Archive for July 30th, 2007

ADVANCES CITED IN RESEARCH ON MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Monday, July 30th, 2007

nullMultiple Sclerosis is a debilitating disease that affects thousands of Americans. It causes a myriad of symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to paralysis. Researchers trying to identify the relevant genes have endured repeated frustration.

“In three articles published online yesterday in The New England Journal of Medicine, three teams of researchers say they have identified, by separate routes, new genetic variants that contribute to the disease.”
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WITHOUT U.S. RULES, BIOTECH FOOD LACKS INVESTORS

Monday, July 30th, 2007

nullHow much and just what genetically engineered food are you willing to eat? Does it bother you that your food supply is being “designed” for you?

“This little piggy’s manure causes less pollution. This little piggy produces extra milk for her babies. And this little piggy makes fatty acids normally found in fish, so that eating its bacon might actually be good for you.The three pigs, all now living in experimental farmyards, are among the genetically engineered animals whose meat might one day turn up on American dinner plates. Bioengineers have also developed salmon that grow to market weight in about half the typical time, disease-resistant cows and catfish needing fewer antibiotics, and goats whose milk might help ward off infections in children who drink it.”

O”nly now, though, do federal officials seem to be getting serious about drafting rules that would determine whether and how such meat, milk and filets can safely enter the nation’s food supply.”

“Some scientists and biotechnology executives say that by having the Food and Drug Administration spell out the rules of the game, big investors would finally be willing to put up money to create a market in so-called transgenic livestock.”
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MONDAY ON WALL ST.: JITTERS RATHER THAN MERGERS

Monday, July 30th, 2007

nullOn Wall Street today is usually known as “Meger Monday”. Not today. Things are very different today because last week closed out as the worst week in the past 5 years!

“For several years, the size and volume of deals announced at the start of the week set the tone and pace for the global financial markets for the next five days, more often than not sparking rallies that sent shares to new highs. But given the rout in the markets last week, “Merger Monday,” as the day is known, may be on hold — indefinitely.”
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