Well, the news out of Great Britain that apparently healthy twins were born from a new technique involving maturation of human oocytes - "eggs" - outside of the body will probably be hailed as the solution to the problem of where to get the eggs for embryonic stem cell and cloning research. It won't solve the problem that I asked earlier today as to whether and why it's important or ethical.
It's interesting that the article emphasizes the danger of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome:
In mild and moderate cases, affecting up to 20% of women undergoing ovary stimulation, this leads to symptoms such as swelling and breathlessness that resolves.
However, in about 1% the symptoms can become so severe that they are deadly. Among women with PCOS [Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome], the rate is nearer 5-10%.
Thanks to Wired Science blog for the tip.
1 comment:
Very interesting. The success rate is still disapointing, but its early days yet - I am hopeful that with further refinement the reliability will be improved, making it more practical both for assisted reproduction and research.
Post a Comment