December 28, 2007
Two of the most significant science events of 2007 occurred within the space of a fortnight. The first was when scientists announced that they had been able to clone dozens of embryos from an adult monkey – a technical feat … Read More
December 28, 2007
Genomics Gets Really Personal This year may be remembered as the turning point for personal genomics, when broad gene testing for individuals finally came within reach. Two genomic pioneers–James Watson, codiscover of the structure of DNA, and Craig Venter, leader … Read More
December 27, 2007
Recent stem cell research advances, heralded as great news by a number of people, have not included the terms “clones” or “embryos.” The primary goal for stem cell research, aside from Nobel prizes, patents and off-the-scale profits, has been therapeutic … Read More
December 26, 2007
We sit on the cusp of a new world in which the ability to genetically engineer our children, as well as reupholster our own organs, promises to become routine rather than exotic. Just as old definitions of life proved ethically … Read More
December 26, 2007
A ruling restricts the ability of California health plans to cancel coverage after patients run up medical bills. (Los Angeles Times)
December 26, 2007
Scientists are a step nearer the creation of tiny artificial blood vessels after growing miniscule tubes out of stem cells in the laboratory. (BBC)
December 26, 2007
The Bush administration has thwarted Gov. Ted Strickland’s plan to expand Ohio’s popular children’s health insurance program to cover middle-class youngsters. (The Columbus Dispatch)
December 26, 2007
DEAF parents should be allowed to screen their embryos so they can pick a deaf child over one that has all its senses intact, according to the chief executive of the Royal National Institute for Deaf and Hard of Hearing … Read More
December 26, 2007
A third team of researchers has found a way to convert an ordinary skin cell into valued embryonic-like stem cells, with the potential to grow batches of cells that can be directed to form any kind of tissue. (Washington Post)
December 25, 2007
We’ve heard stories like this before: In the UK, deaf parents want the right to ensure having deaf children through embryo selection. From the story: DEAF parents should be allowed to screen their embryos so they can pick a deaf … Read More
December 21, 2007
For the first time in 35 years, the U.S. fertility rate has climbed high enough to sustain a stable population, solidifying the nation’s unique status among industrialized countries. The overall fertility rate increased 2 percent between 2005 and 2006, nudging … Read More
December 21, 2007
In a groundbreaking experiment scientists from International Stem Cell (ISC) Corp. derived four unique embryonic stem cell lines that open the door for the creation of therapeutic cells that will not provoke an immune reaction in large segments of the … Read More
December 21, 2007
The Education, Science and Technology Ministry announced Thursday it will subsidize research into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which show promise for regenerative medicine while sidestepping the ethical issues involved in producing embryonic stem (ES) cells, and open a facility … Read More
December 21, 2007
Within the next few months, researchers at three medical centers expect to start the first test in patients of one of the most promising — and contentious — ideas about the cause and treatment of cancer. The idea is to … Read More
December 20, 2007
Once, when patients were hospitalized, their own doctors would follow and coordinate the care provided by whatever specialist was needed. But economics, the desire to reduce the length of hospital stays, and the unique challenges of providing hospitalized care led … Read More
December 20, 2007
As Major League Baseball struggles to rid itself of performance-enhancing drugs, people in a range of other fields are reaching for a variety of prescription pills to enhance what counts most in modern life. Despite the potential side effects, academics, … Read More
December 20, 2007
Troubling cases in which doctors were accused of botching operations while undergoing treatment for drugs or alcohol have led to criticism of rehab programs that allow thousands of U.S. physicians to keep their addictions hidden from their patients. (Wired)
December 20, 2007
Ending months of deadlock with the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday gave final bipartisan approval to legislation that would temporarily extend the state health insurance program that covers about 6.6 million poor children. The bill, approved … Read More
December 20, 2007
Human egg cells can be tweaked to give rise to valued stem cells that match the tissue types of many different groups of people, U.S. and Russian researchers reported on Wednesday. They said the stem cells they have created from … Read More
December 20, 2007
Gene therapy has been used to alleviate symptoms of a condition which is a leading cause of inherited learning difficulties and autism. (BBC)
December 20, 2007
Most cancer specialists do not respond to the emotional concerns of their patients with verbal expressions of empathy and support, a new study reveals. (HealthDay)
December 20, 2007
Luke Bryant was 10 when his father died of cancer. He wanted “to carry on as normalâ€, and so, three days later, he went back to school. He told only his two closest friends about his loss, but when the … Read More
December 20, 2007
‘Stem cells are remarkable cells. They open up some very important possibilities in biomedical research,’ said Professor Austin Smith of the University of Cambridge at a conference on stem cell research in Europe, organised by the EU-funded EuroStemCell project. (CORDIS)
December 19, 2007
The human cloners over at Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures are sure a disingenuous lot, for example, claiming in Amendment 2 to have outlawed human cloning when the measure actually legalized it. Now, a representative has a letter in the … Read More
December 19, 2007
Several years ago, the Montana Supreme Court basically ruled that whatever a patient wants to do with a willing medical provider should not be impeded by the government. Not surprisingly, as I mentioned here at SHS, it bred a lawsuit … Read More
