US scientists have produced the world's first genetically altered primate, a rhesus monkey born on 2 October at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. Named ANDi, which stands for 'inserted DNA' backwards, the monkey carries an extra gene that makes a fluorescent green protein. The achievement was reported in...
The US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has issued new guidelines on the patenting of genes, reports last week's Nature. Although the guidelines accept that genes can be patented, they are intended to prevent the patenting of gene sequences with no immediately apparent use. From now on, applications for gene...
The world's first cloned gaur, an endangered species of ox, was born to a surrogate cow mother last week. Scientists at US biotech firm Advanced Cell Technologies created Noah by fusing the genetic information of a gaur with a donor cow egg stripped of its own DNA: the 'Dolly' technique...
UK researchers have carried out a study of 500 pairs of twins that suggests genetic factors are more important in triggering coronary heart disease than non-genetic factors such as diet and lifestyle. The study, carried out by scientists at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, and Leeds University, was published...
The former director of the UK's Sanger Centre and a leading biotech entrepreneur have expressed their concern over the delay of a new £100 million 'genome campus' in Cambridgeshire. Sir John Sulston and Sir Christopher Evans, both knighted in the New Year's Honours List for their scientific efforts, have criticised...
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Monkeys and slippery slopes
by Juliet Tizzard
A team of American scientists has presented us with the world's first genetically engineered monkey. Whilst there was some discussion in the media about the scientific implications of this development, many commentators preferred to dwell on the possibility that 'GM' monkeys will lead to 'GM' humans. The use of the...