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A drop of DNA could soon reveal what you look like

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A drop of DNA could soon reveal what you look like
TECH

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A drop of DNA could soon reveal what you look like

2017-09-10 18:29 Last Updated At:18:29

DNA, the magical molecule that carries all of the information for your physical characteristics, could soon reveal the look of your face.

A paper released on Monday by genomics-based company Human Longevity claims that it can predict individuals' faces by using their genomes.

Researchers sequenced the whole genomes of 1,061 volunteers of varying ages and races, and feed their genomic and biometric information into a machine learning program.

By analyzing given data, the program was able to construct a picture of a volunteer's face which indicates his or her gender, skin and eye color, facial structure, age, height, weight, and even voice.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported the machine learning program could match anonymized genomes to their hosts with more than 80 percent accuracy in racially mixed groups. However, in groups of those with only European or African-American ancestry, the accuracy dived to 50 percent.

Results will be more accurate if more genomes are examined, said J. Craig Venter, executive chairman of Human Longevity and senior author of the paper. He also claimed that the study demonstrated higher accuracy in predicting simple characteristics such as skin and eye color, but tend to make more mistakes when it comes to complex traits like voice.

The genomics pioneer said, "I've always said to people that your genome is more than all the other numbers in your life that identify you: Your credit card number, your date of birth, your address, your Social Security number," The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Although the technology looks promising, some people are questioning its authenticity.

MIT Technology Review reported skeptics claim that the California-based company simply portrayed average looks of their volunteers based on their gender and races, which can be tested easily from DNA.

"The face prediction is just predicting the average face for your race. You will always say, 'Wow, that kind of looks like me,'" Jason Piper, genetics expert of Human Longevity told MIT Technology Review.

Yaniv Erlich, chief scientific officer of a genealogy website named MyHeritage.com said on Twitter that Venter's technology cannot predict face.

To prove his point, Erlich posted a picture of Venter's prediction of his own face from last year, saying that it looks more like actor Bradley Cooper than its host.

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Wander Franco released under supervision after gun arrest in Dominican Republic

2024-11-14 02:28 Last Updated At:02:40

SAN JUAN DE LA MAGUANA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Wander Franco, the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop who awaits trial in a sexual abuse case, was granted supervised release Wednesday after being arrested and charged for illegally carrying a gun in his vehicle during an altercation in a parking lot in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican judge Viamerca Ruiz said Franco needs to report to court once a month while he is being investigated for carrying the firearm that was registered under his uncle’s name.

Franco, 23, was arrested Sunday after an argument broke out in a San Juan de la Maguana apartment complex parking lot. Another man and a woman also were detained in the confrontation. Two firearms were seized, police said.

“The gun has a license. … so there’s nothing illegal about it,” said Antonio Garcia Lorenzo, one of Franco’s lawyers. “We are asking for his release, pure and simple as that. They have already investigated the weapon, and it is not his, it has its owner.”

The attorney also said Franco was in San Juan de la Maguana “just to visit.”

A conviction for illegally possessing a firearm could call for a three- to five-year prison sentence.

Franco is scheduled to go to trial Dec. 12 in the northern province of Puerto Plata in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. He was also charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor and human trafficking.

Franco was conditionally released Jan. 5, four days after his arrest on the abuse allegations.

Franco, who has refused to speak to the media, has said about the sexual abuse case: “Everything is in God’s hands.”

Franco was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.

Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list on July 10, cutting off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FILE - Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco watches from the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Aug. 13, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

FILE - Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco watches from the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Aug. 13, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco appears before a judge on charges of carrying an illegal weapon, in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Millord)

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco appears before a judge on charges of carrying an illegal weapon, in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Millord)

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