Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
scientists react to Department of Health plans to buy bird flu vaccines
This followed the announcement by Patricia Hewitt that the Department of Health planned to buy 2 million doses of avian flu vaccine. read more
scientists react to news of confirmed deaths from bird flu in Indonesia
Peter Openshaw, Head of Respiratory Infections Section at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, said: “This is a … read more
Alzheimer’s community react to NICE decision on drugs
As NICE responds to the public consultation following its proposal to withdraw drug treatments for Alzheimer’s, we gather spokespeople from the Alzheimer’s Society, patients and physicians to respond. read more
scientists comment on explosives used in 7th July London bombings
These comments follow the news that the 7th July attackers may have used explosives made from household chemicals. read more
alternatives to animal research
The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research announces its first grants for promising new research projects into alternatives to animal research. read more