“OECD countries agree Guidelines on licensing of healthcare genetics” 
(last accessed 2/2008)
(March 1) OECD reports, “OECD member countries have adopted an agreed set of Guidelines for the Licensing of Genetic Inventions used in healthcare, in a move designed to help people benefit more widely from advances in genetics while making research and innovation faster and more efficient.”
“Gene linked to depression risk”
(March 1) ABC News Online reports, “Australian researchers say more than a fifth of the population has a genetic predisposition to major depression triggered by a string of stressful life events.”
“Call for new genetic testing technologies”
(March 1) Laboratorytalk reports, “EuroGentest, the European Network of Excellence aiming at harmonising genetic testing services throughout Europe, has announced an urgent 'Call for new Innovative Techniques in Genome Diagnostics'.”
“Cell-death mechanism linked to developmental and degenerative brain disorders”
(March 1) News Medical.net reports, “An international research team has provided the first conclusive evidence that neurodevelopmental disorders such as mental retardation and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and ataxias can be caused, at least in part, by specific gene defects that interfere with the electrical impulses of rapid-firing brain nerve cells called bursting neurons.”
“Genes For Virulence In Strain Of Community-acquired MRSA Uncovered By Scientists”
(February 28) Medical News Today reports, “Scientists have identified the genes responsible for the resistance and virulence of one of the most predominant strains of community-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the US.”
“Study: Gene Therapy Doesn't Cause Tumors”
(February 28) The Post Chronicle reports, “Yale University scientists say they've determined gene therapy used to create new arteries for older patients doesn't appear to cause cancer.”
“Gene Therapy Cancer Boost”
(February 28) Sky News Today reports, “Scientists have developed a method which could protect the healthy cells of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.”
“Scientists Find Variants Of Blood Clotting Genes Increase Risk Of Coronary Disease”
(February 27) Medical News Today reports, “Rare variants of two genes that regulate blood clotting may each increase a person's risk of coronary disease by about 15%, according to a meta-analysis in this week's issue of The Lancet.”
“Scientists arrive at novel method to identify genes”
(last accessed 2/2008)
(February 27) Khaleej Times reports, “In a major advance, scientists in Bangalore — working with an American team — have found a novel way to identify new genes involved in genetic diseases.”
“Taste genes may yield important information about who smokes and why they smoke”
(February 27) News Medical.net reports, “Recent research on the genetics of smoking has focused on genes that are thought to be related to nicotine metabolism, personality traits, and regulation of emotions.”
“Alcoholism, Smoking And Genetics Among Plains American Indians”
(February 26) Medical News Today reports, “Alcoholism and smoking have a high rate of co-occurrence in the general population.”
“Gene Test Could Spot Athletes' Cardiac Risk”
(February 24) Medline Plus reports, “A rare, often fatal heart condition in young athletes could have its roots in a group of mutations in one gene, new research suggests.”
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