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Discusses the fear in the United States that well-intentioned microbial research could be misused to develop bioweapons. Concern of scientists like biologist Ariella Rosengard about government restriction on publishing research results; Types of research that might be misused; How public attention has focused on the potential for altering the pox viruses; Idea that bioengineered diseases pose a threat equal to that of nuclear weapons; Efforts of the George W. Bush administration to restrict research publishing.

Reports on the recommendation by the British government to change laws to allow research on human embryos. Use of stem cells, which are primordial cells that can grow into almost any type of tissue, to make replacement tissue for anything in the body; Alternative of therapeutic cloning which makes perfectly matched organs from the patient's own tissue; Pressure for change of laws that ban research on stem cells in the United States; How the use of adult stem cells could be an alternative to embryos.

Presents news briefs relating to health and medical care. U.S. states which allow psychologists to prescribe drugs; Risk of pre-diabetes among obese people; Isolation of a chemical that causes blood clots.

Focuses on United States President George W. Bush's endorsement of some embryonic stem cell research in summer 2001. Reaction of the scientific community to his decision on funding research to 60 existing colonies of embryonic stem cells; Concern about viable cell lines throughout the generations of replication.

Discusses the approval of the abortion pill, RU486 in the United States and England. Outlook for the banning of misoprostol by anti-abortion campaigners; Use of misoprostol to complete the abortion process; Development of misoprostol for the treatment of ulcers; Outlook for the situation.

Reports on the contamination of food in the United States by a genetically modified crop approved only for animal feed. Action taken by activists, in light of the incident; Approval of the corn crop by the United States Environmental Protection Agency; Compounds in the corn to which humans may be allergic.

Reports on the development of research using human embryos. Guidelines set by the United States National Institutes of Health which will allow researchers to apply for public funds to work with embryonic stem cells; Differences between British and American laws concerning stem cell research.

Reports on the decision made by the Kansas State Board of Education in 1999 which largely purged the teaching of evolution from the state curricula. Reaction to the decision; Lessons that will be taught instead; Comments from Molleen Matsumura of the National Center for Science Education in Berkeley, California.

Reports the reconsideration by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a policy of restricting gene testing on sterile people. Allowances for gene therapy; Details of tests on animals using viruses or other vectors to deliver therapeutic DNA; Attack of the policy at a March 1999 meeting of the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC); Comments from members.

Focuses on a report by the United States National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) on guidelines for experiments involving patients with psychiatric illnesses. Why advocates for the mentally ill were disappointed with the report; What the report calls for; The need for a national panel to review all the research protocols for experiments which offer no potential therapeutic benefits even where the patient is incapable of giving informed consent.