Helping patients with genetic disorders to access life insurance products fairly

The Genetic Interest Group (GIG), the UK alliance organisation for all people affected by genetic disorders, has been working in collaboration on a pilot project to help those affected by rare conditions to access life insurance products in a fair and equitable manner. GIG has been working with the insurance...[Read More]

Ten years after Dolly: Hype, hope and reality

Cloning Discovery Has Unleashed a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing'; 'Cloned Sheep in Nazi Storm' and 'Dolly Opens Door for Life After Death' were among the headlines to appear in the acres of newsprint inspired by Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. The cover of the...[Read More]

Correction: Sperm screening needs to be overhauled

In BioNews 535, we published a commentary by Wendy Kramer in which she stated that 'using a donor with reciprocal translocations is potentially even more likely to produce sick children than donors with autosomal dominant disorders. The chances for a chromosomally abnormal child are thirty out of thirty-two (Scriven, 1998)'. However, this interpretation is incorrect and potentially misleading, the author of the paper has since informed us....[Read More]

Clarification: Gene test aims to predict reproductive lifespan

In BioNews 533, we reported on a new study suggesting an association between early ovarian decline and variations in the number of 'CGG' repeats present in a gene called FMR1. Whilst this finding is novel, we would like to clarify that the FMR1 gene has been known for many years, since the presence of excess CGG repeats causes the common genetic condition Fragile X syndrome in boys who inherit the mutation....[Read More]

500 Fivers Appeal: Less than 40 to go!

On 23 March 2009 BioNews published its 500th Edition. To mark this occasion we launched the 500 Fivers Appeal - a bid to raise a fiver for every issue of BioNews published to date. Many thanks to those of you who responded to last week's plea from Sarah Norcross, Director of...[Read More]

Correction: Tackling issues in cross-border reproductive care

In BioNews 508, we published a commentary by Professor Eric Blyth in which he stated that the first International Forum on Cross-Border Reproductive Care, hosted by the Canadian government, took place in January 2008. This should have read 'January 2009', the author has since advised us. A corrected version of...[Read More]

Correction: Fertility watchdog investigates serious IVF mix-ups at London hospital

Last week BioNews reported that, speaking to The Sunday Times, an HFEA spokesperson said that mistakes due to human error only occur in 0.5 per cent of cases. BioNews has since been informed by the HFEA that this figure was misquoted in the newspaper, and that the true figure for...[Read More]

Clarification: HFEA rebuked by medical risk expert

Last week BioNews reported on a letter published in The Sunday Times newspaper in which Brian Toft, professor of patient safety at Coventry University, declared the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) - the UK Government's fertility watchdog - 'unfit for purpose'. BioNews would like to clarify that Professor Toft is not...[Read More]

500 Fivers Appeal: Help keep BioNews free!

On 23 March 2009 BioNews published its 500th Edition. To mark this occasion we've launched the 500 Fivers Appeal - a bid to raise a fiver for every issue of BioNews published to date. Now with 444 fivers in the bank, we're getting very close to our target. We're really grateful...[Read More]

500 Fivers Appeal: Help keep BioNews free from subscription charges

On 23 March 2009 BioNews published its 500th Edition. To mark this occasion we've launched the 500 Fivers Appeal - a bid to raise a fiver for every issue of BioNews published to date. Now with £2190 in the bank, we're getting very close to our target. We're really grateful to...[Read More]

A call for help: Images needed for new BioNews website!

Work on our new website is continuing apace, and we now urgently need informative, colourful and accurate images to illustrate each section. We're seeking copyright-free pictures of any aspect of human genetics, assisted conception, embryo and stem cell research - for example embryos, gametes, chromosomes, FISH images, microarrays, people working in...[Read More]

Vacancy: Public Affairs Assistant, London

The Genetic Interest Group (GIG) is the UK alliance organisation for all people affected by genetic conditions. GIG works to improve access to services and information for families across the UK. GIG works on numerous issues, and focuses its efforts on key policy debates and campaigns as well as practical...[Read More]