Issue 159 (27 May 2002)

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On DNA, dental floss and the law

27 May 2002 - by Dr Jess Buxton

Last week saw the release of a new report on the protection of genetic information, from the UK's genetic watchdog, the Human Genetics Commission (HGC). It coincided with news of a millionaire film producer embroiled in a paternity dispute, following a secret DNA test carried out on dental floss stolen...[Read More]

Inside information on genetics

27 May 2002 - by BioNews

The Human Genetics Commission (HGC), the UK's genetics watchdog, has published a report - 'Inside Information: balancing interests in the use of personal genetic data' - containing recommendations as to in what circumstances a person's personal genetic information should be able to be used, and by who, and circumstances where that information...[Read More]

Low-fat fertility risk

27 May 2002 - by BioNews

A fertility specialist from the US has warned that women who live on low-fat diets could be at a higher risk of infertility. Professor Rose Frisch, who wrote the book 'Female fertility and the body fat connection' says that even women who are slightly underweight may have problems conceiving. Professor...[Read More]

More information on donors requested

27 May 2002 - by BioNews

In the wake of last week's recommendation from Baroness Mary Warnock that the law be changed to allow children who are conceived using donated sperm to trace their biological fathers, a High Court action has begun in the UK in which a woman and a child born from donor insemination...[Read More]

Clone experiments in US; vote imminent

27 May 2002 - by BioNews

Roger Pedersen, an American scientist now based at Cambridge University in the UK, was involved in a research project to clone human embryos, admitted his previous workplace, the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF), last week. Pedersen's work on therapeutic cloning was funded in part by Geron Corporation, so...[Read More]