February 18, 2008
Reversing the effects of ageing, reprogramming genes to prevent diseases and producing clean energy are some of the biggest challenges for the next 50 years, according to a group of leading experts. The pace of advances in technology means the … Read More
February 18, 2008
Computer power will match the intelligence of human beings within the next 20 years because of the accelerating speed at which technology is advancing, according to a leading scientific “futurologist”. There will be 32 times more technical progress during the … Read More
February 17, 2008
William Neaves, head of the Stowers Institute, is perhaps the most disingenuous advocate for human cloning that I have ever encountered. To say that I disrespect the man is to say the sky is blue. Well, he’s at it again … Read More
February 15, 2008
USA TODAY found a number of lawsuits that alleged corporate malfeasance in cases of pharmacy errors at Walgreens and CVS. Many were settled, and nearly all the settlements included confidentiality agreements. (USA TODAY)
February 15, 2008
The company has already received its first order from a U.S. woman who is ready to pay $150,000 to clone her pet pit bull terrier, Booger, who saved her life when another dog attacked her and ripped off her arm. … Read More
February 15, 2008
Using systems that are already employed in the search for new drugs, researchers hope to develop quick, accurate methods of toxicity testing for chemicals that are carried out on cells, rather than on whole animals. (Technology Review)
February 15, 2008
Researchers came a step closer to finding a safe way to use stem cells in clinical treatment Thursday when a team of Japanese scientists announced they found a way to induce stem cells without triggering tumors. (AFP)
February 15, 2008
In nearly every country in the world, there is a shortage of kidneys for transplantation. In the United States, around 73,000 people are on waiting lists to receive a kidney. Yet 4,000 die every year before the lifesaving organ is … Read More
February 14, 2008
Nanoparticles and silicon chips could target cancerous tumors or individual organs Researchers at MIT have developed a new nanotechnology that could someday be implanted in the human body to target tumors or specific organs with time-released drug dosages. Layering charged … Read More
February 14, 2008
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill currently passing through the UK Parliament has already sparked much discussion, particularly aspects such as the creation of animal-human embryos for use in stem cell research, and the removal of the ‘need for a … Read More
February 14, 2008
Dueling reports released yesterday — one by a consortium largely funded by the biotech industry and the other by a pair of environmental and consumer groups — came to those diametrically different conclusions. (Washington Post)
February 14, 2008
In 2005, New Jersey became the first state to require cultural-competence education for physicians to get licenses. California requires continuing medical education for doctors to include cultural and linguistic competency training. The federal government is financing studies examining whether the … Read More
February 14, 2008
A Japanese company will soon start advising people what they should eat and how they should exercise based on custom-made analysis of their genes, in what the firm says is a world first service. (AFP)
February 14, 2008
Some scientists and politicians believe the 2002 law restricting the use of stem cells in German research is no longer in sync with modern medicine. Opponents to a change in the law fear abuse of human embryos. (Deutsche Welle)
February 13, 2008
This is worse than awful: A 54 day old baby was sexually abused and beaten to death by her father. Yet during her brief life 30 different health care workers cared for her, and somehow didn’t notice a thing. Plus, … Read More
February 13, 2008
Good news in the Golubchuk case. The court has enjoined the hospital from cutting off Mr G’s treatment. But there will be a trial. But that is how it should be: Let these doctors and bioethicists justify themselves in open … Read More
February 13, 2008
I have warned that “personhood theory” will lead to terrible oppression of so-called human non persons. It allows cloning for the purpose of treating created human organism as a corn crop. It permits us to dehydrate people to death based … Read More
February 13, 2008
A new implantable device can extract stem cells for therapeutic transplant or program cancer cells to die. (Technology Review)
February 13, 2008
The state’s largest for-profit health insurer is asking California physicians to look for conditions it can use to cancel their new patients’ medical coverage. (Los Angeles Times)
February 13, 2008
Are embryos morally equal to people? I say no. Robert George, a member of President Bush’s bioethics council, and his colleague Christopher Tollefsen say yes. In their new book, Embryo: A Defense of Human Life, George and Tollefsen conclude not … Read More
February 13, 2008
Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka, who has attracted the world’s attention with his research on induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, discussed the significance and implications of his work in a recent interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun. (The Daily Yomiuri)
February 13, 2008
Only about a third of U.S. medical schools have policies aimed at curbing conflicts of interest arising from their financial ties with companies like drug and medical device makers, researchers said on Tuesday. (Yahoo! News)
February 13, 2008
Geron CEO plans embryonic stem cell tests in humans this spring if the biotech meets the FDA’s ‘high bar.’ (CNNMoney)
February 12, 2008
Bioethics (OnlineEarly Articles) is now available by subscription only. Articles include: “THE MORAL DISTINCTION BETWEEN KILLING AND LETTING DIE IN MEDICAL CASES” by JOACHIM ASSCHER, 25-Jan-2008 “MASS-VACCINATION PROGRAMMES AND THE VALUE OF RESPECT FOR AUTONOMY” by LOTTE ASVELD, 25-Jan-2008 “‘FAIR … Read More
February 12, 2008
Sociology of Health & Illness (Vol. 30 Issue 1, January 2008, Page 1-166) is now available by subscription only. Articles include: “‘Ordinary people only’: knowledge, representativeness, and the publics of public participation in healthcare” by Graham P. Martin, 35–54 “Autism … Read More
