Issue 381 (23 October 2006)

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Don't just encourage women to donate cord blood - give them the opportunity to do so

20 October 2006 - by Dr Karen Devine

Once again, umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cell collection and storage has been in the headlines of the popular press. UCB can be collected at birth and stored for the future use of the donor, its siblings or donated for public use. There are two main types of banking - public...[Read More]

UK expert group recommends one embryo at a time

21 October 2006 - by Dr Kirsty Horsey

An expert panel commissioned by the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has issued a report recommending that new guidelines should be introduced to limit the number of embryos which can be implanted during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles. The HFEA last reviewed its guidelines...[Read More]

All UK newborns screened for sickle cell disease

23 October 2006 - by Dr Jess Buxton

All newborn babies in the UK are now screened for sickle cell disease within two weeks of birth, the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Steering Group told stakeholders last week. The check, carried out as part of the routine 'heel prick' test, is expected to identify...[Read More]

Older women can cope with motherhood

23 October 2006 - by Antony Blackburn-Starza

Research presented at the annual American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in New Orleans has shown that older women in their 50s and 60s can cope with motherhood as well as women in their 30s and 40s. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Southern...[Read More]

Gene therapy trial for Parkinson's disease shows promise

23 October 2006 - by Dr Laura Bell

Results from the first human clinical trial of gene-based therapy for Parkinson's Disease (PD) show the treatment substantially alleviates the symptoms of the condition. The trial was carried out by the US based biotech company Neurologix Inc People with PD are affected by tremors, stiff muscles and...[Read More]

Parkinson's stem cell research produces mixed results

23 October 2006 - by Dr Jess Buxton

A new study carried out on rats shows that injections of human embryonic stem (ES) cells can relieve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) - but the treatment also produces potentially cancerous cells, say US researchers. A team based at Cornell University Medical College in New York...[Read More]

New brittle bone disease gene identified

23 October 2006 - by Dr Laura Bell

Research published last week in the journal Cell has identified a genetic mutation which can lead to osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a condition which makes bones much more brittle and likely to break. Previously, most cases of OI were attributed to a mutation in a particular collagen protein...[Read More]

Japan to consider surrogacy law reform

23 October 2006 - by Antony Blackburn-Starza

New legislation supporting assisted conception, including surrogacy, for infertile couples will be considered by the Japanese government. Although not a crime, surrogacy is currently prohibited by the Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Japan after concerns over safety, custody battles and distress caused during the process were...[Read More]