July 24, 2007
Unbearable conditions `make death an option’
The terminally ill tend to prefer death to life only when there is a lack of social services, a quadriplegic group said. (The Standard)
Monthly Archives: July 2007
July 24, 2007
Stem Cell Movement Faces Setbacks in Mo.
Eight months ago, Missouri seemed well on its way to becoming a national leader in stem cell research. Voters amended the state’s constitution to protect stem cell research _ even the controversial form using cells from human embryos. Actor Michael … Read More
July 24, 2007
‘Holy grail’ drug reverses devastating symptoms of Alzheimer’s
A revolutionary drug that reverses the devastating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is being developed by British scientists. Described as the “holy grail” of Alzheimer’s research, the drug can improve memory in brains ravaged by the condition that affects millions around … Read More
July 24, 2007
Genetics key to new preventive medicine
WellGen Inc., a small biotech startup in North Brunswick, N.J., headed by Mullinix, is one of a handful of companies in the nation pioneering technologies in an emerging field called “nutrigenomics.” The idea is to first identify genes that encourage … Read More
July 24, 2007
The blade runner generation
Forget iPods and BlackBerries. Soon, we will transfer information by thought, run faster and further without tiring, and orgasm on demand. What started as a quest to help the disabled will revolutionise the lives of the able-bodied. Even Bill Gates … Read More
July 24, 2007
Analysis: Healthcare lessons from Cuba?
The United States could learn a thing or two from Cuba’s healthcare system, some experts say, particularly as U.S. policymakers delve into healthcare reform. (United Press International)
July 23, 2007
Canada Moving Toward “Mixed” Health Care System?
I once favored Canadian-style health care for the USA, but no more. Having visited that wonderful country frequently and paid much attention to its politics and culture, I reluctantly concluded that full nationalized funding–even with doctors remaining in the private … Read More
July 23, 2007
Coming Cure for Alzheimer’s?
Actually, perhaps an effective drug treatment that can prevent the plaque from destroying areas of the brain. From the story: Biologists have developed a compound which has successfully prevented the disease killing brain cells, improving memory and learning ability that … Read More
July 23, 2007
Health care options remain muddled
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking business leaders to do something many of them have been reluctant to do for years: support a major health care reform. The hesitancy of businesses to back health care programs is understandable. Much of the … Read More
July 23, 2007
Kidney chain result of new donation system
A new organ donation process has made possible a kidney chain that began in Arizona and could save as many as eight lives if successful. (ScienceDaily)
July 23, 2007
Saving Neurons and Memories
A compound that’s known to extend life span in worms and fish could also stop neuron damage and cognitive decline. (Technology Review)
July 23, 2007
Thousands of human eggs may be missing
Bankrupt egg-donor registry says fertility doctors may have transferred eggs without permission. (Orange County Register)
July 23, 2007
Democrats Press House to Expand Health Care Bill
After a rare bipartisan agreement in the Senate to expand insurance coverage for low-income children, House Democrats have drafted an even broader plan that also calls for major changes in Medicare and promises to intensify the battle with the White … Read More
July 23, 2007
Robot to carry out heart surgery
A robotic arm able to carry out an intricate life-saving heart operation is being pioneered by UK surgeons. The robot is used to guide thin wires through blood vessels in the heart to treat a fast or irregular heartbeat. (BBC)
July 23, 2007
Church of England says No to True Human Hybrids
The Mission and Public Affairs Council of the Church of England has opposed the creation of true human hybrids but given a cautious acceptance to the proposal to produce cytoplasmic hybrid embryos for research into the alleviation of serious diseases. … Read More
July 20, 2007
Murder/Suicides Not About “Choice”
Now with the Lake County (IL) Coroner supporting some murder/suicides of the elderly, it is worth looking at some of the professional literature on the subject. It isn’t merely another “choice,” but often is a result of spousal abuse and … Read More
July 20, 2007
Coroner Supports Murder/Suicide for Elderly Couples
Lake County, Illinois Coroner Richard Keller, is apparently a fan of elderly couples engaging in suicide pacts or murder/suicide. From the story: “Murder-suicide of an elderly couple, is that such a bad way to go?” he wrote [in his blog]… … Read More
July 20, 2007
Mommy the Automaton: New Interactive Simulators Teach Labor and Birth
A new generation of complex, electronic birth simulators are allowing medical students to practice labor and birth — especially when there are complications. (Wired)
July 20, 2007
Senate Panel Adds Billions for Health
Defying a veto threat from President Bush, the Senate Finance Committee approved a major expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program on Thursday, with a majority of Republicans joining all Democrats on the panel in supporting the legislation. (New York … Read More
July 20, 2007
Stem cell cure offers new hope
The curative powers of stem cell treatment in blood related disorders has been well-known for some time. But for the first time in Chennai, the procedure has been carried out between a donor and patient who were unrelated to each … Read More
July 20, 2007
Nanobionics – where the boundaries between electronics and biology become fuzzy
In case you are not old enough to remember the TV series The Six Million Dollar Man during the 1970s, the show was about an astronaut, Steve Austin, who got severely injured during a crash and became a guinea pig … Read More
July 20, 2007
Pig to Human Transplantation Getting Closer
Experiments using pigs genetically engineered for compatibility with the human immune system have raised hopes that cross-species transplantation could soon become an option for patients with diabetes and other currently incurable diseases. However, many scientific hurdles remain before the ultimate … Read More
July 20, 2007
Op-Ed: PGS: It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it…and that’s what gets results
Embryo selection following cleavage stage embryo biopsy and chromosome analysis to identify aneuploid embryos (those which have an abnormal number of chromosomes) in every couple having IVF/ICSI or all women of advanced maternal age is rightly considered by most clinics … Read More
July 19, 2007
An Embryonic Stem Cell Fade
They can’t blame Bush for this one: A Singapore company that made a big splash when it announced it would soon be offering ES cell therapies to human patients–has backed off. From the story in Science July 2007: Vol. 317. … Read More
July 19, 2007
Tell This to Michael Moore
A young UK woman named Laura Price, age 30, has died waiting for a vital brain scan from the NHS. From the story: Laura Price…was found dead in her home just hours after she had been discharged from casualty. The … Read More
