Some Bio News Stories

In the news recently...

. Last week researchers announced a safer test that will enable doctors to tell if a fetus has genetic disorders. The new test won’t risk fetal damage, and it’s also more accurate, which means a reduction in abortions by mothers who terminate the lives of healthy babies in the mistaken belief that they will develop incurable and untreatable genetic defects.

. New York City is the first U.S. city to launch a pilot program in which an organ-recovery team will trail ambulances. The team will be ready to jump in if the patient (a) dies and (b) is a viable donor. Officials have warned that the program, made possible by a $1.5 million grant, might yield zero kidneys.

. Russia has approved the sale of the first-ever treatment for type 1 diabetes using pig-grown insulin-producing cells. Australia is next.

. Though two years ago the president pledged $19 billion in stimulus incentives to help doctors and hospitals “go paperless,” the conversion is going slowly.

. Major league baseball banned amphetamines in 2006, but 105 players have been granted exemptions for Adderral, which is prescribed for ADD and ADHD.

. International trade in surrogacy and sperm donation is a growing industry—and it’s outside the reach of restrictive laws.