Stem cell researchers face a tense time after a preliminary European ruling that procedures involving “totipotent” stem cells should not be patentable. If upheld by the European Court of Justice, as is expected in the next few months, the ruling could jeopardise research across Europe. Greenpeace brought the case against a 1997 patent filed by Oliver Brüstle, a German professor using such cells to treat spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. Totipotent cells are formed in the first few days after sperm and egg unite. They are the ultimate master cells, with each having the potential to become a person. This totipotency diminishes as the cells become more specialised. The charity argued that, because of this potential, totipotent cells should be regarded as embryos deserving of legal protection. Such a ruling would conflict with British law, which permits experiments using cells from embryos under two weeks old.
One of the world’s biggest public health exercises begins on 1st May, when China bans smoking in indoor public venues. Half of all Chinese men light up, and the aim is to stub out growing cancer rates, projected to reach 3.5m deaths a year by 2030. China already accounts for one in five smoking-related deaths worldwide.
As the fallout—both particulate and political—settles from Fukushima, the Lords Science and Technology Committee will begin public hearings on whether Britain needs to sharpen up research into its own nuclear energy capability. A new generation of nuclear technology may be needed if the country is to meet its 2050 low-carbon target but it is unclear who will conduct the R&D and who will pay for it.
A major international symposium on population growth will take place in London on 25th and 26th May, bringing together economists, demographers, geographers and environmentalists to discuss the controversial idea of a “global carrying capacity.” The World Bank, the WHO and the UN have signed up to the Population Footprints gathering, organised by UCL and the Leverhulme Trust.
One of the world’s biggest public health exercises begins on 1st May, when China bans smoking in indoor public venues. Half of all Chinese men light up, and the aim is to stub out growing cancer rates, projected to reach 3.5m deaths a year by 2030. China already accounts for one in five smoking-related deaths worldwide.
As the fallout—both particulate and political—settles from Fukushima, the Lords Science and Technology Committee will begin public hearings on whether Britain needs to sharpen up research into its own nuclear energy capability. A new generation of nuclear technology may be needed if the country is to meet its 2050 low-carbon target but it is unclear who will conduct the R&D and who will pay for it.
A major international symposium on population growth will take place in London on 25th and 26th May, bringing together economists, demographers, geographers and environmentalists to discuss the controversial idea of a “global carrying capacity.” The World Bank, the WHO and the UN have signed up to the Population Footprints gathering, organised by UCL and the Leverhulme Trust.
