Bioethics: Making Headlines
Lots of interesting developments inthe field of bioethics this week. Take a look at these top stories, reported bythe Deerfield, Illinois, Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity:
Most detailed 3D map of human brain Adeceased 65-year-old woman has provided scientists with the material for thefirst super high-resolution, three-dimensional digital model of the humanbrain. (The Telegraph)
FDA approves morning after pill for women of childbearing age TheU.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Plan B emergencycontraceptive without a prescription for all women of childbearing age,officials say. (UPI)
In new tools to combat epidemics, the key is context Now a newproject called BioMosaic is building a more comprehensive picture offoreign-borne disease threats in the United States, by merging three separatedata tools into a single app for guiding decisions at the time of an outbreak.(New York Times)
HPV vaccine is credited in fall of teenagers’ infection rate Theprevalence of dangerous strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) the mostcommon sexually transmitted infection in the US and a principal cause ofcervical cancer, has dropped by half among teenage girls in recent years, astriking measure of success for a vaccine against the virus that was introducedonly in seven years ago. (New York Times)
Egypt girl’s death puts spotlight on genitial mutilation The deathof a 13-year-old girl during a genital mutilation procedure has brought theissue back into the spotlight in Egypt. While some Egyptians fight for eradicationof the practice, others justify it in on religious grounds. (BBC)
New study tracks emotional health of “surrogate kids” Over thepast decade the number of births involving surrogacy with donor eggs and spermhas surged. What, experts wondered, does this mean for the mental and emotionalhealth of the growing number of kids who may or may not know the truth abouttheir distinctive origins? (Today)
Japan experts mull rules on chimeric embryos Japaneseexperts were on Tuesday set to discuss rules for experiments with animal-humanembryos, as scientists seek permission for tests that could see human organsproduced inside the growing body of an animal. (Fox News) Another news story suggested that human organs could be grown in animalswithin a year. (The Telegraph)
Abortion restrictions in states Forty-onestates have enacted abortion restrictions at different stages of pregnancy. (New York Times)
High court rules ‘pay-for-delay’ drug deals can face antitrustsuits A brand-name drug maker can be sued for violating antitrustlaws if it agrees to pay a potential competitor to delay selling a genericversion, the Supreme Court ruled. (Los Angeles Times)
Be prepared for the big genome leak Mostpeople in the US could soon know someone whose genome is held in a researchdatabase. Concerns are growing about our ability to control access to thatinformation. But many scientists feel that restricting access to genomic datafetters research. How long will it be until an idealistic and technicallyliterate researcher deliberately releases genome and trait information publiclyin the name of open science? (Nature)
Directed in vitro (IVF) technique may increase insulinresistance among offspring A special type of IVF may increase the riskfor insulin resistance among high-tech babies. (E! Science News)
IVF: First baby born using ’safer’ method In aworld first, a healthy baby has been born using a “safer” method of theinfertility treatment IVF, using a natural hormone to kick-start his mother’sovaries. (BBC)