The tissue issue

The human tissue bill has provoked anger but what specific science would be derailed? Kirsty Scott investigates

Obesity research starved

A shortage of research funds is crippling attempts to find a cure for obesity, a leading scientist said yesterday.

Immunity is everything

The supposed need to boost our bodies' defences is the defining illness of our age, writes Vivienne Parry.

Blink and you live

Doctors have found a twilight state that blurs the distinction between life and death. Laura Spinney on how rare glimpses of sentience can now save coma patients.