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My Genome, My Self
Despite Steven Pinker’s best efforts to know himself through genomics—most notably through donating his genome to to the public domain—he eventually concludes that “even when the effect of some gene is indubitable, the sheer complexity of the self will mean that it will not serve as an oracle on what the person will do.” It’s good to know we have some free will left. - 14 Percent of U.S. Adults Can’t Read
How can we save the U.S. economy if a startling number of Americans remain illiterate? Even Zimbabwe, which struggles with cholera outbreaks, has a literacy rate higher than the United States. - FDA to Evaluate Drugs Made by Genetically Modified Goats
Goat’s seem to be the guinea pigs of the genetic age, what with having their milk modified to contain spider silk, and now being used to stockpile rare drugs. It puts a whole new spin on goat cheese. - You Want Me - I Can Smell It
What must the initial epiphany moment have been like for these neuroscientists? Of course! We will just subject female test subjects to the sweat of aroused men while we MRI their brain! - Superloud moth jams bat sonar
Evolution always manages to surprise scientists when it comes to organisms developing defense mechanisms, but should they really be that surprised?
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Originally published January 12, 2009
