Genetics

Scientists Use DNA to Determine Food Contents

Wondering what's really in those meatballs? German scientists have come up with a way to determine the precise quantities of plant, animal and microbial substances in foods using DNA analysis. The technique could prove beneficial for people with food allergies, to test for pathogens in foodborne-ill ... More >>

The GMO Fight Moves to Washington State

In November, California had the chance to pass the country's first wide-sweeping law mandating the labeling of foods made with genetically modified ingredients. But after a long fight, with celebrities weighing in and big ag companies pouring millions into a campaign to defeat the law, Proposition 3 ... More >>

First Frankenfish Poised to Hit Your Plate

Anti-GMO fanatics, start your engines. The first genetically altered fish is about to hit your plates. According to The New York Times, "government regulators moved a big step closer last Friday to allowing the first genetically engineered animal -- a fast-growing salmon -- to enter the nation's fo ... More >>

Molly Munger's Prop. 38 and Anti-GMO Prop. 37 Draw Reader Response

Proposition 37 Genetically Modified Food Fight

Could spawn endless lawsuits against small shops

Scientists Create Frankencows to Produce Hypoallergenic Milk

In what some might see as a disturbing moove move in the whole Frankenfood trend, cows in New Zealand have been genetically engineered to produce hypoallergenic milk. The target consumer is the 1.3 million children with milk allergies (which apparently includes nauseous young Justin Bieber). (What ... More >>

The Amazing Spider-Man Review: The Spider Becomes a Man — and a Joy

Scientists Decode the Genome of the Tomato

In what gives us high hopes for the future of the tomato, Reuters reports that scientists in the Tomato Genome Consortium have decoded the entire genome sequence of a domesticated tomato breed named Heinz 1706 that, yes, is the same breed used to make Heinz ketchup. The genome of its closest wild r ... More >>

Dennis Hedgecock: The Oyster Is His World

One of the fascinating Angelenos featured in L.A. Weekly's People 2012 issue. Check out our entire People 2012 issue here. Dennis Hedgecock wants to breed a better oyster to feed the world. Since 99 percent of the biosphere's volume is sea water, it's time to put it to work. Oysters are a nearly ... More >>

Red Wine's Anti-Aging Properties Confirmed in Study

What magic potion may improve the health of those on a high-fat diet and slow down the aging process? It's nothing new -- it's that same stuff Louis Pasteur called "the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages." Even the Bible recommended using a little of it "for thy stomach's sake and thine o ... More >>

Rubus Ursinus: A Guide to the Elusive Pacific Blackberry

Lawsuit Alleges That SunChips Are Not "All-Natural"

Pleasantly surprised that the SunChips and Tostitos you munched on during the Super Bowl were stamped "All-Natural"? Hopefully, you're not a Pats fan, else you're in for another letdown: a lawsuit filed last week against the chips' manufacturer, Frito-Lay, alleges that the snacks are not all-natura ... More >>

Scientists Developing Salt-Resistant Rice

Flickr/tamaki​Prompted in part by the scores of rice crops that were destroyed by last year's devastating Japan tsunami, scientists are developing a salt-resistant variety of rice, Voice of America reports. (Rice cannot survive in salt-contaminated soil, and 20,000 hectares of paddies were flo ... More >>

The Sixth Taste: Or, Why We Love Fat

Yogma/FlickrA Umami Burger​Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, savory (or umami) and... fat? For better or worse, most of us have an affinity for fatty foods, and if scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are correct, that affinity may have less to do with the texture, sm ... More >>

Cancer Virus in Nearly Everyone's Mouth, USC Says

Elizabeth Beers​Bad news: Almost every one of us has a virus that causes cancer, according to USC research released today. And it's in our mouths. The good news: Doctors might be able to treat it if it goes darkside and creates tumors in your pie hole (yeah, we said tumors in your pie hole). ... More >>

Happy Gene Discovered by UCLA Researchers (And it's Not Called Cocaine)

AirplaneHappy!​A UCLA psychology professor claims to have found the happy gene. The gene, the school reports this week, has been linked to optimism, self-esteem and mastery, or what UCLA explains as "the belief that one has control over one's own life." Well, we have news for you, "distingui ... More >>

Turn Off Your Taste Buds: Scientists Search For "Terminator Protein"

The mechanism that "turns on" taste cells (i.e. the lightning quick chain of events in which our brains process and respond to the foods we put on our tongues) is fairly well understood, at least for sweet, umami and bitter tastes. Scientists still don't have a clear understanding of what turns of ... More >>

Scientists Discover Obesity "Master Switch" Gene: And No, It Does Not Control Your Car Window

Flickr/Jeremy Brooksa drive-thru window view​ Yesterday Reuters reported that scientists have found a so-called "master switch" for obesity. And no, it is not the lock button on your car door window. Although given that the line of cars recently stacking up to order drive-thru at the first br ... More >>

Dear Lemon Lima

FDA May Approve First Genetically Modified Animal

Flickr user woodleywonderworksWould you eat this salmon if it were genetically altered?​ The Washington Post is reporting that the FDA may be getting ready to approve the first genetically modified animal for human consumption. The FDA released a briefing document stating that the food from A ... More >>

The Smell Of Michael Jackson, Hair And Now: Company Formulates Cologne Based On MJ DNA

​A company that makes fragrances based in part on the DNA of dead celebrities has unveiled a Michael Jackson signature scent that's purported to be based on genes extracted from locks collected from the pop star's head. Hairy! Los Angeles-based My DNA Fragrance recently partnered up with cele ... More >>

Call Her Maggie

Getting to Know Me

Tyranny of the Natural: David P. Barash's Natural Selections

"Dangerous David" on the wonderful complexities and conundrums of our evolutionary selves

¡Ask a Mexican! Playing the Numbers

The God of Sperm

In an industry veiled in secrecy, a powerful L.A. sperm peddler shapes the nation’s rules on disease, genetics — and accidental incest

Letters: Digging the Roots

Our readers write

Press Here

Microediting to perfection at your Los Angeles Daily Benign-Gazette

Frankie B. Jeans & Genes

Frankie B. designer Daniella Clarke was inspired by her "love affair with music" for her latest collection, not too surprising considering she married a musician— Gilby Clarke a former Guns-n-Roser. So what does a "love affair with music" look like? Smudgey morning after a night on a tour bu ... More >>

When Worlds Collide

Film and science mix it up at the Egyptian

Letters

The Zombie Within

Christof Koch and the Science of Consciousness

Extended Warranty

Does length matter?

The Unbearable Likeness of Being

Twins, clones and multiple lives

Creation Science

The gospel according to Steven Pinker

Pharm Phresh

Frankenfoods II

Demon Seed

Can the Exorcist save us from genetically modified foods, or is it another freak in disguise?

Clones and Codes

Life in these United States

Hitting the Streets

The top six demands of anti-globalization protesters

7 Singular Successesof Science

Seeds of Wrath

Silencing debate on biotech foods

Letters

Frankenfoods

Should genetically modified produce frighten you?

Can Biology End World Hunger?

Frankenfoods

Fireflys and Fruit Flys