NCER speaks out on CRISPR/Cas9 (Video)
Hear what Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research has to say on the latest in gene editing and its use via CRISPR/Cas9.…
Is There a Last-Minute Hitch With 3-Parent Embryo Trials?
December 11, 2016 BioEdge Michael Cook
Just as scientists in the UK are about to begin clinical trials with three-parent embryos, a study in Nature asserts that it may not work for some patients.
The technique is intended to help women who are carriers of mitochondrial disease to give birth to healthy children. The nuclear DNA is removed from an egg cell, leaving the diseased mitochondria behind; then the DNA is inserted into another woman’s …
CRISPR Used for First Time to Correct Clotting in Newborn and Adult Mice
Nov 30, 2016 Science Daily University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
CRISPR/Cas9, a powerful genome editing tool, is showing promise for efficient correction of disease-causing mutations. For the first time, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a dual gene therapy approach to deliver key components of a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene targeting system to mice to treat hemophilia B. This disorder is also called factor IX deficiency and …
Row Over Allowing Research on 28-Day Embryos
The Guardian Dec 4, 2016 Robin McKie, Science Editor
Scientists will make a controversial call this week to extend the current 14-day limit for carrying out experiments on human embryos to 28 days. The move follows recent breakthroughs that have allowed researchers to double the time embryos can be kept alive in the laboratory.
By extending the current research period, major insights into congenital conditions, heart disease and some cancers could be gained, they will …
World’s First Baby Born with Controversial New ‘Three-Parent’ Technique
The Independant Ian Johnston Science Correspondent Tuesday 27 September 2016
The world’s first child created using a controversial “three-parent” baby technique has been born in Mexico, it has been announced.
Limited details about the birth were revealed ahead of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s scientific congress in Salt Lake City next month, where it will be discussed more fully.
According to critics, the procedure is tantamount to genetic modification of humans or even “playing …
Written Testimony of David A. Prentice, Ph.D.: Update on Progress of Kansas’ Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Research
Charlotte Lozier Institute Aug 2016
On February 8, 2016, Dr. David Prentice, Ph.D. briefed legislators in multiple Kansas state Senate and House committees on the progress of the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center (MSCTC). The Kansas stem cell center is focused on patients, with an emphasis on therapy, dissemination of information, and comprehensive view to fulfilling its mission. The MSCTC only works with non-controversial stem cell sources—adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells; …
To the Brink and Back, A Story of Recovering from Cancer Using an Adult Stem Cell Transplant
Charlotte Lozier Institute Aug 10, 2016
Today the Charlotte Lozier Institute releases its fourth Stem Cell Research Facts video; this story features Cindy Schroeder’s recovery from multiple myeloma after an adult stem cell transplant.
Cindy Schroeder had always lived an active life. A wife, mother of three, and special education teacher, Cindy drove more than 150 miles each day from school to school before returning home. Her life changed, however, when she began experiencing a …
Regenerating Memory with Neural Stem Cells
Science Daily June 14, 2016 Texas A&M University
Although brains — even adult brains — are far more malleable than we used to think, they are eventually subject to age-related illnesses, like dementia, and loss of cognitive function. Someday, though, we may actually be able to replace brain cells and restore memory.
Someday, though, we may actually be able to replace brain cells and restore memory. Recent work by Ashok K. Shetty, Ph.D., a professor …
After Secret Harvard Meeting, Scientists Announce Plans for Synthetic Human Genomes
The Washington Post June 2, 2016 by Joel Achenbach
Three weeks ago, 130 scientists, entrepreneurs and policy leaders held an invitation-only, closed-door meeting at Harvard University to discuss an ambitious plan to create synthetic human genomes. Now, after a flurry of criticism over the secrecy of the effort, the participants have published their idea, declaring that they’re launching a project to radically reduce the cost of synthesizing genomes — a potentially revolutionary development in biotechnology …
Lab-Grown Bones Successfully Implanted in Pigs
New York Times June 22, 2016 by Nicholas Bakalar
Above an image of regenerated bone grown from stem cells
The pigs, all 14 of them, are doing fine. Considering they’d been retrofitted with bone grown in a laboratory, that came as a pleasant surprise.
“The pigs woke up, and a half-hour later they were eating,” said Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, a professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia University. “We thought they would be in pain. But no, …