Regulator gives green light to research using human-animal embryos

Human–animal embryos to boost UK research

Plans last year by the UK government to block the proposals by researchers to create human–animal hybrid embryos for stem-cell research were withdrawn this spring as the government proposed new mechanisms to consider the issue. Researchers want to create such hybrids because they can provide valuable stem cells to allow researchers to study the development of many incurable diseases, which the ...

Host–Pathogen Interactions: Proline Gives Insect Pathogens the Green Light

How does a quiescent symbiont of a nematode worm know when to turn nasty? Metabolic analysis and genetic knockouts confirm that model insect pathogens can sense L-proline in insect blood. This not only serves as a wake-up call, activating secondary metabolite virulence factors, but also provides an energy source for a metabolic shift appropriate for adaptation to the host environment.

A green light for new research.

water on culture medium, let it incubate, and see if any bacterial colonies develop. But that technique demands lots of waiting, and you might prefer a quicker technique-say, one that allows you to watch the bacteria grow in real time. Laura Leff of the department of biological sciences at Kent State University in Ohio does just that-watches bacteria grow right before her eyes-by labeling them ...

Light gives molecules the chills.

Research on human embryos--a justification.

The philosophical debate surrounding the moral status of the embryo has reached the public arena. The author of this paper examines some of the common arguments against embryo experimentation, including an influential article by Professor Ian Kennedy. He concludes that these arguments do not succeed in demonstrating that the intentional creation of embryos for research purposes is wrong, unless...