What happens when someone dies in space? Space tourism brings new legal and moral issues

Commercial spaceflight companies such as Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are now offering exclusive opportunities for celebrities and civilians to travel to space. Traditionally, astronauts have been subject to rigorous training and medical scrutiny before going to space, and the risk of death from natural causes was considered remote. But in this new era of space tourism, … Read more

Boris Johnson announces ‘living with covid’ plan for England – including the end of legal requirements to isolate from 24 February

By Adam Vaughan A covid-19 vaccination site in London ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock England is to end all of its remaining legal coronavirus rules – including the requirement for people with covid-19 to self-isolate – under a ‘living with covid’ plan announced today in parliament by UK prime minister Boris Johnson. The significant shift means the country … Read more

Covid-19 news: Northern Ireland lifts remaining legal restrictions

By Michael Le Page, Clare Wilson, Jessica Hamzelou, Sam Wong, Graham Lawton, Adam Vaughan, Conrad Quilty-Harper, Jason Arunn Murugesu, Layal Liverpool, Carissa Wong and Alex Wilkins Northern Ireland health minister Robin Swann speaks at a press conference, 7 February, 2022 PA Images / Alamy Latest coronavirus news as of 11am on 15 February Remaining measures … Read more

Covid-19 news: Northern Ireland lifts remaining legal restrictions

By Michael Le Page, Clare Wilson, Jessica Hamzelou, Sam Wong, Graham Lawton, Adam Vaughan, Conrad Quilty-Harper, Jason Arunn Murugesu, Layal Liverpool, Carissa Wong and Alex Wilkins Northern Ireland health minister Robin Swann speaks at a press conference, 7 February, 2022 PA Images / Alamy Latest coronavirus news as of 11am on 15 February Remaining measures … Read more

New CRISPR patent hearing continues high-stakes legal battle | Science

Another showdown in the seemingly endless patent battle over who invented CRISPR, the genome editor that has revolutionized biology, took place today at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This latest hearing saw charges that one party improperly obtained early CRISPR information, as well as a detailed scientific discussion of a crucial question: Who … Read more