June 27, 2007
Researchers May Remake Neanderthal DNA
Researchers studying Neanderthal DNA say it should be possible to construct a complete genome of the ancient hominid despite the degradation of the DNA over time. (Wired)
Monthly Archives: June 2007
June 27, 2007
Pfizer wins early Nigeria battle
A Nigerian court has refused to allow more cases to be added to a lawsuit against a pharmaceutical giant accused of improper drugs trials on children. (BBC)
June 27, 2007
W.U. wins right to keep cancer research samples
Human tissue, blood and DNA samples in limbo since 2003 because of a legal battle can now be used for prostate cancer research, Washington University officials said Wednesday after winning a key ruling. (STLtoday)
June 27, 2007
Scientists call for global push to advance research in synthetic biology
With research backgrounds ranging from materials engineering to molecular biophysics, seventeen leading scientists issued a statement today announcing that, much as the discovery of DNA and creation of the transistor revolutionized science, there is a new scientific field on the … Read More
June 27, 2007
Docs may store info under your skin
Doctors could soon be storing essential medical information under the skin of their patients, the American Medical Association says. (Times of India)
June 27, 2007
Op-Ed: Governing genetic databases – collection, storage and use
Human genetics research is undergoing rapid and dramatic growth. Over recent years, human genetic databases, or ‘biobanks’, have burgeoned in number, size and sophistication. Many countries are developing population-scale collections, such as UK Biobank, to investigate complex common diseases. Meanwhile, … Read More
June 26, 2007
Brave New Britain: Here Comes Health Care Rationing
The UK’s National Health Care service is such a mess that some are now openly calling for explicit health care rationing. (Of course, ad hoc or sub rosa rationing already exists within the NHS.) One idea, according to this article … Read More
June 26, 2007
“Artificial Intelligence is Lost in the Woods”
Some of our discussions here at SHS about human exceptionalism have considered the prospect for Artificial Intelligence (AI), and engaged the advocacy by some that such intelligent computers or robots–meaning those that had attained true consciousness–be declared persons and accorded … Read More
June 26, 2007
Chimera embryos have right to life, say bishops
Human-animal hybrid embryos conceived in the laboratory – so-called “chimeras†– should be regarded as human and their mothers should be allowed to give birth to them, the Roman Catholic Church said yesterday. (Telegraph)
June 26, 2007
Artificial skin ‘cuts scarring’
A prototype artificial skin used to heal wounds has been developed by British researchers. Writing in the journal Regenerative Medicine, UK-based company Intercytex said it had produced promising results in early trials. (BBC)
June 26, 2007
Stanford Symposium Planned on Minimally Conscious Patients
A symposium to be held June 28 will explore ethical ways of studying brain activity in people who hover in the periphery of consciousness, with the aim of making new recommendations to guide future research in this population. (Forbes)
June 26, 2007
Consumer Reports says more testing, regulation needed for nanotechnology
Nanotechnology promises to be the most important innovation since electricity and the internal combustion engine. But some applications might pose substantial risks to human health and the environment, according to the July issue of Consumer Reports. (Chatham Journal Weekly)
June 26, 2007
Cord Blood: To Save Or Not?
These days pregnant mothers are asked a question barely heard of ten years ago: Do you want to save your baby’s umbilical cord blood? This blood has stem cells with special properties that can heal the body from diseases like … Read More
June 26, 2007
Brain Device Moves Objects by Thought
Forget the clicker: A new technology in Japan could let you control electronic devices without lifting a finger simply by reading brain activity. (Discovery Channel)
June 26, 2007
Create a back-up copy of your immune system
Imagine having a spare copy of your immune system on ice, ready to replace your existing one should you fall victim to AIDS, an autoimmune disease, or have to undergo extensive chemotherapy for cancer. (New Scientist)
June 26, 2007
A Father And His Cloned Sons Are At Center Of Strong Drama
Parents make mistakes. They mess up, and if they do it badly enough, their children bear the marks of their misjudgments. So imagine a scenario in which a parent is given a second chance to raise an initially beloved child, … Read More
June 26, 2007
Views sought on ethics of pre-birth testing
New Zealand hasn’t yet reached the age of designer babies but foetuses can be screened for a growing number of conditions and disorders. (Stuff.co.nz)
June 26, 2007
Op-Ed: Australia: Cloning could come to an end
As Queensland MPs consider legalising cloning, they must take into account a new and entirely ethical method for obtaining the same “tailor-made” stem cells that cloning hopes to obtain. The journals Nature and Stem Cell on June 7 published three … Read More
June 26, 2007
Op-Ed: Artificial Intelligence Is Lost in the Woods
Artificial intelligence has been obsessed with several questions from the start: Can we build a mind out of software? If not, why not? If so, what kind of mind are we talking about? A conscious mind? Or an unconscious intelligence … Read More
June 26, 2007
Op-Ed: A theological argument for chimeras
If we place human embryonic stem (hES) cells into the brain tissue of a chimpanzee, might the chimp look us in the eye and say, “Thanks for the genetic enhancement. Now, where do I register to vote”? (Nature)
June 25, 2007
Another Swiss “Suicide Tourist” Proves the Euthanasia Debate is not About Terminal Illness
A Canadian woman with MS traveled to Switzerland with her husband for assisted suicide. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition has demanded a legal investigation. I doubt that will happen, but I post this story because I want y’all to look at … Read More
June 25, 2007
Adult blood could yield stem cells to treat diabetes
Early-stage study in mice shows potential of adult blood in yielding insulin-producing stem cells; treatment could side-step ethical debate over embryonic cells. (CNNMoney)
June 25, 2007
President Bush Vetoes Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, Issues Executive Order Encouraging Methods That Do Not Destroy Embryos
President Bush on Wednesday as expected vetoed a bill (S 5) that would have allowed federal funding for research using stem cells derived from human embryos originally created for fertility treatments and willingly donated by patients, the Washington Post reports … Read More
June 25, 2007
Op-Ed: Making Manimals
If you’ve been laughing at those Neanderthal presidential candidates who still don’t believe in evolution, it’s time to sober up. Every serious scientist knows we evolved from animals. The question now is whether to put our DNA and theirs back … Read More
June 25, 2007
Panel brainstorms minority health care
Reversing a trend that dates back to slavery will not be easy. But Friday morning, a committee of the local Minority Health Roundtable took some initial steps to confront the racial disparity within health care. (Beacon Journal)
