March 11, 2013
IVF deal sees American eggs heading Down Under
A groundbreaking deal will allow Australians undergoing IVF to import eggs from young American women at a cost of $19,000. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Monthly Archives: March 2013
March 11, 2013
Time to ditch stand-alone cell overisight panels, experts say
To encourage responsible practices, the US National Academies issued a report in 2005 calling for the establishment of stand-alone institutional oversight committees, and within two years, at least 25 so-called ’embryonic stem cell research oversight committees’, or ESCROs, cropped up … Read More
March 11, 2013
Did Israeli doctors force contraception on Ethiopian immigrants?
Israeli Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman has called for an investigation into the reported administering of Depo-Provera contraceptive shots to Ethiopian immigrant women without consent. (Awramba Times)
March 11, 2013
Stem cells point to origin of deadly ovarian cancer
An aggressive form of ovarian cancer most likely originates in stem cells located in a layer of tissue that links the ovary to the rest of the body. (Futurity)
March 11, 2013
Signalling molecule may help stem cells focus on making bone despite age, disease
A signaling molecule that helps stem cells survive in the naturally low-oxygen environment inside the bone marrow may hold clues to helping the cells survive when the going gets worse with age and disease, researchers report. (Science Daily)
March 11, 2013
Are cyborg humans (and animals) still true life forms? A future tense panel recap
Cyborgs have arrived on Earth, but there’s no reason to worry. They’re nothing like the cold machine-men from The Terminator. Cybernetic technologies that integrate with the human body is something you could soon be able to try for yourself—in fact, … Read More
March 11, 2013
Arkansas just adopted a French-style abortion policy
One of the great ironies of American abortion-rights law is that it is one of the few areas of social regulation where America is to the left of Europe. (The Atlantic)
March 11, 2013
Will we all be like Superman soon?
Unless you’re the product of a feral childhood or a member of a hunter-gathering tribe from the third world, there’s a really good chance that you’re familiar with the comic-book legend of Superman. Even 74 years after he made his … Read More
March 8, 2013
Medical tourism offers travel firms untapped growth
A dentist’s office may not be everyone’s idea of a perfect holiday destination. (Reuters)
March 8, 2013
Genomic screening for improved health
In ten years time, routine preventive health care for adults may include genetic testing alongside the now familiar tests for cholesterol levels, mammography and colonoscopy. (Medical Xpress)
March 8, 2013
Stem cell therapies closer to clinic
group of researchers in the United States and South Korea has announced a leap towards safe, clinically useful patient-specific stem cells. If the researchers are right, clinical trials on the induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which can turn into virtually … Read More
March 8, 2013
I sold my kidney…to repay the loans
Selling a kidney or part of one’s liver to pay off loans is becoming increasingly common in Bangladesh, where desperate villagers are being exploited by human organ traffickers, a Michigan State University researcher has found. (Medical Xpress)
March 7, 2013
A New Issue of Journal of American Medical Association is Available
A new issue of JAMA (March 7, 2013) is now available online and in print. Â In this issue one article stands out:Â Global Health: Governance Challenges in Global Health by J Frenk and S Moon
March 7, 2013
Neither pro-life nor pro-choice can solve selective abortion crisis
The new documentary It’s a Girl highlights just how complicated sex selection is. (The Atlantic)
March 7, 2013
Belgian senate considers extending euthanasia to minors
The Belgian Senate is to re-open hearings on whether to change the country’s law on euthanasia and make it available to people under 18. (RTE)
March 7, 2013
Arkansas adopts a ban on abortions after 12 weeks
Arkansas adopted what is by far the country’s most restrictive ban on abortion on Wednesday — at 12 weeks of pregnancy, when a fetal heartbeat can typically be detected by abdominal ultrasound. (New York Times)
March 7, 2013
Genetic mother of twins wins historic Irish surrogacy case
Judge makes landmark ruling calling for 1937 Constitution of Ireland to be reviewed to reflect on modern fertility methods and scientific advances. (Irish Central)
March 7, 2013
De-extinction: Can cloning bring extinct species back to life?
At some point in the next decade, if advances in biotechnology continue on their current path, clones of extinct species such as the passenger pigeon, Tasmanian tiger and wooly mammoth could once again live among us. (Scientific American)
March 7, 2013
Traceable nanoparticles may be the next weapon in cancer treatment
Small particles loaded with medicine could be a future weapon for cancer treatment. A recently-published study shows how nanoparticles can be formed to efficiently carry cancer drugs to tumor cells. And because the particles can be seen in MRI images, … Read More
March 6, 2013
Assisted reproductive technology and birth defects: A systematic review and meta-analysis
It has been 10 years since we carried out a systematic search of the literature on birth defect risk in infants born following assisted reproductive technology (ART) compared with non-ART infants. Because of changes to ART practice since that review … Read More
March 6, 2013
Genetically corrected stem cells spark muscle regeneration
Researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Lillehei Heart Institute have combined genetic repair with cellular reprogramming to generate stem cells capable of muscle regeneration in a mouse model for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). (Science Daily)
March 6, 2013
Metro Detroit boy undergoes groundbreaking FDA stem cell trial for cerebral palsy
It’s a ground breaking new FDA trial. And a Metro Detroit boy is one of the first children in the world to participate in the procedure to treat his cerebral palsy with the use of cord blood stem cells. (CBS … Read More
March 6, 2013
Nanotechnology: Expanding clean energy and easing fuel shortages
Science and technology are at the heart of expanding the universe of clean energy options and increasing the efficiency of transmission and generation. One word says it all: Nanotechnology, which is a fancy process that could positively affect both industry … Read More
March 6, 2013
Surrogate offered $10,000 to abort baby
Most surrogacies have happy endings, and this one should have too — with a couple welcoming a new baby into their home and Kelley enjoying her fee, plus the satisfaction that she’d helped another family. Instead, it ended with legal … Read More
March 5, 2013
Myriad genetics win on gene patent ownership is appealed
Myriad Genetics Inc. (MYGN)’s Australian court victory recognizing its ownership of patents for genes linked to cancer risks will be appealed by a group representing cancer patients, a law firm said. (Bloomberg)
