Scientists have identified an altered version of a gene that leads to infertility in female sheep when present in two copies. But in a single copy, the same genetic mutation appears to increase fertility, causing the birth of non-identical twins or triplets. The researchers, based at the University of Otego...
Some unexplained miscarriages could be caused by a surge in oxygen levels around the third month of pregnancy. Researchers at University College London and Cambridge University have discovered that during this time, the level of oxygen in the placenta increases threefold. Combined with other factors, this sudden change may be...
Fertility expert Robert Winston has described the provision of fertility treatment on the UK's health service as a 'shambles'. Speaking on BBC Radio 4 last week, Lord Winston said that more in vitro fertilisation (IVF) was done under in the NHS under the last government than under this one. 'That's...
A UK research team has caused controversy after importing human embryo cells from the US to use in a cancer research project. Under UK law, it is illegal to carry out research on embryos unless it relates to infertility, contraception or serious inherited conditions. Deriving cultured stem cells - cells that...
The recent announcement of the draft version of the complete human genetic code has sparked politicians in Italy and Germany to publish plans on national genome programmes, reports last week's Nature. The German federal research ministry plans a significant increase in funding for genome research, while the Italian Senate has...
Pharmaceutical companies Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham (SKB) will complete their £118bn merger on 21 August, subject to shareholder approval. The result - Glaxo-SmithKline - will be the world's largest drugs firm, with a 7.5 per cent share of the market. The new chairman will be Sir Richard Sykes, currently at Glaxo...
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The 'postcode lottery' in IVF
by Dr Françoise Shenfield
There has been much talk lately of the poor availability of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. But how much IVF do we need? According to a report published in the UK in 1994, a population of 100,000 people needs 40 cycles of IVF. Assuming this proportion to be correct, it...