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Genetics

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Almost half of 60-year-old men experience loss of the Y chromosome.

Men lose their Y chromosome as they age. Now we know why this matters

This loss, evident in almost half of older men, is associated with serious diseases throughout the body and a shorter lifespan.

  • Jenny Graves

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Kwan’s arrest marks the latest chapter in the story of technology that has jailed famous serial killers.

These alleged rapists were free for 25 years. Here’s what caught them

A forensic technology that has set wrongfully convicted murderers free and jailed famed serial killers just landed its first arrests in NSW.

  • Angus Dalton
A controversial DNA test allows IVF patients to choose their embryos based on the future children’s chance of developing certain diseases or traits.

Superbabies for the white and wealthy? The societal debate we need to have

If our stance on sex selection isn’t clear, how can we consider the even thornier issue of parents choosing embryos to optimise their chance of turning out right-handed, blonde, tall or smart children?

  • Angus Dalton
Genetically modified purple tomatoes are coming for supermarket shelves.

The genetically modified food experiment about to hit Australia

Purple tomatoes are due to hit shelves this year, packing possible health benefits. Here’s what you need to know.

  • Angus Dalton
Georgie Bellette flew from Hobart to Canberra earlier this week to speak to politicians about her experience.

Georgie saw a call-out for genetic testing. Months later, she was undergoing a double mastectomy

Wider access to publicly funded genetic testing for some diseases has been urged after a study of 10,000 young people found 200 with high-risk gene variants.

  • Broede Carmody
Tenielle Jordan, 36, was diagnosed with stage 2 colorectal cancer after “precautionary” investigations.

Tenielle thought her surgery was just a precaution. Then she woke up

Australians with rare and less common cancers face a greater risk of death and misdiagnosis, as well as higher out-of-pocket costs.

  • Kate Aubusson
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Tatyana Leonov with her daughter, Millie, who has Angelman syndrome.

My daughter has a disability. AI could help me ‘see’ her run, but I’m torn

Millie, who lives with Angelman syndrome, has just learnt to walk, but is it fair for me to use technology to render a virtual future that may not be hers?

  • Tatyana Leonov
Danielle and Leon Green at home in Western Australia with photos of their children Sonny and Airlie.

What change must come from these parents’ darkest hour

This is not simply about offering heartbroken parents closure, although it will. Greater genetic testing is also about preventing future tragedies.

  • The Herald's View
Danielle and Leon Green at home in Western Australia.

A coroner couldn’t tell Danielle how her son died. Then she lost her daughter

After losing her two babies, Danielle Green wants genetic testing introduced in the post-mortem investigations of young people.

  • Frances Howe
KJ Muldoon after a follow up dose of an experimental gene editing treatment at the hospital in April 2025

Baby KJ was born with a rare, deadly disease. A one-of-a-kind gene tweak healed him

As KJ thrives, doctors hope the world-first treatment can someday help millions of people left behind because their genetic conditions are so uncommon.

  • Laura Ungar