Maybe you look around the room before loading your half-eaten chip with a bit more dip,…
Hard Labour: The Case For Testing Drugs on Pregnant Women
Traditionally, expectant mothers have been excluded from clinical trials, but could this practice be doing more harm than good? Emily Anthes investigates. When the heart stops beating, minutes matter. With every minute that passes before a rhythm is restored, a patient’s odds of survival plummet. Which is why Anne Lyerly was surprised when, one night…
Brand-Name Drugs Increase Cost—But Not Patient Satisfaction
In recent days, presidential candidates and even the American Medical Association have griped about rising drug prices, pointing to brand-name blockbusters with splashy ad campaigns. When it comes to patient satisfaction, however, there isn’t much difference between brands and generics, according to data collected by the website Iodine, which is building a repository of user…
How Much Would You Pay to Live an Extra Year?
People at the end of life may not actually be the best target for expensive drugs. Medical science continues to push at the boundaries of life and death with new drugs and technologies that can extend life or improve health. But these advances come at a cost. And that inevitably raises difficult questions about whether…