US Supreme Court: Human DNA is a 'product of nature' and cannot be patented

The US Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a number of patent claims made by Myriad Genetics on isolated forms of two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.... [Read More]

Difficult decisions faced by women with a BRCA gene mutation

The news about Angelina Jolie opting for a double mastectomy to reduce her risk of breast cancer has undoubtedly raised concerns among women with a family history of the disease. Whilst this news has certainly raised awareness of hereditary cancer, there are two key points that it is important to emphasize... [Read More]

Companies hold patents on entire human genome

A new study has reported that the entire human genome may be under patents held by commercial companies.... [Read More]

Stem cell-like origins of ovarian cancer identified

The source of stem cell-like cells that can give rise to ovarian cancer in mice has been found, reports a study in the journal Nature... [Read More]

IVF does not increase risk of breast or womb cancer, says study

IVF treatment is not associated with an increase in breast, cervical or endometrial cancer, according to analysis of thousands of patient medical records. Ovarian cancer risk was also examined but too few people with ovarian cancer were included in the study for a conclusive result to be shown either way... [Read More]

Reduced DNA egg repair may explain age-related fertility fall-off

A slowdown in DNA repair mechanisms, one of which involves the BRCA genes implicated in cancer, may partly explain why women's eggs rapidly decline in both quantity and quality in middle age... [Read More]

Myriad Genetics wins gene patent bid in landmark Australian ruling

A patent over a gene linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancers is valid, an Australian federal court has ruled in a landmark case.... [Read More]

The Age-Old Question: The Impact of Age

Progress Educational Trust's 2012 annual conference 'Fertility Treatment: A Life-Changing Event?' concluded with a session entitled 'The Age-Old Question: The Impact of Age'... [Read More]

Australia: successful pregnancy after 'groundbreaking' ovarian tissue transplant

A former cancer patient has become the first woman in Australia to become pregnant following the pioneering procedure of ovarian tissue transplantation... [Read More]

Mother's age at menopause may influence female fertility

A woman's fertility may be strongly linked to the age her mother was at menopause, according to research... [Read More]

Personalised medicine: a reality check

The soaring promises made by personalised medicine advocates are probably loftier than in any other medical or scientific realm today. Francis Collins, former co-director of the Human Genome Project, wrote: 'We are on the leading edge of a true revolution in medicine, one that promises to transform the traditional "one size fits all" approach into a much more powerful strategy'... [Read More]

Viable mouse eggs made from stem cells

A team of Japanese researchers has created mouse eggs from stem cells and has fertilised them using IVF to produce baby mice. It is the first time scientists have reported producing properly functioning eggs using this type of stem cell.... [Read More]

US Supreme Court asked to reconsider gene patents

The American Civil Liberties Union has asked the US Supreme Court to reconsider its decision to uphold the patent held by Myriad Genetics on two human genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers... [Read More]

Mouse studies suggest fresh approach to fertility preservation

Two proteins that kick-start the destruction of damaged mouse eggs have been discovered by scientists. The findings may go on to have applications in fertility preservation for female cancer patients who receive aggressive treatment... [Read More]

Genetic similarities found between ovarian and breast cancers

Scientists have found molecular similarities between a subtype of breast cancer and a hard-to-treat form of ovarian cancer... [Read More]

World's first mother-to-daughter womb transplants

Two women in Sweden received uterus transplants from their mothers, with hopes it will allow them to conceive children of their own... [Read More]

Gene associated with treatment-resistant ovarian cancers identified

Scientists have discovered a gene called FGF1 which is highly active in aggressive and advanced ovarian cancers... [Read More]

Wealthy couples flock to USA to avoid UK sex selection ban, IVF medic claims

Dr Jeffrey Steinberg, a British IVF specialist who is now director of a pair of private clinics in the USA has claimed that dozens of couples see him every year to select the sex of their babies... [Read More]

Myriad Genetics: landmark ruling for gene patenting

In the latest instalment of a highly contested case, the US Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington DC upheld Myriad Genetics' right to patent two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2,which are associated with the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.... [Read More]

DNA damage during chemotherapy can trigger treatment resistance

Chemotherapy can produce a rogue response that eventually leads to tumours becoming resistant to treatment, scientists have found... [Read More]