International surrogacy arrangements need parental orders, says UK judge
A UK High Court judge has said applications for parental orders in international surrogacy cases should be encouraged and made promptly...
News
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 find for babies born with 'hole in the heart'
A gene linked to the congenital heart disease known as 'hole in the heart' has been discovered by UK researchers....
Sperm donor anonymity: Canadian Supreme Court will not hear woman's appeal
The Supreme Court of Canada has declined to hear a case brought by a woman conceived by IVF using donated sperm that would have ended donor anonymity in the province. The decision is likely to be the end of a lawsuit that was commenced five years ago....
Image by Sílvia Ferreira, Cristina Lopo and Eileen Gentleman via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a single human stem cell embedded within a porous hydrogel matrix (false colour).
First trial of synthetic blood from stem cells on horizon
The first human trials of synthetic blood look set to go ahead in the UK...
Image by Alan Handyside via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a human egg soon after fertilisation, with the two parental pronuclei clearly visible.
Update to article: Fertility expert condemns 'outrageous' IVF cell cycle patent
A patent over a method for assessing cell-cycle data that can be used in IVF treatments to predict an embryo's future viability will make IVF treatments in the USA prohibitively expensive, a leading embryologist has said...
Image by Sílvia Ferreira, Cristina Lopo and Eileen Gentleman via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a single human stem cell embedded within a porous hydrogel matrix (false colour).
Stroke patients improve after stem cell treatment
Five stroke patients in a stem cell therapy trial have shown improvements in their symptoms, according to interim results...
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.
Gene therapy against flu tested in animals
A gene therapy technique can protect mammals from lethal strains of influenza, according to US researchers...
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.
Italian government orders trial of controversial stem cell therapy
The Italian Senate has approved an 18-month, €3 million clinical trial of a controversial stem cell-based therapy. The vote, on 22 May 2013, will also allow a hospital to continue to treat twelve patients already undergoing the contested treatment...
Reviews
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.
Radio Review: The Life Scientific - Linda Partridge
Nothing is certain, the old saying goes, except death and taxes. Professor Dame Linda Partridge is working on the former...
Comment
IVF: the real moral debate
by Professor Alison Murdoch
The culture of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is now one based on self-aggrandisement and self-preservation. But cultural problems with fertility treatment in England and Wales do not stop there and other stakeholders must also be called to account...
The intimate significance of IVF embryos: an Australian analysis
by Professor Jenni Millbank
Current IVF laws and ethical guidelines on embryo storage in Australia are intrusive and disrespectful. Policies and practices in modern-day IVF do not do enough to acknowledge the emotional significance of embryos...