News on ethics in medicine and biotechnology: January 2005EU project to determine how diet and genetic factors combine to cause obesityIt is estimated that obesity and associated co-morbidities directly account for around five per cent of European health budgets, and although essentially a simple energy imbalance problem, obesity is a complex condition. 31 January 2005, CORDIS News (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) UNESCO Develops Universal Norms in Bioethics, Women Under-RepresentedToday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Bioethics Committee (IBC) is meeting in Paris to set international standards on bioethics. While these standards have the potential to enhance the health and well-being of all people, the committee membership is almost exclusively male. 30 January 2005, Medical News Today (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Surrogate Mother Died after Giving BirthA surrogate mother died shortly after giving birth, it emerged today. 29 January 2005, The Scotsman (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Six new GM field trial requests in FranceYesterday, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre released six new applications for field trials for public information—all of them in France. 28 January 2005, Checkbiotech.org (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Monitoring the environmental effects of GM cropsA consultation of experts convened at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), recommended that any responsible deployment of Genetically Modified (GM) crops needs to comprise the whole technology development process, from the pre-release risk assessment, to biosafety considerations and post release monitoring. 27 January 2005, FAO Newsroom (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) GM policy shift in Europe (...and other GM regulation stories from Europe)Newly installed European Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel has signaled a major shift in European Union policies toward genetically modified (GM) crops, telling a German newspaper last week that she believes the European Union should issue guidelines for acceptable distances between GM and non-GM crops. 26 January 2005, The Scientist Related news: (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) European patent on mutations in breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene amended after public hearingFollowing a public hearing involving all parties to opposition proceedings against the patent, the opposition division - a panel consisting of three technical members and one legal member - has concluded that the contested patent can be maintained in amended form. 25 January 2005, European Patent Office (EPO) press release (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Paper offers fertility treatmentThe Birmingham Post says the likelihood of four candidates conceiving would be tested, with one winner then going on to receive a full course of IVF. 25 January 2005, BBC News (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Couple abandon battle for baby of their choiceA COUPLE who sparked a row over “designer” babies when they tried to replace their dead daughter by in vitro fertilisation have abandoned their five-year campaign to choose the sex of their child. 23 January 2005, The Times (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Rules streamlined to speed embryo testsSTRICT rules controlling the embryo-screening technique at the centre of the controversy over “designer babies” were relaxed by the Government’s fertility watchdog yesterday. 20 January 2005, The Times (UK) Also see: (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) GM beet 'can benefit environment'Some genetically-modified crops can be managed in a way that is beneficial to wildlife, a UK research team believes. 19 January 2005, BBC News Online (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Target found for Parkinson's testA gene mutation which could be behind one in 25 cases of Parkinson's disease has been discovered by scientists. 18 January 2005, BBC News Online (UK) Also see: (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Groups criticise mother who gave birth at 67Ethics and fertility groups have criticised a woman for giving birth at the age of 67. 17 January 2005, Telegraph News (UK) Also see: (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Designer baby ban to be reviewedThe Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is considering a relaxation of regulations governing so-called designer babies so that parents could screen IVF embryos for genetic traits and use them as donor siblings. 17 January 2005, Times Online (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) There is case for mercy killing, says aide to ArchbishopA senior adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury has said that there is a 'very strong compassionate case' for mercy killing. 16 January 2005, Telegraph News (UK) Also see: (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Shake-up of IVF 'welfare' checksThe checks that couples wanting IVF have to undergo to ensure they are fit to be parents are being overhauled. 13 January 2005, BBC News Online (UK) Also see: (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Italians to vote on fertility lawItaly's Constitutional Court has approved a series of referendums on easing the country's sweeping restrictions on fertility treatment. 13 January 2005, BBC News Online (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) GM foods 'as safe as plant-derived,' finds EU groupIBrussels addresses the issue of consumer cynicism and fear of agricultural biotechnology in European citizens, setting up a thematic network on the safety risk assessment of genetically modified food crops, the Entransfood project, in order to stimulate the debate. 10 January 2005, AgBios (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) EU project publishes conclusions and recommendations on GM foodsWhile the US, Canada and Argentina have planted millions of hectares of genetically modified (GM) crops, the EU only has 58,000 hectares of insect protected GM maize in Spain. One reason for this difference is the lack of European societal acceptance of agricultural biotechnology. To address this issue, the European Commission funded a thematic network on the safety assessment of genetically modified food crops, the ENTRANSFOOD project, in order to stimulate the debate. 6 January 2005, CORDIS News (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) £2.5 Million for gene therapy research into cystic fibrosisHealth Minister, Lord Warner today announced thesigning of winning bids for £2.5 million to support further research into gene therapy for cystic fibrosis. 5 January 2005, Department of Health press release (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK)
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