The United Nations (UN) is expected to revisit the thorny issue of human cloning again this week, but it doesn't appear that a consensus position is any nearer to being reached. Diplomats say that no compromise position has been found and it may be that the UN doesn't vote on...
US researchers have developed a new, potentially reversible form of male contraception that targets a key protein involved in sperm production. The team, based at the University of North Carolina, have shown their approach to be effective in male monkeys. Details of the research are published in the journal Science...
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has launched a public consultation on sperm, egg and embryo donation. It is seeking views on issues such as limits on the number of children per donor, how donor's characteristics should be matched with patients, and how much compensation donors should be paid...
Researchers looking at the feelings and experiences of adolescents conceived using donor insemination with an identifiable sperm donor say fears that removing anonymity from donors might cause problems for offspring are unfounded. In a study published on 11 November in the journal Human Reproduction, the researchers show that adolescents conceived...
German researchers have used a novel gene therapy approach to reduce blood cholesterol levels in mice. The research, published in the journal Nature, uses RNA - a close chemical relative of DNA. The scientists, based at biotech firm Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Kulbach, describe their study as 'a historic step forward' in...
Michael Howard, the leader of the UK's opposition Conservative Party, has publicly stated his support for human embryonic stem (ES) cell research, saying that he believes it is an important tool in the battle to overcome crippling diseases. Mr Howard was speaking earlier this week to the Conservative Women's National...
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Comment
Donors are heroes, but they are real people too
by Laura Riley
At last week's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) press launch of a public consultation on issues in sperm, egg and embryo donation, HFEA Chair Suzi Leather said it was not the job of the regulator to try to increase the numbers of UK gamete donors, in the light of...