Genetic variations linked to body fat
Scientists have linked a so-called ‘lean gene’ to an increased likelihood of developing heart disease and type II diabetes....
News
Court of Appeal rejects claim for 'different skin colour' following IVF mix-up
The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland has dismissed two children's claim for damages brought against an unnamed Health and Social Services Trust for negligence in their parents' IVF treatment....
Recommendations on cross-border reproductive travel published
The shortage of egg and sperm donors, and the cost of IVF in the UK, need to be addressed to reduce the number of people travelling abroad for fertility treatment, according to a report published this week....
HIV drugs can lead to premature ageing of mitochondrial DNA
New research has revealed that a group of generic anti-HIV drugs may be linked to premature ageing. The study, which was carried out by UK scientists at the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Newcastle University, could explain why people treated with this class of drugs sometimes show signs of age-related conditions, such as heart disease and dementia....
Ovarian stimulation linked to egg abnormalities in older mothers
European researchers have linked ovarian stimulation in women aged over 35 to increased chromosomal abnormalities. Genetic screening shows that the production of oocytes is disrupted during fertility treatment involving ovarian stimulation...
Turning up the volume on silenced genes
Researchers at the Fox Chase Cancer Centre, Philadelphia, USA, have elucidated the mechanism behind one form of gene silencing, which may open up a new route to cancer treatment....
Stress response spans generations
Scientists have shown that the effects of stress can be passed from one generation to the next via chemical changes to the DNA which turn genes on or off without altering the code itself....
Reviews
Event Review: Selective Reproduction, Bioethics, and the Idea of Eugenics
A seminar entitled 'Selective Reproduction, Bioethics, and the Idea of Eugenics' held at the Wellcome Collection Conference Centre on 6 June attempted to untangle what is meant by the contemporary 'idea of eugenics' in relation to bioethics and, specifically, selective reproduction. Stephen Wilkinson, professor of Bioethics at Keele University and author of 'Choosing Tomorrow's Children: The ethics of selective reproduction', asked the question: 'Is the fact that an action or policy is a case...
Comment
IVF, donor conception and surrogacy: Is progressive global regulation possible?
by Louisa Ghevaert
Assisted reproduction in the form of IVF, donor conception and surrogacy is challenging global attitudes towards medical science and is presenting a unique global regulatory challenge....
Google Baby: A lesson in global capitalism
by Professor Anne Kerr
Zippi Brand Frank's documentary 'Google Baby' gives us a fascinating insight into the global business of making babies. The programme follows an Israeli business man as he recruits commissioning parents via the internet, US brokers and egg donors, Indian assisted conception clinics and gestational surrogates ....
BioNews editors resequenced
by Sarah Norcross
This week sees a change (or should that be a mutation?) of BioNews Genetics Editor, as Dr Rebecca Hill takes over from Chris Chatterton...