US medical company patents basic aspect of human physiology crucial to IVF treatment

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Auxogyn and Stamford University face criticism from leading embryologist.

A donated human embryo is seen through a microscope. Photograph: Getty Images

The US has granted a patent to a biotechnology company Auxogyn covering data about cell cycles which at least one leading embryologist believes is a basic aspect of human physiology.

Jacques Cohen, a Dutch embryologist best known for being the first to successfully freeze and thaw a human embryo for use in IVF, accused the company, as well as Stanford University, of "claiming aspects of natural processes in embryos as property", calling it "an outrageous attempt to over-commercialise every step of an already expensive medical procedure".

The Guardian's Robin McKie explains the data which is now protected:

The use of cell-cycle timing data to make dramatic improvements in IVF success rates was recently outlined in the UK. By studying the time embryos take to develop, researchers could pick the best ones to be implanted into the womb. To do this, thousands of pictures are taken during the first few days of an IVF embryo's life. Implantation success rates could triple because of this work, researchers said.

The patent means that, in the US at least, IVF procedures will either get more expensive or their efficacy will be limited. But more than that, it's controversial because the information is an inherent aspect of human physiology making it difficult to think of it as a medical "invention".

The controversy follows on from the row over the patents granted to Myriad Genetics over certain mutations of the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Those mutations are strong markers of cancer risk in women, and Angelina Jolie's notable decision to have a preventative double mastectomy was based on a test revealing that she was a carrier. But the licensing fees for the test push its cost up to over $3000, while the actual test itself could be done for as little as $99.

Myriad Genetics patents were taken to court, after activists argued that it was illegal to take ownership of human genes. The company won the case in the US Court of Appeals, however, after it argued that the patent is technically over the "isolated" DNA molecules. Since those isolated genes would never exist if they weren't removed from the chromosome by the test, the judge concurred that "each of the claimed molecules represents a nonnaturally occurring composition of matter." The case is now being appealed to the Supreme Court.

Whether Auxogyn will be able to make a similar argument in court or whether attempts to fight the patent will even make it to court remains to be seen. But it looks more and more likely that Myriad Genetics patents were not a one-off, and were instead the beginning of a concerning trend.

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US medical company patents basic aspect of human physiology crucial to IVF treatment

BaMa — Road to Longevity 2 巴马长寿之旅 2 – Video

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BaMa -- Road to Longevity 2 #24052; #39532; #38271; #23551; #20043; #26053; 2
Organizer: Zhong Hua ZhiNeng Science Research Center #20013; #21326; #26234; #33021; Contact Number : 0111-0555-299 / 0111-0555-399.

By: Bama Tour

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BaMa -- Road to Longevity 2 巴马长寿之旅 2 - Video

Plan for ‘financial longevity’

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At 95, Nola Ochs became the oldest college graduate; skydiver Mary Armstrong celebrated her 90th birthday with a 12,000 foot jump; and at 93, Bert Kilbride was still scuba divingToday, 80 and older is the fastest growing segment of the total U.S. population. Dramatic growth in life expectancies and energetic lifestyles are now enabling us to live 20 to 25% of our lives in active retirement.

Recognizing Americans are living longer than ever before, many financial advisors and tax professionals have created niche specialties focusing on creating highly personalized financial longevity strategies you can start implementing at any age to plan for the future - today.

Ready for Retirement?

Virtually every week on The Today Show, Willard Scott congratulates centenarians celebrating long lives but he doesnt address serious concerns like Did you save enough for such a long retirement horizon? and How is inflation eroding your purchasing power?

Considering a myriad of variables can impact retirement income, working with a financial advisor to develop a personalized portfolio can help you reap the benefits of services such as in-depth analysis of current economic outlooks; and vigilant monitoring of international conditions influencing optimal ways to take advantage of global market trends.

So you can be the master of your own destiny, financial advisors can also help devise master financial plans determining how a good asset allocation strategy can help manage investment opportunities and risks. A trusted financial advisor can help you set realistic goals and develop a financial plan to meet them; live within your means; gain a basic education about investments, taxes, insurance, estate and retirement planning; and suggest ways you can diversify so you dont have too many eggs in one basket.

Ric Edelman, heralded as the nations #1 independent financial advisor, hosts a radio talk show routinely featuring segments on how to prepare for retirement. Primary considerations he recommends include: Determining how much money youll spend monthly; anticipating the cost of health care; purchasing long-term care insurance; refinancing your mortgage; boosting cash reserves; evaluating sources of income; revising investment strategies to keep pace with the rising cost of living; and reviewing your estate plan.

Take Stock of Options If youre investing in stocks, your financial advisor should provide you with a wide range of stock investing services such as developing personal asset allocation strategies; selecting individual stocks; assisting with decisions about when to buy and sell stocks; and frequently providing stock portfolio reviews.

Potential investors need to explore questions such as What are my investment goals? How much risk am I willing to take? and How can my stock investments work with the rest of my investment portfolio? Beyond stocks and investmentproducts, discussions with financial advisors may also encompass the merits of annuities, bonds, CDs, exchange traded funds, futures and commodities, IRAs, market linked investments, mutual funds and unit investment trusts.

