Author Archives: Science Media Centre
scientists respond to report on complementary medicine commissioned by Prince Charles
As a report into complementary medicine commissioned by Prince Charles was released, we put up scientists to comment on the science behind it. read more
psychology of disfigurement
The Healing Foundation announced a new national research project aimed at better understanding why some cope with disfigurement and serious appearance concerns better than others. read more
controversial cloning work – rapid reaction
Panos Zavos of the Andrology Institute of America was in town again to announce his second unsuccessful attempt to clone a human and John Gonzalez was there to recruit sperm donors. We found experts to comment. read more
health effects of pesticides report – Rapid Reaction
After a report from the Royal Commission of Environmental Pollution, we asked scientists to question and comment on the science. read more
the science of verifying nuclear tests
Experts come to explain the science behind an International Monitoring System developed by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation to monitor whether countries are breaking the ban on nuclear testing. read more
cord blood chemical scare – Rapid Reaction
Scientists commented on a Mail front page “Babies being poisoned in the womb” which was based on the WWF report on the transferral of chemicals in cord blood. read more
scientists react to HFEA license
These comments were collected after the HFEA granted a license to research creating an embryo containing genetic material from two mothers. read more
phenomenology
Psychiatrists attending an international conference in London brief journalists on their plans to use phenomenology to take a fresh look at mental illness. read more
scientists react to new chimp research published in Nature
Professor Chris Stringer, hominid researcher, Department of Palaeontology, Natural History Museum, said: “On the chimp fossil find – this shows … read more
scientists react to news of closure of guinea pig farm
Professor Tipu Aziz, Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Radcliffe Infirmary who uses primates in his pioneering research into Parkinson’s Disease, said: … read more
scientists react to new research published in Science on reprogramming cells
Professor Ian Wilmut, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, said: “This is a very interesting paper that adds considerably … read more
scientists respond to development in GM plant research
The new research, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, described a new way to develop GM plants. read more
adult stem cells
As the debate rages on concerning the use of adult versus embryonic stem cells, scientists launch new research on umbilical c
ord stem cells. read more
fertility experts respond to government’s plans to review HFEA
Lord Winston, Imperial College, London, said: “There is a clear case for thoroughly examining the clinical regulation of in vitro … read more
chimeras
The use of animal-human chimeras have sparked controversy. Scientists come to the SMC to discuss what chimeras are, why they are used and the ethical issues surrounding their use. read more
heat and health
As the summer hots up, physiologists and meteorologists come to the centre to explain why heatwaves can be dangerous to health, whether we are likely to experience more of them in future and how we should prepare for them. read more
transgenic animals
As the Home Office figures for the number of animal procedures carried out in scientific research are expected soon. Scientists expect to see an increase due to the use of transgenic animals – each breeding counts as a procedure – which are being used to understand the function of different genes. read more
avian flu: new research published in Nature and Science
The authors of papers published this week in Science and Nature, which examine how a human avian flu pandemic could be contained at source, brief journalists. read more
scientists react to news of the first cloned dog as published in Nature
The Afghan hound called Snuppy was created in South Korea by the cloning team led by Professor Woo Suk Hwang. read more
scientists comment on egg donation request
These comments follow the news that cloning expert Ian Wilmut is seeking permission from the HFEA to ask women to donate eggs for research purposes. read more