Bioethics in the News
The Center for Bioethics and HumanDignity found these stories of interest in the news this week:
It's National Public Health Week(NPHW). Since 1995, the U.S. has observed NPHW as a time torecognize the contributions of public health and to highlight issues importantto improving our nation (NPHW).
Researchers diagnose genetic diseasewithout biopsy. Reproductive Biomedicine Online just published a study in which researchers from Italy and theUK sought to diagnose genetic disease in embryonic DNA without a biopsy. Byextracting fluid from human embryos at the blastocyst stage, they found thatthe fluid contains DNA from the embryo (News-Medical.net).
Belgium tracks trends in end-of-lifedecision-making. According to the Journal ofClinical Oncology, in 1998–2007 Belgium, euthanasia was legal andpalliative care, intensified. This led to an increase in end-of-life decisionsand fewer life-ending acts without patients' explicit requests (Medical Xpress).
Ready for IVF via powderedeggs? Women wanting to delay havingchildren may soon—I kid you not—have their eggs dried into a powder they cankeep at home till needed (Telegraph).
How about a stem-cell facelift? The stem-cell face-lift starts with liposuction to harvest fatfrom a place that has extra—such as the stomach or thighs—that docs can laterinject into a place that needs more, such as the hollows of the cheeks oraround the eyes. So where, exactly, do stem cells come into play? That'sthe $10,000 question, since that’s about how much people pay for the procedure(New York Times).
Gap widens over how to governabortion. States are becoming increasinglypolarized over abortion, as some legislatures pass ever-tighter restrictions onthe procedure while others consider stronger legal protections for it (The Wall Street Journal).
Gene therapy offers hope for treatingsensory disorders. Imagine being unable to see a lovedone's face. Or to listen to your favorite song. Or to smell chocolate. Now genetherapy holds out hope for treating blindness disorders, with many tests in late-stage trials. And consequently, researchers areexpanding their gaze to focus on all manner of sensory diseases (The Scientist).
About that Oklahoma dentist with unsanitarypractices... Health inspectors say they foundrusty instruments used on patients with infectious diseases and a pattern ofunsanitary practices that put thousands at risk for hepatitis and HIV (CBS News). Ew-w.
A new vaccine design may help with HIV. A team of scientists has unveiled a new technique for avaccine design that could be particularly useful against HIV and otherfast-changing viruses (Nanowerk).
iPod, iPad, iGenes? If you consider creepy the personalized ads on Facebook statusupdates, Gmail content and online browsing, just wait till the era ofgenetics-based advertising hits (Wired UK).
Sunday: This just in:
In vitro fertilization linked to increased risk of blood clots during pregnancy. A study published in the British Medical Journal calls for increased vigilance for pulmonary embolism and to consider the use of anti-blood-clotting drugs during pregnancy for women planning to undergo IVF.