Woman launches legal fight for comatose fiancé's sperm
The partner of a man left in a coma after suffering a series of heart attacks is to take her request to obtain and store his sperm to the High Court....
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.
Spotless mind: Epigenetic drug wipes clean fear memories
Researchers have identified a class of drug that helps clear traumatic memories in mice. The drug may help improve the effectiveness of behavioural therapy in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder...
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.
Illumina claims the $1,000 genome crown
The $1,000 genome may have arrived, an achievement which would mark a significant milestone in the application of genetic science...
Image by Alan Handyside via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a human egg soon after fertilisation, with the two parental pronuclei clearly visible.
Womb transplants successful for nine women
Nine women have received transplants of uteruses donated by their mothers or other living relatives in an ongoing trial of an experimental procedure at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden...
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.
'Genetically-guided' supplements company settles after Federal Trade Commission lawsuit
A biotechnology company that produces genetically customised nutritional supplements has settled charges of deceptive advertising with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over claims that its products could treat a number of ailments and diseases...
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 looking good for inherited blindness
Gene therapy for an eye condition called choroideremia is safe and has improved the vision of six patients, says a study in the Lancet...
Reviews
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.
Film Review: Delivery Man
This remake of sperm donation film 'Starbuck' touches (too briefly) on several heavy-hitting questions on the ethics of sperm donation...
Comment
Response to Professor Calum MacKellar
by Dr Sandy Raeburn
Having worked with families affected by genetic disorders for more than 40 years, both in the UK (with its multi-faith society) and in the Sultanate of Oman (where the majority are Muslim but other religions are allowed), I have seen and looked after many people with hereditary illnesses, including those with disabling mitochondrial conditions....
Older Mothers and IVF
by Professor Cathy Warwick
The pressure on the UK's midwives is at its highest for decades. In England, for example, there were more babies born in 2012 than in any year since 1971...
Ignorance and prejudice should not be allowed to dictate the outcome
by Sarah Norcross
PET needs your help to continue to inform the debate on the ethical issues surrounding genetics, assisted conception and stem cell and embryo research so that 'ignorance and prejudice do not dictate the outcome'...