Human-Animal Embryo Proposal gets the Green Light
British researchers get the go ahead from the fertility regulator to create cytoplasmic embryos by combining human cells with animal eggs. The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) support the controversial proposal, given that cytoplasmic embryo will allow scientists to discover new treatments for illnesses such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The cytoplasmic embryos will also provide scientists with an abundant supply of stem cells that will aid in the discovery of new treatments and lead to a better understanding of stem cells.
With the approval of the HFEA, two groups of researchers from King's College, London, and Newcastle University have already applied for a license to use the human-animal embryos in their research. The composition of such embryos is more than 99% human, and around 0.1% animal. The embryos are formed using genetic material (DNA) from human donors, and eggs (without DNA) from rabbits or cows.
Source: The Press Association
September 7, 2007
Suicide Risk in Pregnant Women
A study looking at the suicide rate in women in the UK between 1985 and 2002, found that 129 women committed suicide during pregnancy. Researchers, in the study, from the University of Ulster note that nurses need to spend more time regulating the mental health issues related to pregnancy and motherhood to help prevent future moms from taking their lives. The study also showed that all the pregnant women who committed suicide were all over the age of 19 and 68 percent of them committed violent suicidal acts.
It’s been estimated that 70 percent of the women had a probable psychiatric illness at the time of their death. Although, parenting is a rewarding time in life, pregnancy and the thought of motherhood may cause some women to feel socially isolated and hopeless, which may lead to a risk of a mental illness like depression, said Iain McGowan, a lecturer in nursing.
Source: Nursing In practice
September 7, 2007
Why Not Use an IUD?
Although, intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD) provide a safe and reliable form of contraception, women in Western countries seem not to use it as much, says one women health expert. Sally Rose, a Research Fellow at the University of Otago, New Zealand, says IUD not only can be used by a majority of women, but can also prove beneficial for women’s reproductive health if used regularly for a long period of time.
According to research, about 50 percent of all IUD users live in China, 6 percent in UK, 4.6 percent in Australia and New Zealand, and fewer than 1 percent in America. One reason why such as a small percentage of women use IUD in Western countries could have resulted from the fear that spread after a brand of IUD named Dalkon Shield caused pelvic infections among thousands of women in 1970s. Normally, a pelvic infection results from Chlamydia, so testing for any infections before inserting IUD is recommended, and also using a condom is encouraged, to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
