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Cloning Human Embryos

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:08:25 +0000

Last week researchers at Oregon Health and Science announced they had made human embryo clones using skin cells. The technique was similar to the one used to clone Dolly, the sheep, almost 20 years ago. Why has it taken so long to clone humans? Are we that different than sheep?

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Indiana Farmer Vernon Bowman Loses Lawsuit to Monsanto

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:15:15 +0000

Back in February the Supreme Court heard arguments from farmer Vernon Bowman on why he didn't need to pay royalties to Monsanto for growing their patented GMO soybeans that have been genetically modified to be resistant to the pesticide in Round-Up. Today, Mr. Bowman lost his case when the Court unanimously ruled against him. He owes Monsanto $84,000 in royalties.

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One-Step Generation of Transgenic Mice in Just Weeks

Tue, 07 May 2013 03:47:21 +0000

The lab of Rudolf Jaenisch, who developed the first transgenic mouse in 1974, has developed a new approach to genetically engineer mice in just weeks, rather than years which are currently needed. This new technique does not rely on engineering embryonic stem (ES) cells, but rather, directly introduces the genetic changes in developing mouse embryos. In addition to making production of transgenic mice and rats for laboratory research faster and easier, it should also work with other types of organisms whose embryonic cells are difficult to engineer and manipulate.

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Leading Researchers Emphasize Need to Regulate Stem Cell Therapy

Sat, 04 May 2013 19:16:31 +0000

Thirteen of the world's leading stem cell researchers just published a statement in the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Journal expressing alarm about initiatives to deregulate stem cell therapies. Recent actions by the Italian government allowing unapproved stem cell treatments precipitated the researchers' statement.

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What Effect Will the Myriad Ruling Have on Biotech?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:35:16 +0000

Much has been made of the importance of the lawsuit brought by the Association of Molecular Pathology and the ACLU against Myriad Genetics over the BRCA patents. The case was just heard by the Supreme Court and some feel a decision in favor of Myriad's patents would stifle research and enable companies to own our genes, whereas others voice concern that a decision against Myriad would undermine the biotech industry and stop the flow of innovative new medical technology. In fact, both positions seem a bit overblown.

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Day 3 of the 2013 BIO Conference

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:34:11 +0000

Session on Obamacare's Impact on Biotech

I started off the conference on Wednesday attending a session discussing the Affordable Care Act. The new law brings up some concerns for biotech businesses since the act significantly affects which drugs are reimbursed under health insurance, particularly Medicare and Medicaid. Changes in how drugs are sold and paid for will influence how they are developed and produced. It was an illuminating discussion that I intend to provide further details on in an article later. However, the short version is that there has to be a return for the costly and risky investment required to develop new innovative drugs, otherwise these new treatments won't be developed.

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Second Day of the 2013 BIO Conference

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 03:07:07 +0000

Tuesday, the first full day of the 2013 BIO Conference, included a whole day of One-on-One partnering sessions. These are essentially short 25-minute "speed-dating" meetings designed to help companies find business partners. Over 25,000 such partnering meetings will occur in during the conference. The scheduling is facilitated through a software registrants access. It can be a little intense but it's effective.

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Day 1 of 2013 BIO Conference

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 01:12:58 +0000

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) kicked off its 20th annual conference on Monday in Chicago, although there were a few satellite courses on Sunday and the BioGENEius Awards honoring winners of a research competition for high school students.

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SCOTUS Hears Arguments on Patenting Human Genes

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:11:04 +0000

The US Supreme Court will hear arguments today on whether Salt Lake City based Myriad Genetics' should be allowed to maintain exclusive rights patents on the BRCA genes that indicate ...

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Researchers Rally for Medical Research in Washington

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 01:54:09 +0000

The Rally for Medical Research, as mentioned in the post a few days ago, was held yesterday with the purpose of bringing attention to the declining level funding for medical research in the US.

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