Changes to gene 'on-off switches' caused by environmental and lifestyle influences could help explain why identical twins are often not identical, especially as they get older. An international team of scientists has looked at 'epigenetic' differences - changes that affect gene activity - in identical twins. The researchers found that young twins...
A baby girl who spent 13 years as an embryo frozen at -235C has been born in California. The birth of Laina Beasley set a new medical record in fertility treatment, as the longest time an embryo has been frozen and born healthy. Laina's birth beat all the odds, overcoming...
An independent committee has been set up to review Australia's human cloning and embryo research laws. Human cloning was banned in 2002 and strict controls were placed on the use of human embryos in research. Only surplus IVF embryos can be used for research. However, scientists say it is vital...
A study of identical twins in the US suggests why some people can eat all the fatty foods they want without increasing their blood cholesterol levels, while others have to watch their diets like a hawk. The researchers found that people's genes play a more important role than lifestyle in...
A new poll reveals that 63 per cent of Americans think the US should adopt a national policy for medical research using human embryonic stem (ES) cells, while 57 per cent support the use of federal funds for such work. The survey, carried out by Research!America, also found that...
UK scientists have used preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to help a couple conceive a baby unaffected by haemophilia, a serious inherited blood clotting disorder. A team at the Clinical Sciences Centre in Hammersmith, London and colleagues at Queen Charlotte's Hospital used a new test that directly detects the gene mutation...
Comment
Stem Cells: Contrasting views from the US and UK at BIO 2005
by Dr Simon Best
Human embryonic stem (ES) cell research remains front-page news in the US, following the recent vote in favour of liberalising federal funding of ES cell research in the House of Representatives and the forthcoming vote on the same topic in the Senate. Whereas the former bill passed by an insufficient...