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CONTENTS

Issue 558 (17 May 2010)

COMMENT
NEWS DIGEST
REVIEWS


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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.

Comment

Consent for embryo creation and storage: time for a change in the law?
17 May 2010 - by Dr Anna Smajdor
When Natallie Evans lost her case to prevent the destruction of her embryos in 2007, many people were moved by her plight. The letter of the law had been followed, but with tragic consequences for her...[Read More]

Consent agreements for cryopreserved embryos: the case for choice
17 May 2010 - by Peter D Sozou, Geraldine M Hartshorne and Sally Sheldon
Embryos created by IVF (in vitro fertilisation) can be cryopreserved (stored) for possible future use. All couples who have embryos stored in the UK are currently bound by law to a single form of agreement, allowing each genetic parent to withdraw consent at any time before the embryo is transferred. This article makes the case for allowing an alternative consent agreement...[Read More]

News Digest

Canadian fertility law 'a farce', says clinician
17 May 2010 - by Antony Blackburn-Starza
Canada's fertility licensing and regulatory body, Assisted Human Reproduction Canada (AHRC), has come under fire from lawyers and doctors who are finding the country's fertility laws vague and uncertain, the National Post newspaper reports...[Read More]

Genetic tests hit store shelves in the US
17 May 2010 - by Rosemary Paxman
Personal genetic testing kits are to be sold in US pharmacies for the first time, US biotech firm Pathway Genomics has announced...[Read More]

New genetic risks to breast cancer discovered
17 May 2010 - by Tamara Hirsch
Five new genetic variants have been discovered which, in combination, raise the risk of developing breast cancer by 16 per cent, according to a new study in Nature Genetics...[Read More]

Study finds new genetic link to schizophrenia
17 May 2010 - by Victoria Kay
US researchers have identified several genes related to brain function that may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences....[Read More]

New fees boost single-embryo transfer
17 May 2010 - by Dr Gabrielle Samuel
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) announced last week that it will change the way it charges clinics for IVF....[Read More]

IVF twins born to first-time mum aged 62
17 May 2010 - by Sarah Guy
A 62-year old Bulgarian woman has reportedly become the country's oldest first-time mother to give birth to twins after IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment. 'Age was not an obstacle for me, I so much wanted to have children', said Krasimira Dimitrova from the Northern city of Ruse, who sought treatment with IVF after Bulgarian authorities refused to allow her to adopt a baby, on account of her age....[Read More]

Ultrasound could be a male contraceptive
17 May 2010 - by Jay Stone
Research into using ultrasound as a male contraceptive was given a financial boost last week after researchers secured a $100,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation...[Read More]

Genetic clue to living the high life
17 May 2010 - by Dr Lux Fatimathas
Two genes that help adapt the human body to high-altitude living have been identified by a study published in Science this month. The study may help scientists understand heart and lung disease where patients have decreased oxygen levels...[Read More]

Stem cell progress towards treating deafness
17 May 2010 - by Kyrillos Georgiadis
US Scientists have produced mouse inner ear hair cells using stem cells, paving the way for a cure for deafness and other related balance disorders...[Read More]

New interim Chief Medical Officer for England
17 May 2010 - by Dr Vivienne Raper
The Department of Health has appointed an interim Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England. Professor Dame Sally Davies will take over from Sir Liam Donaldson on 31 May and will stay in post until a new CMO is appointed...[Read More]

Reviews

Book Review: Autism and Asperger Syndrome
11 May 2010 - by Dr Alex Dedman
Autism and Asperger Syndrome (The Facts) is a welcome update of its predecessor, the singularly named Autism which was first published by Simon Baron-Cohen in 1993. The expanded title of this new edition speaks volumes about just how far the field has moved forward since publication of the first book...[Read More]

 

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