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Plan for ‘financial longevity’

GM Salmon, Genetic Engineering of Farm Animals to Arrive in Summer 2013 Despite Public Opposition – Video

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GM Salmon, Genetic Engineering of Farm Animals to Arrive in Summer 2013 Despite Public Opposition
By summer of 2013, US governing bodies, or, the alphabet soup of corruption (USDA, FDA, etc.) are expected to grant permission for scientists to roll out gen...

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GM Salmon, Genetic Engineering of Farm Animals to Arrive in Summer 2013 Despite Public Opposition - Video

Expansion of Services and Treatments at Vancouver Cosmetic Clinic Offers New Hope to Patients in the Fraser Valley and …

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Vancouver BC (PRWEB) May 28, 2013

Why bigger is better!

With over twenty lasers and skin perfecting devices at Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skin Care Clinic, and over fifty treatments available, Dr. Shah is able to address patients needs, fulfill their desires, and make a real difference in the appearance of those who seek his expertise. He is supported by a staff that mirror the clinics passion for results.

Variety is more than the spice of lifeit brings results!

Imagine having multiple solutions to every skin care or complexion concern. The vast array of treatments gives people options. The clinic has the luxury of ascertaining and providing the very best treatment for clientswithout having to sacrifice on the end result. One-size-all treatments don't cut it anymore. Patients are educated and expect the best. The large range of treatments and services rival and surpass most downtown clinics in Vancouver BC and are now available to men and women in the Fraser Valley without the need to travel.

The non-surgical aesthetics industry is fiercely competitive; having only one option for a patients isn't good enough, multiple technologies and singular or combined treatments must be customized to meet the demands of an educated consumer. -Dr. Shah

At Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skincare Clinic skin, perfecting treatments to correct aging or complexion concerns such as acne, pigmentation, melasma, loose skin, wrinkles, skin dullness, veins, photo damage laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal and body treatments for cellulite and fat reduction are offered. Dr. Shah also provides dermal facial fillers and Botox to turn back the signs of aging.

Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Langley, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Langley, Burnaby, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, Vancouver are all areas that are covered by Beautiful Canadian Laser and we are proud of the fact that many of clients travel from outlaying areas based on the quality of treatments and service offered.

About Dr. Sachit Shah, MD

Medical Director of Beautiful Candian Laser and Skin Care Clinic Medical Director of Amari Medical Clinic

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Expansion of Services and Treatments at Vancouver Cosmetic Clinic Offers New Hope to Patients in the Fraser Valley and ...

The Best 'Anti-aging Vitamin' — What Health Experts Don't Tell You

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Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 27, 2013

A recent CBS report revealed that married couples tend to live longer and adapt better to health setbacks than their single counterparts.

This phenomenon was also verified by numerous independent studies. Single, divorced and widowed men or women simply have a higher mortality rate than their married counterparts.

"Being in love and being married can drive a person to perform better in all aspects of life," says marriage expert Hellen Chen, who has personally match-made for over 100 singles and further followed up with the couples' married lives afterwards.

Chen has frequently worked with men and women who have lost faith in relationships and given up on the aspect of marriage. Some have had irresolvable marriage problems and went the divorce route and some have had many bad relationship experiences even before stepping into marriage.

"When I finally convinced them to step into marriage and really learn to create the loving relationship they want, you can see a changed person right in front of your eyes. They become more energetic in life and they just feel and look better!" smiled Chen.

Being happily married herself for over 20 years, Chen said that her relationship with her spouse has helped her stay youthful and energetic.

Chen work long hours as a business management consultant running companies in two different time zones: US and Taiwan.

She has also written 20 books as an author.

Her frequent travels mean a huge amount of time spent on airplanes and adjusting to the time zones frequently.

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The Best 'Anti-aging Vitamin' -- What Health Experts Don't Tell You

UK & World News: Stem cell therapy 'shows results'

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May 27 2013

Five stroke victims have shown small signs of recovery following pioneering stem cell therapy.

Prof Keith Muir, of Glasgow University, said the results were "not what we would have expected" from the group of patients who had previously shown no indications of their conditions improving.

The trial involved injecting stem cells directly into the damaged parts of the patients' brains, with the hope that they would turn into healthy tissue or "kick-start" the body's own repair processes.

Frank Marsh, 80, one of the nine patients taking part in the trial at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital, told the BBC he had seen improvements in the use of his left hand.

"I can grip certain things that I never gripped before, like the hand rail at the baths, with my left hand as well as my right," he said."It still feels fairly weak and it's still a wee bit difficult to co-ordinate, but it's much better than it was." He added: "I'd like to get back to playing my piano."

His wife Claire said: "He had reached a plateau and wasn't really improving (after his stroke). But following the operation he is able to do things he couldn't do before, such as make coffee, dressing and holding on to things."

The study involved patients who suffered strokes some time ago and had shown no signs of making any further spontaneous improvement.

Prof Muir said the results were "at the present time not what we would have expected in this group but far from being able to say whether it's something specifically related to the cells".

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We know that some of the cells will survive and potentially turn into relevant tissue. We also suspect that a large part of what we do is kick-starting repair processes that are already present in the body. So there's probably a mixture of things going on. Quite what it is that's happening in the patients, we won't know for some time to come."

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UK & World News: Stem cell therapy 'shows results'