Courts aren't ready for what genetic sequencing technology will bring

+ a trip beneath Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica; study refutes 'Latino paradox' on heart disease US Edition - Today's top story: Genetic paparazzi are right around the corner, and courts aren't ready to confront the legal quagmire of DNA theft [View in browser]( US Edition | 8 June 2022 [The Conversation]( As I’ve written here before, some of the most interesting stories emerge when novel technologies trigger thorny new questions for society. Legal scholars Liza Vertinsky and Yaniv Heled delve into the realm of “genetic paparazzi” – the people who would surreptitiously take another person’s DNA, which may come from left-behind traces of hair, fingernails, dead skin or saliva. We got a glimpse of the potential changes brought by genetic sequencing technologies when police in 2018 found the Golden State Killer by matching samples from a crime scene with information from home DNA tests. But that’s only the beginning, according to Vertinsky and Heled, who write that the [courts will be forced to deal with a murky legal landscape in the years to come](. When I covered the technology industry years ago, I got accustomed to hearing a regular stream of buzzwords to describe emerging concepts. A new one to me this past week was [digital twins, which is a virtual representation of a real system](, write computer science experts Amlan Ganguly from Rochester Institute of Technology and Nalini Venkatasubramanian from the University of California, Irvine. They explain how digital twins differ from design simulations and how they relate to another tech industry term: the internet of things. During our daily story meetings, the editorial team often strategizes over how to cover an event in the news; other times, we talk about fun things, like barbecue. This article, [What makes smoky, charred barbecue taste so good? The chemistry of cooking over an open flame](, came out of that discussion. It’s a great explanation from University of Richmond chemistry professor Kristine Nolin on how cooking on the grill brings out its own flavors and textures. Also in this week’s science news: - [A polar scientist brings you to Antarctica’s riskiest glacier]( - [What researchers know about babies and memories]( - [The varied arguments for valuing biodiversity]( Martin La Monica Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters DNA is a trove of personal information that can be hard to keep track of and protect. Boris Zhitkov/Moment via Getty Images [Genetic paparazzi are right around the corner, and courts aren’t ready to confront the legal quagmire of DNA theft]( Liza Vertinsky, University of Maryland; Yaniv Heled, Georgia State University Both Macron and Madonna have expressed concerns about genetic privacy. As DNA collection and sequencing becomes increasingly commonplace, what may seem paranoid may instead be prescient. A digital twin attempts to capture every aspect of a real thing, including up-to-the-moment changes. lambada/E+ via Getty Images [What are digital twins? A pair of computer modeling experts explain]( Amlan Ganguly, Rochester Institute of Technology; Nalini Venkatasubramanian, University of California, Irvine A digital twin is to a computer model as live video is to a still photo. These virtual replicas can be used to understand and make predictions about a wide range of complex systems, including people. Cooking food over an open flame produces unique flavors thanks to some interesting chemistry. Lars Szatmari / EyeEm via Getty Images [What makes smoky, charred barbecue taste so good? The chemistry of cooking over an open flame]( Kristine Nolin, University of Richmond Barbecued food has unique and often delicious flavors. A food chemist explains how the process of grilling over an open flame can produce flavors unattainable through other cooking methods. - [Why does the Moon look close some nights and far away on other nights?]( Silas Laycock, UMass Lowell The Moon illusion is what makes the Moon look giant when you see it rising over a distant horizon. An astronomer explains what causes this awe-inspiring trick of the mind. - [Why can’t you remember being born, learning to walk or saying your first words? What scientists know about ‘infantile amnesia’]( Vanessa LoBue, Rutgers University - Newark Psychologists know babies can form memories soon after birth. So why can’t people remember anything that happened to them before around age 2? A child development expert describes possible reasons. - [Ice world: Antarctica’s riskiest glacier is under assault from below and losing its grip]( Ted Scambos, University of Colorado Boulder Thwaites Glacier’s ice shelf appears to be splintering, and scientists fear it could give way in the next few years. A polar scientist takes us on a tour under the ice to explain the forces at work. - [No, Latinos don’t actually have less heart disease – a new large study refutes the longstanding ‘Latino paradox’]( Olveen Carrasquillo, University of Miami It has long puzzled researchers why Latinos seem to have lower rates of heart disease than their non-Latino counterparts, even though they have higher risk factors for heart disease. - [What is ectopic pregnancy? A reproductive health expert explains]( Amy Alspaugh, University of Tennessee Treating a potentially deadly pregnancy complication gets caught up in the abortion debate. A nurse-midwife explains why it shouldn’t. - [Should we protect nature for its own sake? For its economic value? Because it makes us happy? Yes]( Bradley J. Cardinale, Penn State With the world losing species at an alarming rate, a conservation biologist explains how ideas about protecting biodiversity have evolved over the past 40 years. - Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](