If—like most of us—your entire understanding of DNA and genetics can be traced back to CSI reruns, you’re probably under the impression that your genome is unique; that it defines you completely. But scientists increasingly believe that’s not that case. In fact, we need to start thinking about our genomes differently.
Month: September 2013
Why London’s Bankers Are Some of the Most Frequent Sperm Donors
Data from the London Sperm Bank (LSB) reveals that finance workers are some of the most prolific spreaders of their seed. On average, 36 finance professionals visit the bank every month.
Seeking My Anonymous Sperm-Donor Father
A front-page article had hit The New York Times, and I was suddenly spammed by 6,000 well-meaning friends emailing me about DonorSiblingRegistry.com, a website that helps people track down sperm-donor fathers and potential siblings.
Give IVF a Chance
I had a visceral reaction to the Sept. 11, 2013, Opinion article by Miriam Zoll and Pamela Tsigdinos, “Selling the Fantasy of Fertility.”
Endometriosis Can Lead to Infertility
Women who find themselves having a hard time getting pregnant may have endometriosis to blame. The condition is one of the most common causes of infertility.
Hormone Therapy Risks May Vary by Weight, Other Factors
For a woman contemplating taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the increase in breast cancer risk she faces may depend on her individual body type, race and ethnicity, according to new U.S. research.
Tackling Teen Pregnancy
American birth rates are lower than ever—unless you’re in Texas. Amanda Marcotte runs down what works (free condoms) and what doesn’t (abstinence-only education) when it comes to preventing teen pregnancies.
Average Out-Of-Pocket Fertility Costs Top $5,000
Couples starting infertility treatment can expect to pay an average of more than $5,000 out of pocket for office visits, medication and related expenses, a new study of people attending San Francisco-area clinics suggests.
Appeals Court Sides With Administration Over Obamacare Contraception Mandate
A Cincinnati-based federal appeals court today sided with the Obama administration in dismissing a Michigan lawsuit by a for-profit corporation challenging a health-care law mandate that employers’ insurance coverage must include contraception for workers.
Recent Surrogacy Disputes in Focus
Surrogacy law and policy differs considerably between countries. Some jurisdictions ban or restrict the practice of surrogacy, whilst others have no legal regulation and some permit it on a commercial basis. Around the world, some jurisdictions continue to test and develop surrogacy law and policy and two recent surrogacy disputes have emerged from Wisconsin, in the United States, and South Africa which highlight the challenging legal and practical issues surrogacy can create.