Judge urges birth and genetic mothers to settle their custody battle
The UK's Court of Appeal has urged two women who were in a same sex relationship to reach an agreement over the custody of their five-year-old twins...
News
Embryonic stem cell production breakthrough achieved in mice
A technique to generate mouse embryonic stem cells could, if repeated in human cells, improve access to stem cells by using fertilised eggs that would previously have been discarded...
Intended parents using surrogacy granted rights to leave and pay
Parents of children born through surrogacy arrangements will be entitled to paid leave, after new legislation is passed by the UK's Parliament...
BRCA1 cancer study suggests alternative to major surgery
BRCA1 mutations put carriers at high risk of cancer by failing to protect cells against the effects of high levels of oestrogen hormone found in breast and ovary tissue, researchers have established...
Epigenetic blood test for children 'predicts' obesity five years later
A DNA blood test for children aged five can help predict body fat levels when they are aged nine to 14, a small study suggests...
Study suggests stress link to fertility problems, but methodology questioned
A US study suggests that preconception stress is associated with lower levels of fertility in women attempting to conceive naturally. However, the study has several limitations and experts warn that worrying about the role of stress in fertility may in fact lower chances of conceiving....
Synthetic biology moves beyond bacteria and viruses with 'man-made' yeast chromosome
The world's first fully-functional synthetic yeast chromosome has been created in an international seven-year effort...
Gene test could minimise low-IQ thyroid risk for thousands
Children with a common gene variant and lower thyroid hormone levels are four times more likely to have a low IQ, researchers have discovered...
Reviews
Event Review: The Compatibility Gene
Professor Daniel Davis began his lecture at the Royal Institution by introducing 'the compatibility genes', the DNA components that vary the most from person to person. Unlike many of us would expect, these genes are not responsible for features such as skin or hair colour. This engaging lecture tells their story....
Comment
Harnessing the 'Angelina effect': Improving care for people with a family history of breast cancer in the UK
by Dr Caroline Dalton
As we learn more, and as technologies develop, there are continuing challenges for the NHS to meet in providing the best possible care for people at risk of familial breast cancer...