UK bio-engineers have been given permission by the UK Human
Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to run trials of mitochondrial DNA
replacement therapy i.e. giving embryos DNA from three parents. A decision on
whether to authorise the therapy for medical use is expected later this year. Objections
raised so far have been dismissed, with the objectors described as “religious groups
who oppose all forms of IVF.” However, a prominent American genetics policy
advocate has spoken out against the practice in the respected journal ‘Nature’,
saying that many scientists of various beliefs have concerns about the safety
and ethics of genetic engineering. She also challenges the predicted usefulness of resulting techniques, and the HFEA’s claims that the therapy
would not affect a person’s identity.
There has been strong criticism of the Crown Prosecution
Service’s decision not to prosecute two doctors who performed abortions because
the babies were girls. Yet the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, a leading UK
abortion provider, has been quoted as saying that it would be “wrong” in some
circumstances to refuse to consider a request on the grounds of gender.
A group of Christian worshippers led by three Church of England
priests conducted a 15-minute act of worship and “exorcism of the spirits of
militarism and violence” outside London’s Excel centre, where a major arms fair
is taking place. Police threatened them with arrest for blocking a public
highway, but in the end only arrested and charged one person, a member of the
anti-capitalist co-ordinating network Christianity Uncut.
England’s football team managed a 0-0 draw against Ukraine
in Kiev. Although the performance was disappointing, they remain top of their
qualifying group by a single point. The Republic of Ireland lost to Austria and
can now only qualify by a mathematical miracle; Scotland managed an away win against
a Balkan team, which Wales failed to achieve while playing at home; and
Northern Ireland lost away to Luxembourg. It’s Luxembourg’s first home win in
World Cup competition for 31 years.
A Christian couple in Washington state have been found guilty
of manslaughter and child abuse, and the mother of homicide by abuse, after
their fifteen year old adopted daughter died of hypothermia aggravated by
malnutrition. The parents owned a controversial child-rearing book published by
a ministry in Tennessee which emphasises physical punishment as a
child-raising technique. The book’s author claims he is merely defending the
Biblical perspective on use of the ‘rod’, and highlights passages in the book such
as “never spank in anger”. However, this is the third time that a trial
involving child death by parental abuse has been linked to this book.
Serena Williams won the US Open tennis tournament. It’s her
17th Grand Slam title, meaning she has equalled Roger Federer’s
record.
Following Samsung’s release of their Galaxy Gear smartwatch,
Apple have announced two new iPhones, the 5C and the 5S. The 5S has fingerprint
sensors for security, an upgraded camera and an advanced chip. Apple have also
announced a new operating system, iOS7. Nokia have also made an announcement:
they have a new owner, with their phone business being sold to Microsoft.
And finally, the Gleaning Network UK (slogan: “Where there’s
muck, there’s brassica!”) is an “exciting new initiative” that aims to
transport mis-shapen or over-produced crops from farms to food banks and
charities. Farmers and volunteer helpers are invited to join.
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