The distracting genome
Last week the front pages and airwaves filled with well-written, balanced articles about a significant development in UK embryo research. There was, however, something missing: a story...
Julian Hitchcock
Of Counsel, Biolawgy
Julian Hitchcock is Of Counsel at the boutique life sciences law and policy consultancy, Biolawgy. He has specialised in the law and regulation of cells, tissues and genes for more than 20 years, with a particular focus on emerging science, technology and governance. He was a member of the Working Group that produced the Code of Practice for the Generation and Use of Human Stem-Cell-Based Embryo Models, published jointly by PET and Cambridge Reproduction.
BioNews Articles by Julian Hitchcock
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.
Brüstle in the Dock: ISCC v Comptroller General of Patents, Opinion of AG Cruz Villalón
As BioNews 763 reported recently, Advocate General Cruz Villalón has advised the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) that human parthenotes are not human embryos. The fact that he had to do so raises serious concerns about the ability of Europe's leading court to interpret bioethical legislation and challenges the authority of one of its most notorious cases....
The Regenerative Medicine Expert Group: Watchmen watching watchmen?
Since the Coalition came to power, we've grown used to its backing of science and technology. So, when the Government published its response to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Inquiry into Regenerative Medicine last week, there was barely a murmur from the sector as recommendation after recommendation was endorsed and translated into action....
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.
German Brüstle decision puts spotlight on national patent guidelines
In November the case of Brüstle v Greenpeace was remitted to the German Federal High Court. How would a national court interpret the controversial ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union which held that patent rights could not be granted in the EU for the use of any entity 'capable of commencing the process of development of a human being'?...