Ricki Lewis
Genetic Literacy
Glenville, NY, United States
Contact Ricki
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Past articles by Ricki:
Unveiling the genome of the ancient dingo — whose DNA is in every dog in the world
“Maybe a dingo ate your baby!” suggested Elaine Benis (Julia Louis Dreyfus) in an episode of Seinfeld in season 3, bumped from season 2 because Larry David → Read More
Viewpoint: Does mounting evidence for vaccine “durability” suggest we delay boosters for all until we learn more?
When President Biden announced that beginning the week of September 20, “anyone vaccinated on or before January 20 will be eligible to get a booster shot,” → Read More
The Genomic Scars of Anti-Semitism
Tomorrow is the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, “The Night of Broken Glass.” On November 9 and 10, 1938, Storm Troopers, Hitler Youth, and civilians rampaged through Nazi Germany, shattering the windows of more than a thousand synagogues, Jewish homes, and more than 7,000 businesses, arresting 30,000 Jews and transporting them to concentration camps. Some say the event marked the start of the… → Read More
Naming genetic diseases: There's more to it than you might think
An effort is underway to streamline the way we name genetic diseases, with an emphasis on imparting useful medical information, without creating offensive monikers. → Read More
Gene therapy creates boy's replacement skin from his stem cells
Doctors treated a 7-year-old boy’s devastating genetic skin disease—junctional epidermolysis bullosa—by genetically modifying his stem cells to create a new epidermis to cover most of his body. → Read More
Genetic Literacy Project’s Top 6 Stories for the Week – Oct. 23, 2017
Genetic engineering and gene silencing could fight deadly crop mycotoxins—if not blocked by activists | Andrew Porterfield When does life begin? Here are 1 → Read More
When does life begin? Here are 17 points in time to consider
The US Department of Health and Human Services has taken the official position that life begins at conception. Here's a look at the stages of human development and an argument for which of them might cross the line to life. → Read More
Will genetics ever be able to predict the next mass murderer?
There have been repeated attempts over the past 50 years to find genetic links to criminal behavior or mass murderers such as Stephen Paddock. But every promising development has thus far ended in the realization that there is no easy answer. → Read More
Predicting Alzheimer’s: 31-gene test may offer strongest risk assessment
The APOE4 e4 gene has long been associated with an elevated risk for alzheimer's. But a new test panel involving a combination of 31-genes may be more powerful at helping people deal with the disease. → Read More
Treating aggressive brain cancer with poliovirus
The idea of using a modified poliovirus as a treatment for glioblastoma brain cancer isn't new. But recent research shows the virus may provide treatment options for other cancers as well by boosting patients' immune systems. → Read More
Upchuck factor: Alcoholism targeted with novel gene therapy
Researchers are exploring the use of a naturally occurring mutation that causes people to get sick after drinking alcohol. The mutation is commonly found in people with East Asian ancestry. → Read More
CRISPR opens window into early stages of human embryo development
Work in the UK involving CRISPR and human embryos illustrates the value of the gene editing technique in basic research at a time when attention has been focused on its potential for germline editing and creating designer babies. → Read More
Finding hope for children with multiple sulfatase deficiency
Willow was born on August 21, 2013. At first she seemed fine, except for difficulty nursing. “Nothing in itself was significant, but a combination of thing → Read More
Preventing preterm birth: Preemie genes identified
A global team of researchers has zeroed in on genes that affect the length of pregnancy and may foretell elevated risk of premature birth. → Read More
'Genome cloaking' and the quest to keep DNA test results private
Stanford University researchers have developed a tool to keep individual genetic information private, reducing the risk of discrimination by employers and insurers. → Read More
Could a Planet of the (Talking) Apes ever really evolve?
War for the Planet of the Apes is the latest entry in the 50-year old franchise. A scientist asks: do any of these movies make any sense, scientifically? → Read More
Could gene editing have saved Charlie Gard?
The British infant died of a mitochondrial disease as news broke that US scientists had successfully edited a human embryo for the first time. Does the advancement open new avenues of treatment, or prevention, for the disease? → Read More
Pioneering gene therapy restores vision to people with rare retinal blindness
Spark Therapeutics is moving forward with its treatment for a type of inherited retinal dystrophy. In the wake of the FDA's preliminary approval, it could be available in 2018. → Read More
Designer babies? US scientists swap DNA in embryos, replacing mutation that causes heart problems
The breakthrough procedure might better be called 'gene correction' rather than gene editing. It could revolutionize genetic disease treatments, but high hurdles remain before clinical trial planning is on the horizon. → Read More
Breaking: First US gene-edited human embryo received healthy replacement DNA copy
The breakthrough procedure might better be called 'gene correction' rather than gene editing. It could revolutionize genetic disease treatments, but high hurdles remain before clinical trial planning is on the horizon. → Read More