Rob Stein (@robsteinnews) header
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Rob Stein

@robsteinnews

Rob Stein is a correspondent/senior editor at NPR, focusing on health, medicine and biomedical research.

 Washington, D.C.
npr.org
Joined June 2010
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Photo by Rob Stein (@robsteinnews)Photo by Rob Stein (@robsteinnews)Photo by Rob Stein (@robsteinnews)Photo by Rob Stein (@robsteinnews)
Promising new way for preventing heart attacks and strokes fails first big test npr.org/2026/11/07/nx-s1-602…
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Are you an organ donor? npr.org/2026/10/28/nx-s1-601…
Are you an organ donor? Here are some rule changes you may want to know

Are you an organ donor? Here are some rule changes you may want to know

Transplant teams can talk to families about organ donation before they've decided whether to continue life-sustaining medical care for loved ones. Until now, that has been forbidden.

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Start-ups want to prove it may be time to let scientists make babies from genetically modified embryos. npr.org/2026/09/29/nx-s1-595…
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American passenger is angry about hantavirus quarantine order npr.org/2026/05/21/nx-s1-582…
American passenger feels 'betrayed' by federal order to stay in hantavirus quarantine

American passenger feels 'betrayed' by federal order to stay in hantavirus quarantine

Two passengers from the cruise ship that had a hantavirus outbreak were blocked by the federal government from leaving the quarantine unit. One says she is being detained against her will.

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What came first ? The dodo or the egg? npr.org/2026/05/19/nx-s1-580…

To revive an extinct bird, you first need an artificial egg

Colossal Biosciences, a Texas company trying to bring extinct species back to life, reports creating artificial eggs that would be necessary to revive extinct birds such as the dodo.

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What came first: The dodo or the egg? npr.org/2026/05/19/nx-s1-580…

To revive an extinct bird, you first need an artificial egg

Colossal Biosciences, a Texas company trying to bring extinct species back to life, reports creating artificial eggs that would be necessary to revive extinct birds such as the dodo.

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These labs say they can screen embryos for specific traits. Should you? npr.org/2026/05/06/nx-s1-570…
These companies help parents try to pick their babies' traits. Experts are wary

These companies help parents try to pick their babies' traits. Experts are wary

Prospective parents can now pick embryos based on risk predictions for thousands of diseases and odds for specific traits. But should they?

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A gene therapy for a rare form deafness receives FDA approval npr.org/2026/04/23/nx-s1-579…
The FDA gives the green light to the first gene therapy for deafness

The FDA gives the green light to the first gene therapy for deafness

The treatment, developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, is for a very rare form of deafness. But it represents a medical milestone.

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RSV shots for babies under FDA review despite evidence of safety npr.org/2026/03/25/nx-s1-572…
Doctors worry about FDA scrutiny of RSV shots to protect babies

Doctors worry about FDA scrutiny of RSV shots to protect babies

The antibody shots are about 80% effective at preventing babies from ending up in intensive care because of RSV. The drugmakers behind them maintain they're safe.

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Colossal aims to bring woolly mammoths back from extinction npr.org/2026/03/04/nx-s1-570…
Colossal Biosciences breeds controversy while trying to revive mammoths

Colossal Biosciences breeds controversy while trying to revive mammoths

A Texas biotech company is trying to bring mammoths and other extinct creatures back to life. The science is as intriguing as the ethical questions are thorny.

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CDC issues fewer health alerts during second Trump term npr.org/2026/02/06/nx-s1-568…
A drop in CDC health alerts leaves doctors 'flying blind'

A drop in CDC health alerts leaves doctors 'flying blind'

Doctors and public health officials are concerned about the drop in health alerts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since President Trump returned for a second term.

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CDC changes flu vaccine recommendation for children npr.org/sections/shots-healt…
Flu shot recommendation for kids dropped just as the illness rages

Flu shot recommendation for kids dropped just as the illness rages

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dropped its advice that kids get an annual flu shot at a time when flu cases and hospitalizations are surging.

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CDC slashes vaccines recommended for all kids npr.org/sections/shots-healt…
Health officials slash the number of vaccines recommended for all kids

Health officials slash the number of vaccines recommended for all kids

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the number of vaccines recommended for all children. The action follows a presidential memorandum ordering a review of the U.S. schedule.

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Flu season could be nasty this winter npr.org/2025/11/19/nx-s1-560…
Flu season could be nasty this winter

Flu season could be nasty this winter

With a new flu virus variant circulating, scientists fear more sickness this winter. The vaccine may be slightly less effective, but doctors still urge getting one ASAP.

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CRISPR gene-editing works to reduce high cholesterol in a new study npr.org/2025/11/08/nx-s1-558…
CRISPR gene-editing works to reduce high cholesterol in a new study

CRISPR gene-editing works to reduce high cholesterol in a new study

An experimental gene-editing treatment shows promise for permanently lowering levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, possibly helping cut the risk for heart disease.

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Under RFK Jr., the CDC is scrutinizing the childhood vaccine schedule npr.org/sections/shots-healt…
Under RFK Jr., the CDC is scrutinizing the childhood vaccine schedule

Under RFK Jr., the CDC is scrutinizing the childhood vaccine schedule

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched an unprecedented review of routine shots given to kids, alarming public health experts.

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