October 15, 2012
Patients may be asked about organ donation on hospital admission
Other plans being considered by the NHS include incentivising donations by offering state subsidy of funeral costs. (The Guardian)
Monthly Archives: October 2012
October 15, 2012
President’s bioethics commission releases report on genomics and privacy
The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues today released its report concerning genomics and privacy. The report, Privacy and Progress in Whole Genome Sequencing, concludes that to realize the enormous promise that whole genome sequencing holds for advancing … Read More
October 15, 2012
European commission pulls back on new nano regulations
Last year the European Commission (EC) was eager to show its proactive approach to regulating nanomaterials when—after a protracted process–the Commission arrived at a definition for nanomaterials. While the EC achieved its goal of a definition, the definition itself came … Read More
October 15, 2012
MS sufferer killed herself after visit from ‘Dr Death’ euthanasia website
A woman suffering from multiple sclerosis took a fatal overdose after a suicide website sent an advocate to her care home to discuss euthanasia. (Telegraph)
October 12, 2012
Stem cells show early promise for rare brain disorder
Four young boys with a rare, fatal brain condition have made it through a dangerous ordeal. Scientists have safely transplanted human neural stem cells into their brains. Twelve months after the surgeries, the boys have more myelin — a fatty … Read More
October 12, 2012
Six UNESCO medals awarded to nanotechnology and nanoscience specialists
UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova will present the UNESCO Medal ‘For the Development of Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies’ to six laureates during a ceremony organized at UNESCO Headquarters on 11 October. (UNESCO.org)
October 12, 2012
Citing privacy concerns, U.S. panel urges end to secret DNA testing
They’re called discreet DNA samples, and the Elk Grove, California, genetic-testing company easyDNA says it can handle many kinds, from toothpicks to tampons. (Reuters)
October 12, 2012
Futurist Ray Kurzweil wants to move your brain into the cloud
Ray Kurzweil, author of The Age of Spiritual Machines and a pioneer of artificial intelligence software, has always been one of the most provocative thinkers on technology and its future. When he spoke at the Demo conference last week, it was … Read More
October 12, 2012
Mother Nature, Version 2.0
In “Regenesis,” a book exploring the science of synthetic biology, George Church and Ed Regis imagine a world where micro-organisms are capable of producing clean petroleum or detecting arsenic in drinking water, where people sport genetic modifications that render their … Read More
October 12, 2012
Yemen recognizes spread of human organ trafficking
A report presented by the Health Minister Ahmed al-Ansi to the cabinet on Tuesday cited that gangs operate in human trafficking, particularly from Yemen to Egypt. (Yemen Post)
October 12, 2012
Stem cell opponents appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court
Two scientists who have fought a 3-year, losing court battle to block federal funding for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research have now taken their case to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Science)
October 12, 2012
Scientist who helped clone Dolly the sheep dies
Keith Campbell, a prominent biologist who worked on cloning Dolly the sheep, has died at 58, the University of Nottingham said Thursday. (Huffington Post)
October 11, 2012
New study exaggerates benefits of no-cost contraception
A new study which recently appeared in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology has the mainstream media swooning. A program which provided free contraception to over 9,000 women in the St. Louis area purportedly resulted in dramatic reductions in abortions, repeat … Read More
October 11, 2012
Claim that links econcomic success and genetic diversity draws criticism
Genoeconomists’ use of population-genetic data to predict economic success is sparking a war of words, including charges of racism. (Scientific American)
October 11, 2012
HIV ruling was a blow to public health
On Oct. 5, the Supreme Court handed down a decision with major implications for HIV prevention and public health in Canada. In a 9-0 ruling, the court found that people infected with HIV must disclose their HIV status to their … Read More
October 11, 2012
Should we ration end-of-life care?
Today’s post is to let you know about a debate on “Should we ration end of life care?† Tonight, October 10th from 7:30 to 9:15 EDT, Chicago Ideas Week is sponsoring a free debate on the subject available by webinar. … Read More
October 11, 2012
Japan stem cell Nobel laureate to get research boost
Japan’s Nobel prize-winning Shinya Yamanaka will likely get up to 30 billion yen ($383 million) for his stem cell research over the next decade, an official said Wednesday. (AFP)
October 11, 2012
Brain stem cell implants help children with rare disease
Four boys with a rare and often fatal brain disease were implanted with stem cells that began fixing damage that impeded their ability to walk, talk and eat, a trial found. (Businessweek)
October 10, 2012
Scientists discover gene behind rare disorders
Using a new technique that has revolutionized genetic studies, the teams determined that mutations in the RMND1 gene were responsible for severe neurodegenerative disorders, in two infants, ultimately leading to their early death. Although the teams’ investigations dealt with an … Read More
October 10, 2012
Synthesizing life means faster cures, biologist says
Research to translate viral sequencing to vaccines could be a step in preventing pandemics [report on J. Craig Venter’s presentation at the Atlantic Meets the Pacific forum]. (The Atlantic)
October 10, 2012
Should we decide which breed of humans to create?
Today it is possible to create designer babies – either by testing embryos, using pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, or fetuses, using prenatal testing [Article by Julian Savulescu]. (News)
October 10, 2012
Study: Assisted suicide legality does not increase patient death wish
A team of psychology and ethics researchers has published a study revealing that liberal legal attitudes to assisted suicide do not increase the desire for death in patients with incurable diseases. The study, carried out in Switzerland, does however show … Read More
October 10, 2012
When prolonging death seems worse than death
Many of us think of death as the worst possible outcome for a terminally ill patient, but Judith Schwarz disagrees. Schwarz, a patient supporter at the nonprofit Compassion & Choices, says prolonging death can be a far worse fate. For … Read More
October 10, 2012
TSA embarrasses woman en route to ‘End-of-life’ trip
A woman dying of leukemia says the Transportation Security Administration officers at the Seattle-Tacoma airport embarrassed her on her way to an “end of life†trip to Hawaii. (ABC News)
October 10, 2012
Facilitiating universal access to reproductive health
FIGO, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, is involved in both the areas: infertility and contraception. FIGO2012 Congress in Rome, Italy, staged two major occurrences: the presentation of the “FIGO Fertility Tool Box[TM]” and the third edition of the “Emergency … Read More
