Shorter IVF protocol reduces risk of OHSS
A large-scale study comparing two protocols for stimulating the ovaries in IVF has found that one has a lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a potentially serious complication of IVF treatment...
News
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.
USA scrambles to understand implications of Roe v Wade on fertility industry
The US Supreme Court has overturned the landmark Roe v Wade decision, which could affect the provision of IVF in some states...
Image by K Hardy via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a human embryo at the blastocyst stage (about six days after fertilisation) 'hatching' out of the zona pellucida.
Genetic and epigenetic causes of IVF embryo arrest discovered
Changes that occur to DNA that could cause IVF embryos to stop dividing have been identified...
Dutch donor-conceived people seek answers
A Dutch fertility doctor has been found to be the genetic father of at least three patients conceived in his clinic...
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.
Genetic variant increases Alzheimer's risk, especially in women
A gene has been identified which could play a role in increasing the risk of women developing Alzheimer's disease...
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.
Monkeypox virus evolution occurring faster than expected
The monkeypox virus is mutating at an unprecedented rate, arising from a single human case, according to results from a Portuguese study...
Little difference in mental health outcomes of teenagers conceived via fertility treatment
Teenagers born through fertility treatment have a one percent higher prevalence of mental health disorders, but no difference in school performance, new study shows...
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.
Joint replacement rejection linked to genetics
Genetics may help to predict the risk of joint replacement rejection, a recent study suggests...
Obituary: Professor Sir Colin Blakemore
Professor Sir Colin Blakemore, prominent neuroscientist and science communicator, has died at the age of 78 from motor neurone disease...
Reviews
Podcast Review: Biohacked Family Secrets – The birth of the sperm bank
The BioHacked: Family Secrets episode three, The Birth of the Sperm Bank, podcast starts in an unusual place: a cowshed...
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.
Book Review: Why DNA? – From DNA sequence to biological complexity
Prior to 2020, genetic mutations weren't something that regularly made the news. Now, two-and-a-half years out from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, new genetic variants continue to hit the headlines, and genomic mutations – in a virus, at least – are something the public are much more aware of...
Comment
Widening the debate about direct-to-consumer genetic testing and donor conception
by Dr Leah Gilman
Last month the HFEA said that it is considering, as part of a review of the HFE Act, whether to recommend removing the age restrictions (currently 18) at which donor-conceived people can access identifying information about their donor...
Join PET and Genomics England to celebrate the 200th birthday of Gregor Mendel
by Sarah Norcross
Later this month, PET – the charity that publishes BioNews – will be celebrating a very special occasion in partnership with Genomics England. 20 July 2022 will be the 200th birthday of genetics pioneer Gregor Mendel (1822-1884)...