Issue 027 (27 September 1999)

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Banning treatment for older women needs justifying

27 September 1999 - by Juliet Tizzard

This week's BioNews features a story that has preoccupied British newspapers during the past week: that ovarian tissue that has been in frozen storage can be returned to its owner to restore her fertility. That's the dull version of events. The headline grabber is that the menopause has been reversed...[Read More]

More genes in human genome

27 September 1999 - by BioNews

According to a leading private sector participant in the US genome sequencing effort, there may be more than 140,000 genes in the human genome - almost twice conventional estimates. Randall Scott, president and chief scientific officer of the California-based Incyte Pharmaceuticals, made this suggestion during his presentation to the annual International...[Read More]

Testicle transplant offers fertility hope

27 September 1999 - by BioNews

Scientists are preparing to carry out the first ever testicle transplant on a boy facing cancer treatment. Peter Schlegel, a reproductive specialist at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Centre, said that he expects to receive ethical approval for the transplant before the end of the year. If approved, the procedure...[Read More]

Blair and Clinton act to prevent gene patents

27 September 1999 - by BioNews

Tony Blair and Bill Clinton are working to come up with an Anglo-American agreement to prevent the patenting of the human genetic code. Initiated by Mr Blair, the deal aims to ensure the rapid worldwide access of raw gene sequence data. The move has been welcomed by the Wellcome Trust...[Read More]

Ovary graft could reverse premature menopause

27 September 1999 - by BioNews

Scientists have transplanted ovarian tissue into a woman for the first time. In a procedure that had only been carried out in animals, ovarian tissue, which had previously been removed from a woman and frozen, was transplanted back into her body. The breakthrough was made by Professor Roger Gosden of...[Read More]

UK's bio-angst responsible for brain drain

27 September 1999 - by BioNews

The British scientist responsible for the world's first ovarian graft, opening the possibility of treating premature menopause, is leaving for a job in Canada because of a lack of investment in science in the UK and poor public esteem of scientists. Gosden, about to move to McGill University's Royal Victoria...[Read More]