One Danish sperm bank is screening candidates with IQ tests
A sperm bank in Denmark requires its sperm donors to have an IQ of at least 85 and a police clearance certificate demonstrating no criminal record...
Dr Barbara Kramarz
Adjudicating Editor – ESHRE Journals
Dr Barbara Kramarz is a Volunteer Writer at BioNews, having originally joined the publication under the auspices of its writing scheme, while completing her PhD at University College London's (UCL's) Institute of Ophthalmology. Barbara then worked as scientific curator at UCL's Institute of Cardiovascular Science. She is currently an active member of Sidra Medicine's Patient and Family Advisory Council in Doha, Qatar, and also works as an Adjudicating Editor for the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Journals, published by Oxford University Press.
BioNews Articles by Dr Barbara Kramarz
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
Gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy under review in Europe
Elevidys, a gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, remains under review in the EU and the UK...
Image by Christoph Bock/Max Planck Institute for Informatics via Wikimedia Commons. Depicts a DNA molecule that is methylated on both strands on the centre cytosine.
Epigenetic 'mortality test' uses cheek cells
Researchers have developed a tool they say can be used to predict mortality risk using DNA methylation data, from cheek cells rather than from blood...
Image by Bill Sanderson via the Wellcome Collection, © Wellcome Trust Ltd 1990. Depicts Laocoön and his family (from Greek and Roman mythology) entwined in coils of DNA.
Polish court allows woman to use IVF embryo after divorce
A court ruling allowing a woman to transfer an embryo created with her former husband, despite his opposition, is thought to be the first of its kind in Poland...
Image by Christoph Bock/Max Planck Institute for Informatics via Wikimedia Commons. Depicts a DNA molecule that is methylated on both strands on the centre cytosine.
Book Review: Epigenetics and Responsibility – Ethical perspectives
If you are looking for a break down of how epigenetics undermines the concept of nature vs nurture, this is the book for you...
Image by Alan Handyside via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a human egg soon after fertilisation, with the two parental pronuclei clearly visible.
Macron proposes fertility tests for 25-year olds
France's president has proposed offering state-funded fertility tests to 25-year olds, as one way to reverse the decline in the country's birth rate...
Polish Parliament debates reinstatement of state IVF funding
Poland's new coalition Government has initiated the debate to reinstate public funding for IVF, in the first weeks of the new parliamentry session...
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
Polygenic scores perform poorly in predicting common diseases
Polygenic risk scores perform poorly if used to predict common diseases such as coronary artery disease or breast cancer, a University College London study has found...
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
Electricity used to control human gene expression
Swiss scientists have engineered human cells to respond to an electrical current, which could pave the way for the development of wearable medical devices...
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
Extensive DNA study identifies genetic links to height
An analysis of over 5.4 million individuals has identified over 12,000 different genetic variants that affect human height...