biomedical research

There was an uproar in 2018 when a scientist in China, He Jiankui, announced that he had successfully used CRISPR to edit the genes of twin girls when they were embryos. Prominent scientists hope to stop further attempts at germline editing, at least for

Call For Global Moratorium On Creating Gene-Edited Babies

5:20pm March 13, 2019

by Rob Stein

An international group of 18 prominent scientists and bioethicists is calling for countries around the world to impose a moratorium on the creation of babies whose genes have been altered in the lab.

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A study found that parachutes were no more effective than empty backpacks at protecting jumpers from aircraft. There was just one catch.

Researchers Show Parachutes Don't Work, But There's A Catch

8:01am December 22, 2018

by Richard Harris

A study found parachutes were no more effective than backpacks in preventing harm to people jumping from aircraft. The researchers' tongue-in-cheek experiment makes a deeper point about science.

For years, pregnant women have been routinely excluded from medical studies, a practice that has left unanswered questions about how best to treat many health conditions during pregnancy.

Research Gaps Leave Doctors Guessing About Treatments For Pregnant Women

5:34pm December 10, 2018

by Alison Kodjak

To protect a developing fetus from experimental drugs or treatments that might cause birth defects, pregnant women aren't included in many clinical trials. But that limits the safety evidence, too.

Tianjin, in northern China, is home to Tianjin University, an international research center that recently hired an American to lead its school of pharmaceutical science and technology. He recruits students from all over the world, he says, and the program

China Expands Research Funding, Luring U.S. Scientists And Students

1:23pm November 27, 2018

by Joe Palca

In a quest to rapidly advance its scientific depth and breadth, China is recruiting scientists from around the world. Some from the U.S. say the greater funding for school and research is freeing.

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Since early 2013, 110 chimpanzees have been retired to Chimp Haven sanctuary in Keithville, La., from the New Iberia Research Center in Lafayette, La. That's the largest group of government-owned chimps ever sent to sanctuary. Sabrina, seen here, arrived

Report: Most Former Research Chimps Should Move To Retirement Sanctuaries

11:52am May 18, 2018

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

A working group convened by the National Institutes of Health looked at where chimps that had been used in research should live now. Unless relocating chimps would endanger them, a sanctuary is best.

Study participants often answer questions differently, depending on the questioner's gender. Sex hormones can affect results, too.

A Scientist's Gender Can Skew Research Results

5:16pm January 10, 2018

by Richard Harris

If a female researcher asks a man if he's in pain, he's less likely to admit it. The effect of gender on study results has been known for years. But it's rarely disclosed or discussed.

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Health workers killed chickens in a Hong Kong market in 2014 in an effort to stop the spread of H7N9 flu. It's being watched closely as a virus that might spark a pandemic outbreak.

NIH Lifts Ban On Research That Could Make Deadly Viruses Even Worse

11:12pm December 19, 2017

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

After an unusual three-year moratorium, the federal government says it will once again allow research on deadly viruses that could spark pandemics. The work has sparked concerns about bioterrorism.

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Experiments that showed how to make the H5N1 bird flu virus more contagious raised concern about malicious misuse of laboratory research.

Efforts To Prevent Misuse Of Biomedical Research Fall Short

3:56pm September 14, 2017

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

The National Academies of Sciences says not enough has been done to keep legitimate research on pathogens and toxins from being misappropriated and turned into biological weapons.

Scientists have edited out defective genes in a human embryo.

People Back Editing Genes To Treat Disease, But Are Wary Of Inheritable Changes

10:57pm August 10, 2017

by Courtney Columbus

Scientists are getting closer to being able to alter people's genes permanently. A survey found that people are more cautious about changes that could be passed on to future generations.

The chip has not been tested in humans, but it has been used to heal wounds in mice.

A Chip That Reprograms Cells Helps Healing, At Least In Mice

5:00am August 08, 2017

by Angus Chen

This device shoots new genetic code into cells to make them change their purpose. Researchers say the chip could someday be used to treat injuries in humans. But they've got a long, long way to go.