Issue 365 (03 July 2006)

Welcome to BioNews by email, the free weekly news digest of the top stories in assisted conception, genetics, embryo/stem cell research and related areas, published by the Progress Educational Trust. Sent to registered subscribers each week, BioNews by email is aimed at informing debate in these areas by providing balanced and timely summaries of the week's news and developments alongside comment, reviews and recommendations of selected topical conferences, events and more. It also contains job advertisements from the relevant sectors.

Visit the BioNews website at www.bionews.org.uk where you can subscribe for free to receive BioNews by email in one of three formats, plus view more news, comment, reviews and job advertisements and search the full archive.

Testing times for breast cancer screening

28 June 2006 - by Dr Cristina Parsons Perez

Last week, the UK charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer published a report, 'Testing Times: waiting for genetic test results', calling on the Government to end the long delays some women face to find out if they carry the faulty genes associated with hereditary breast cancer. The report recognises that progress in...[Read More]

Of mice misleading men?

17 July 2006 - by Professor Ian Craft

Research into establishing the mechanisms that control normal sperm production in mice and which may later allow a better understanding of why some men are infertile, has recently been reported in the UK press, with great accolades about the promise it may bring in the treatment of male infertility. However...[Read More]

New test for hereditary bowel cancer

30 June 2006 - by Dr Jess Buxton

UK scientists have developed a new genetic test to identify bowel cancer patients who have an inherited form of the disease. The team, based at Edinburgh University, says that the test could also be used to detect people at high risk of developing the disease, before...[Read More]

Adult stem cells can help stroke recovery in rats

02 July 2006 - by Heidi Nicholl

Research on rats has found that stimulating a specific receptor on the surface of brain stem cells may help recovery after stroke. Researchers from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Bethesda, Maryland, stimulated a protein called Notch in the brains of rats suffering stroke-like...[Read More]

Human stem cell lines derived from unfertilised eggs

02 July 2005 - by Heidi Nicholl

Scientists working in Italy have reported success in deriving human stem cell lines from eggs stimulated to divide without sperm. Embryos created from the process of parthenogenesis are known as parthenotes, and never normally develop beyond a few days. The team, from the University of Milan, developed...[Read More]

US Senate will debate stem cells soon

03 July 2006 - by Dr Kirsty Horsey

The US Senate may soon be due to vote on a bill to expand the availability of federal funding for human embryonic stem (ES) cell research. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist announced last week that he will schedule a vote sometime this month on the bill...[Read More]

Hwang to resume animal cloning research

03 July 2006 - by Dr Jess Buxton

South Korean stem cell scientist Woo Suk Hwang, currently facing charges of fraud and embezzlement, is set to resume animal cloning research as early as next month. Hwang, who could spend up to 10 years in prison if convicted, is going to set up a new...[Read More]

New donor identification laws in Victoria

03 July 2006 - by Dr Kirsty Horsey

Children born following the use of donor sperm or eggs in the Australian state of Victoria will now, from 1 July, be able to trace their biological parents when they reach the age of 18. Relatedly, donors of gametes will also be able to apply for...[Read More]