Behind the Headlines

'High cholesterol genes' discovered

Friday Oct 12 2012

Scientists are "a step closer to preventing heart attacks" the Daily Mail reports. The newspaper says that the largest ever genetic study of its kind paves the way for personalised drugs and treatments. This large study...

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Should we allow 'three-parent' IVF

Monday Sep 17 2012

''Three people, one baby' public consultation begins' BBC News tell us after the body that regulates the use of IVF, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, launches a public consultation into so-called three parent IVF…

Diabetes genes 'breakthrough'

Monday Aug 13 2012

“Scientists have discovered a clutch of genes that dramatically increase the risk of developing diabetes,” reports the Daily Express. The newspaper says the breakthrough “could help develop simple and cheap drugs to tackle...

'Fainting runs in families'

Wednesday Aug 8 2012

‘Feeling faint? Blame your parents’ is the advice in the Mail. The paper is reporting on a study that suggested that genes may play a role in making people prone to fainting. But can you really blame your Mum and Dad for going weak at the sight of blood…

Eve-olution' – natural selection may help women live longer

Friday Aug 3 2012

‘Fruit flies offer DNA clue to why women live longer,’ reports BBC News. Scientists studying the DNA of fruit flies believe it is to do with how mitochondrial genes are only passed from mothers to their children…

'If dad-to-be smokes DNA damage may pass to kids'

Monday Jun 25 2012

“Fathers who smoke pass on damaged DNA to their children – raising the risk of cancer,” the Daily Mail has warned. The Mail’s story was based on a small study of predominantly Greek families, whose lifestyle and...

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Bird flu virus 'may spread in people'

Friday Jun 22 2012

“Bird flu 'could mutate to cause deadly human pandemic',” BBC News has reported. The BBC says that Dutch researchers have identified mutations that could allow the H5N1 virus to spread rapidly in humans. The tone of the headlines is somewhat alarmist...

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Can stem cells repair hip damage?

Wednesday May 30 2012

A new stem cell technique could make hip replacements “a thing of the past” for some patients, says The Independent. Traditionally, people whose hip joint becomes worn or damaged over time need a mechanical implant...

Male contraceptive pill still a pipe dream

Friday May 25 2012

“Scientists are a step close to developing a contraceptive pill for men,” says The Daily Telegraph. The newspaper says that new research has found a gene the controls the final stages of sperm development and could result in temporary infertility...

'Good cholesterol' theory challenged?

Friday May 18 2012

“Good cholesterol” doesn’t lower heart attack risk, the Daily Mail has reported. A great deal of research has previously suggested that higher levels of “good” HDL cholesterol reduce your risk coronary heart disease, while higher levels...

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