Bioethics & Health News
February 2

February 2, 2006

U.S. Scientists Create Bird Flu Vaccine That Thwarts Deadly Strain

Scientists have succeeded in creating a genetically engineered vaccine that protects mice from several different strains of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus. Experts hope the same vaccine or a similar one will one day work in humans, according to the study, which appears in the Feb. 2 issue of The Lancet.
(HealthDay)

Too Many Drugs Not Child Tested’

Too many children’s drugs have not been properly tested, a report says. The House of Lords said 90% of medicines for new born babies and 50% of those aimed at children are untested after collating evidence from doctors.
(BBC)

New Test May Spot Pregnancy Complications

By testing for four proteins in fetus-cushioning amniotic fluid, doctors can predict when pregnant women are at risk of delivering preterm and when their infants are at risk for severe infections, according to a presentation today at the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
(Reuters)

Overhaul Urged for Laws on AIDS Tests and Data

New York City’s health commissioner, Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, called yesterday for changing state laws so that health officials could more aggressively test people for H.I.V. and AIDS and use the medical information the city already collects to help treat those infected.
(New York Times)

Early Warning System Predicts Malaria Epidemics

An early warning system based on climate models, average rainfall and data on seasonal malaria can predict the risk of an epidemic of the killer disease five months in advance, scientists said on Wednesday.
(Reuters)

The French Are Getting Taller and Fatter

Memo to fashion designers: The French aren’t quite as thin as you might think.
(AP)