Biotech lobbyists’ clout grows in Washington
The Biotechnology Industry Organization is still unpacking from its move into a bigger office a few blocks from the White House, underscoring the outfit’s rapid climb to lobbying juggernaut status.

Gene Doping Threatens to Transform Sports
“If it does take off, sport as we know it will disappear”

FDA Acts To Speed Bioterror Medicines
Responding to the threat of anthrax and other forms of chemical and biological terrorism, the Food and Drug Administration adopted new rules yesterday that will speed the approval of drugs that could protect people from attacks.

A Challenge to Science and Nature
A new journal will challenge publishing behemoths such as Science, Nature and Cell by offering free access to research articles immediately upon publication on the Web.

Life after Venter
At Celera Genomics, a new president and questions about the company’s direction.

Biotech heads west for VC
The pot of gold to fund biotech research in Memphis may come from Little Rock

Cloning Bill Bans Abortion Too?
Cloning and abortion — separate issues altogether, right? Maybe not. There are those who believe that if cloning is outlawed, then abortion will be too.

Biotech Banker Predicts More Meetings But Fewer Attendees
It’s tougher and tougher for people to figure out what’s the right venue for them, for whatever they’re trying to accomplish…

Faulty Genes Explain Why Cloning Is So Difficult
Cloning may not always completely reprogram an egg cell the way sexual reproduction does, which would explain why the process fails so often, researchers reported on Monday.

Two New Bills Present Challenges to DNA Patentability
This time the challenge to the patents, commonly called gene patents, comes from the US House of Representatives in the form of two bills introduced on March 15 by Rep. Lynn Rivers (D-Mich.). If enacted, each of these would threaten future biotech innovation in the US.