13 – 19 February 2017
US science advisers outline path to genetically modified babies
Modified human embryos should be allowed if researchers meet strict criteria, says long-awaited National Academies report.
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Henrietta Lacks' family wants compensation for her cells
The eldest son of Henrietta Lacks wants compensation from the Johns Hopkins University and possibly other institutions for the unauthorized use of her cells in research that led to decades of medical advances. Find source
Broad Institute wins bitter battle over CRISPR patents
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has upheld a series of patents granted for the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The anticipated decision could conclude a contentious battle over intellectual-property rights to the potentially lucrative technology. Find source
Fat tissue can ‘talk’ to other organs, paving way for possible treatments for diabetes, obesity
There’s more to those love handles than meets the eye. Fat tissue can communicate with other organs by sending out signals that control gene activity in other parts of the body, according to a new study. Find source
‘Breakthrough’ against drug-resistant Tuberculosis
a small study now shows that a simpler, safer regimen can cure the disease. That “may represent an enormous breakthrough,” says Richard Chaisson, who directs the Johns Hopkins University Center for Tuberculosis Research in Baltimore, Maryland. Find source
