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Articles by Victoria Burchell
Can donor egg recipients 'pass on DNA' to their children?
Can donor egg recipients 'pass on DNA' to their children? 2 November 2015 Appeared in BioNews 826 The idea that environmental conditions in the womb may have long-lasting effects on development and future health is well-established. We have known for some time, for example, that low birthweight is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in adulthood.
US twin birth rate lowest for a decade - better IVF may be reason
US twin birth rate lowest for a decade - better IVF may be reason 7 October 2019 Appeared in BioNews 1018 The incidence of twin births in the USA has declined to the lowest rate in a decade, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. The rate of twin births has decreased by four percent in the last four years, after decades of steady growth since the 1980s.
IVF linked to pregnancy complication risk in women
IVF linked to pregnancy complication risk in women 11 February 2019 Appeared in BioNews 986 Women who have fertility treatments have a slightly higher risk of severe complications during pregnancy and delivery than those not undergoing treatment. Viewed as an understudied topic in the field, a new study has highlighted the importance of identifying women at risk so negative outcomes can be avoided.
Arizona passes bill on what to do with frozen embryos after divorce
Arizona's Governor has signed into law a bill that dictates how a couple's frozen embryos can be used if they separate. The bill states that frozen embryos created by a former couple must be given to the partner who wants to use them to establish a pregnancy, even if this goes against the other person's wishes. The unwilling party would have no legal responsibility towards the resulting child. The new law overrides any previously established contract between the couple.
First trials of Huntington's drug show it could slow disease
A breakthrough trial has successfully reduced levels of the harmful protein that causes the neurodegenerative disease Huntington's. In a study by scientists at University College London, 46 patients with the neurodegenerative disease were given injections of a drug called IONIS-HTTRx into their spinal fluid. By the end of the trial – the first time the drug has been tested in humans – patients had lowered levels of the harmful protein that causes brain cell damage.
Two couples sue fertility clinic for providing eggs with genetic abnormalities
The New York fertility clinic Reproductive Medicine Associates is facing two lawsuits from couples whose children, conceived using donor eggs from the centre, have Fragile X syndrome. This genetic condition can lead to intellectual and developmental difficulties. The parents of the two affected children claim that the clinic and their doctor, Dr Alan Cooperman, failed to test the women who donated the eggs to see if they were carriers for Fragile X.
FILM: Life after Death - A Woman's Victory in Having Her Deceased Husband's Children
This film documents the Progress Educational Trust/University of Sheffield event 'Life after Death: A Woman's Victory in Having Her Deceased Husband's Children', which was supported by the Wellcome Trust. The event marked 20 years since widow Diane Blood won the legal right to conceive a child using the sperm of her deceased husband Stephen Blood, and reunited some of the people at the centre of this landmark legal case - including Diane herself, and her son Liam.
Stem cells restore neurons in monkey model of Parkinson's disease
Neurons derived from human stem cells have successfully been used to treat and relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) in a primate animal model. The dopamine-producing neurons, which are preferentially lost in the disease, were generated from induced pluripotent stem cells from the skin and blood of healthy volunteers and PD patients.
Actor Sofia Vergara frozen embryo lawsuit dismissed
A Louisiana court has ruled that it has no jurisdiction over the frozen embryo dispute between actress Sofia Vergara and her ex-fiance Nick Loeb, in a move that may end the two-year legal saga between the couple. Federal Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon ruled that the court has no jurisdiction over the embryos since they had been conceived in California and that neither Vegara or Loeb had any permanent ties to the state of Louisiana.
Promise of blood test to predict course of Huntington's disease
Scientists have identified the first promising biomarker for Huntington's disease (HD) that could be harnessed in a simple blood test to predict disease onset and progression. The blood test would measure levels of neurofilament, a protein released by damaged brain cells. The researchers found neurofilament levels increase as HD progresses, but can also be detected in the blood years before symptoms manifest.
Sperm in space produce healthy mouse pups on Earth
Mouse sperm stored aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months has been used to produce healthy pups back on Earth. Japanese researchers sent freeze-dried sperm to space to understand the long-term effects of microgravity and radiation exposure on mammalian reproduction and development. The sperm were stored at -95ºC, with researchers also using 'ground control' sperm from the same mice, stored in the same conditions on Earth for the same duration.
Gene may accelerate memory loss in Alzheimer's disease
A gene mutation may speed up memory and general cognitive decline in people who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers say that this knowledge could improve the effectiveness of current treatments.
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