Thursday, 25 December 2014

Chips Off the Old Blocks?


Topical news at Christmas (with its link to a claimed 'virgin birth') that scientists at Cambridge University have had some success stimulating skin cells with growth factors to convert to early stage eggs and sperm (http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/dec/24/science-skin-cells-create-artificial-sperm-eggs). Apparently female skin samples can only generate eggs but male material can produce eggs or sperm, a factor related to the presence of the X and Y chromosomes. The intention (if there is a change in the UK Law) is that, eventually, the processes may be used to treat infertility in humans.

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Sandwich Island Saga 41. Overview

At the end of my first return to the Hawaiian Islands for some 30 years, a recap seems appropriate.  The islands are American without quite ...