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Production of iPS cells: an improvement paves the way to production on an industrial scale
Scientists at the EPFL[1]stem cell bioengineering laboratory have succeeded in “transforming adult cells into stem cells using a compression method”.The team led by Professor Lathias Lutolf, has published its results in the Nature Materials journal. They used...
Heading towards the creation of genetically modified embryos?
The first genetically modified human embryos could be created in Great Britain within a matter of weeks. Scientists at the Crick Institute in London submitted a request in September 2015. (cf. La Grande Bretagne autorisera-t-elle la manipulation génétique d’embryons...
The turn of Kansas to cancel Family Planning subsidies
Kansas is the eighth State to withdraw Family Planning subsidies since the scandal revealed by the Center for Medical Progress, which highlighted the sale of aborted foetal organs (The Family Planning Association – right at the heart of aborted foetal organ sales)....
Quebec: MAP centres are in financial difficulty
In Quebec, ever since the “abolition of free in-vitro fertilisation treatments last November”, the future of some assisted procreation centres (APCs) is “under threat”, regardless of whether they are public or private. The Ministry for Health “has given...
First French baby to be born following oocyte vitrification
On 12 January, the regional oncology network, OncoPACA-Corse, announced the birth of the “first baby conceived following oocyte vitrification as part of anticancer treatment”.To date, “according to published data, only six children have been born in the world via this...
Human parthenotes, a controverted source of stem cells
International Stem Cell Corporation has just announced the launching of a clinical trial in Australia to assess the effectiveness of a treatment based on human parthenogenetic stem cells for Parkinson’s disease [1]. It is a disease that affects around seven million...
iPS cells to treat leukaemia?
A team of scientists led by Professor Horishi Kawamato from Kyoto University has just announced the launch of a pre-clinical study to develop leukaemia treatment using iPS cells. The team wants to perfect immune system cells derived from iPS cells which, in...
A written declaration in favour of euthanasia is firmly rejected by the European Parliament
Composed three months ago, a written declaration [1]by the European Parliament “on dignity at end of life”was rejected as most MEPs were not in favour. Led by Spanish MEP, Elena Valenciano, this written declaration stipulated that, “all European citizens, regardless...
Two homosexuals discover that the child born to them through surrogacy is not theirs
Two homosexual Israelis who had recourse to surrogacy in Nepal, have discovered that the child presented to them is not theirs. The mistake came to light following mandatory genetic testing in Israel to confirm the identity of children born abroad through surrogacy....
Part of the American Senate votes for an end to public family planning subsidies
On Wednesday, in the United States, the Republican Party which has the majority in the House of Representatives [1]voted to rescind Obamacare and cut federal financing for the American Family Planning Association. The measure aimed at cutting any public subsidy...
Surrogacy at the heart of the legal battle
Two surrogate mothers pregnant with triplets have had a great deal of media attention in recent weeks (cf. GPA : Une mère porteuse enceinte de triplés intimée d'avorter, Etats-Unis : Une autre mère porteuse contrainte d'avorter). They are “engaged in a legal battle...
Creating human organs in pigs or sheep – fact or fiction?
Animal-human chimeras could provide an alternative to organ donation. However, this new approach raises concerns and warrants caution. An animal-human chimera is obtained by injecting human cells into animal embryos a few days old. These embryos are...