| Couple has children from different racial backgrounds following alleged IVF mix-up |
| 8 May 2012 - by George Frodsham |
| An alleged 'mix-up' at a UK fertility clinic has resulted in a gay couple having two children with different racial backgrounds, reports the Sunday Times... [Read More] |
| Gene linked to sperm-to-egg binding |
| 8 May 2012 - by James Brooks |
| A gene which helps sperm bind to an egg has been identified by scientists. Sperm-to-egg binding is an essential process during fertilisation and although the preliminary studies were performed on mice, the gene may represent a new target for infertility treatments... [Read More] |
| Genetic test could identify breast cancer risk |
| 8 May 2012 - by Dr Kimberley Bryon-Dodd |
| A link between modifications to a white blood cell gene and an increased risk of breast cancer could be the basis for a simple blood test to identify women most at risk of developing the disease... [Read More] |
| Oklahoma Supreme Court strikes down embryo 'personhood' initiative |
| 8 May 2012 - by Dr Victoria Burchell |
| The Oklahoma Supreme Court has declared void a ballot initiative that would have asked voters to expand the definition of a person in the state constitution to include human embryos and fetuses.... [Read More] |
| First study of chromosome test suggests increase in IVF success |
| 8 May 2012 - by Ana Pallesen |
| An IVF test which checks whether embryos carry the correct number of chromosomes could improve the chances of a successful pregnancy, a clinical trial suggests. The test – developed by the biotech company Blue Gnome – is used five days after an egg has been fertilised and helps doctors select which embryos should be implanted during IVF treatment... [Read More] |
| Switched off 'brake' gene increases pancreatic cancer risk |
| 8 May 2012 - by Cait McDonagh |
| A gene that usually prevents excessive cell growth may be switched off in aggressive pancreatic cancers, scientists have reported... [Read More] |
| HIV gene therapy is safe and long-lasting, but is it effective? |
| 8 May 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
| HIV patients treated over a decade ago with genetically modified immune cells have suffered no serious side effects from the treatment. Although the cells may not have been successful in targeting and killing HIV-infected cells, the results are promising as they bolster the safety credentials of gene therapy for clinical use... [Read More] |
| Embryonic stem cells self-destruct for the greater good |
| 8 May 2012 - by Dr Greg Ball |
| Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are primed to self destruct in response to DNA damage in the developing embryo, scientists have reported. The research found that hESCs are highly responsive to DNA damage in the early stages of development, and can commit suicide for the greater good... [Read More] |
| Fertility treatment only partly responsible for increase in birth defects |
| 8 May 2012 - by Dr Rebecca Hill |
| The increase in birth defects in babies born after assisted conception could be partly due to underlying fertility problems, according to an Australian study... [Read More] |
