Marta Zaraska is a freelance science journalist whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, Scientific American and The Boston Globe, among other publications. She has written two literary novels and contributed to two travel books published by National Geographic. Her nonfiction book “Meathooked: The History and Science of Our 2.5-Million-Year Obsession With Meat,” was published in 2016 by Basic Books and chosen by Nature as one of “the best science picks” in March 2016.
Marta Zaraska
From this contributor
Moving for autism care
Disparities in state services for autism are driving families to relocate. But not everyone can afford to move, and others find that their new home also has faults.
The problems with prenatal testing for autism
As prenatal testing improves, it presents a host of thorny issues — from what to test and how to interpret the results, to what to do about them.
The problems with prenatal testing for autism
By
Marta Zaraska
14 August 2019 | 12 min read
Europe’s race to ramp up genetic tests for autism
Many countries in Europe are reckoning with the growing demand for genetic tests for autistic people — and the accompanying ethical and scientific considerations.
Europe’s race to ramp up genetic tests for autism
By
Marta Zaraska
13 February 2019 | 14 min read
France faces down its outdated notions about autism
After lagging behind other countries for decades, France is working on a new national plan for autism.
France faces down its outdated notions about autism
By
Marta Zaraska
10 January 2018 | 18 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Leucovorin saga, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 15 June.
Leucovorin saga, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 15 June.
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Jill Adams
16 June 2026 | 2 min read
Models at the speed of thought: How AI coding is reshaping theoretical neuroscience
Agentic coding makes it possible to specify a neuroscience model in hours instead of months. Seven neuroscientists weigh in on what that tectonic change may bring to the field.
Models at the speed of thought: How AI coding is reshaping theoretical neuroscience
Agentic coding makes it possible to specify a neuroscience model in hours instead of months. Seven neuroscientists weigh in on what that tectonic change may bring to the field.
By
Brian DePasquale
16 June 2026 | 17 min read
Writing science that humans and machines can read
Large language models are now routinely used to search, summarize and synthesize the literature at scales impossible for any individual researcher—yet scientific publishing has not adapted to that reality.
Writing science that humans and machines can read
Large language models are now routinely used to search, summarize and synthesize the literature at scales impossible for any individual researcher—yet scientific publishing has not adapted to that reality.
By
Rachel Parkinson
15 June 2026 | 7 min read