US scientists have found a link between a variant in the gene MDM2, called MDM2 SNP309, and the occurrence of melanoma in younger women. The study, published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research, found that MDM2 SNP309 was significantly more common in women who were diagnosed with...
One of the United States' oldest sperm banks, Xytex International, has reduced prices on many samples from its large inventory as a result of the current economic situation. The company, founded in 1975 in Augusta, has cut prices in the face of the financial downturn and as...
A study published in Nature Genetics last week has identified gene variants that affect a person's heart rate, and risk of sudden cardiac death. The team led by Christopher Newton-Cheh at Massachusetts General Hospital (US), found 14 variants in ten gene regions that are associated with differences...
By Antony Blackburn-Starza: Two recent studies, published in the journal Human Reproduction last week, have revealed that implanting a single embryo during IVF procedures may result in improved pregnancy rates and could also be cheaper than when implanting two embryos. Although implanting two or more embryos can improve chances of...
Customers who undergo genetic testing to discover their risk of developing certain diseases may be offered lower premiums regardless of whether they disclose the results, a leading UK insurance company has said. The company believes that individuals who discover they are at increased risk of a disease...
The UK government has announced an extra £1.5 million to help improve access to fertility services in Northern Ireland. It is estimated that 600 people join waiting lists for fertility treatment in Northern Ireland every year. It is hoped the extra funding will help reduce waiting times...
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A toast to BioNews and Zoe, the world's first frozen embryo baby
by Sarah Norcross
The very fact that the 500th edition of BioNews went out last Monday demonstrates the dedication of the BioNews team. On Friday 20 March I received a letter from the landlord of our office stating that we would have to leave at 4pm on Monday as they would be starting...