| Michigan Senate passes stem cell regulation bill |
| 4 May 2010 - by Nisha Satkunarajah |
| The Michigan State Senate (US) has passed legislation which would lead to tight monitoring and regulation of research using stem cells derived from human embryos. The legislation prohibits the sale or purchase of human eggs and would also require research facilities, including universities, to file annual reports listing how many human embryos they have stored and other data... [Read More] |
| IVF blunders doubled in one year |
| 4 May 2010 - by Seil Collins |
| The number of reported mistakes at IVF centres in England and Wales has doubled over one year, rising from 182 in 2007/08 to 334 in 2008/09. Incidents range from technical failures to serious mix-ups. Cases where embryos have been lost, implanted into the wrong patient, or fertilised with the wrong sperm have all been reported.... [Read More] |
| First use of whole genome scan to tailor medicine and lifestyle choices |
| 4 May 2010 - by Dr Sophie Pryor |
| Whole genome analysis has been used for the first time to gather clinically-useful information about the risk of developing diseases later in life. Stephen Quake, an apparently healthy, middle-aged professor of bioengineering at Stanford University in California, volunteered to have his entire genetic code screened. He was found to be at increased risk of developing diabetes, some cancers and of having a heart attack... [Read More] |
| US woman accuses employer of genetic discrimination after breast cancer test |
| 4 May 2010 - by MacKenna Roberts |
| A Connecticut woman who had a voluntary double mastectomy after genetic testing is alleging her employer wrongfully terminated her job after learning she carried a gene implicated in breast cancer... [Read More] |
| MS twin study suggests environment plays key role |
| 4 May 2010 - by Dr Gabrielle Samuel |
| Environmental factors, rather than genetics, may play a key role in multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research published in Nature... [Read More] |
| Genes may affect smoking addiction |
| 4 May 2010 - by Harriet Vickers |
| Scientists have identified a number of genetic mutations that appear to be associated with the number of cigarettes people smoke a day, the chance of taking up smoking, and the ability of being able to quit smoking... [Read More] |
| Key US stem cell lines returned to use |
| 4 May 2010 - by Dr Nadeem Shaikh |
| US-based scientists working on embryonic stem cell (ES cell) research are relieved that the most important cell lines in their field have been approved for research by new government guidelines. During the Bush administration, US government funding for research involving ES cells was restricted to just 20 cell lines, all of which were in existence before 9 August 2001... [Read More] |
| Heart bypass 'leftovers' yield stem cells |
| 4 May 2010 - by Ruth Pidsley |
| Stem cells have been successfully extracted from veins left over from heart bypass surgery. Scientists hope that such cells could be used in the treatment of future heart conditions by stimulating the growth of new arteries... [Read More] |
