In "Scientist attacks 'outrageous' cell-cycle patent" (News, 26 May, page 1), we reported allegations by embryologist Jacques Cohen that a Stanford University patent, exclusively licensed to Auxogyn, Inc., claimed a part of nature and was detrimental to IVF patients and research. Auxogyn, Inc., believes that it is wrong to suggest that the patent claims a natural process. The patent describes a method of assessing the development of embryos, rather than embryonic development itself. The company points out that US Patent 7,963,906 B2 claims "a method for assessing the potential for developmental competence of a human embryo…". It was granted in the US, with a similar patent granted in Europe. According to Lissa Goldstein of Auxogyn, "our Early Embryo Viability Assessment (Eeva) test is a non-invasive way to help embryologists select the embryos most likely to succeed. Given this ground-breaking advance, Eeva has the potential to minimise unsuccessful IVF treatments, and will therefore reduce patients' stress and costs."
"'Brutal' attempt to end Guantanamo hunger strike" (News, last week, page 12) described the introduction of "metal-tipped" feeding tubes. Unpleasant as it is, to weight the tip of a tube with tungsten is usual practice.
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