Scientists have discovered a gene mutation that can predispose carriers to one of the most common forms of epilepsy, bringing hope that new treatments for the disorder will be able to be developed. Canadian researchers discovered that the mutated gene, GABRA1, was present in eight members of a French-Canadian family...
The UK Biobank project, hailed as the beginning of a 'new era in medicine', has secured initial funding of £45 million. The money comes from a collaboration between the UK's Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and Department of Health. Genetic details of 500,000 volunteers, all aged between 45 and...
Tension is mounting on both sides of the cloning debate in the US. Two polls assessing the public attitude towards cloning have produced differing results. One, undertaken by the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) found that 68 per cent of Americans are in favour of allowing human...
A team of international scientists have announced that it has sequenced the mouse genome. The results of the publicly-funded project will be of benefit to scientists studying the human genome as, to quote one of the scientists involved, Dr Tim Hubbard of the UK's Sanger Centre, the mouse is 'a...
The results of a study published in the May issue of the journal Human Reproduction show that both male and female fertility begins to decline earlier than was previously believed. A woman's fertility starts to decline in her late 20's (at around 27 years old), and not in her...
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Harvesting the fruits of genetic research
by Dr Jess Buxton
When the first draft of the human genetic code was unveiled nearly two years ago, it was hailed as the 'outstanding achievement of human history'. For eventually, it could lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. But amidst all the...