Too cruel to continue
Whaling should be halted because the animals suffer before dying, say 140 non-governmental organisations. The NGOs are backing a report issued on Tuesday by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, which says it takes 2 minutes, on average, for harpooned whales to die. Some stay alive for as long as 90 minutes.
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An IVF clinic aimed specifically at lesbians and single women was launched in the UK on Monday by John Gonzalez, founder of the controversial Man Not Included website that supplies sperm for women who want a child. British law says clinics must consider a child鈥檚 need for a father, but earlier this year the head of the UK鈥檚 IVF regulatory authority said this is outdated.
Abandon floe!
Twelve Russian researchers were rescued from an Arctic ice floe by helicopter on Saturday. They were stranded there after their research base, North Pole-32, was crushed under a wall of ice on 3 March.
Biosecurity clampdown
The US government has announced a broad new effort to manage biological research that might be misused by terrorists or rogue governments. The new National Security Advisory Board for Biosecurity will have 25 experts from fields as diverse as biosecurity, microbiology and law enforcement. Some scientists are concerned that the board will limit freedom of information.
Heavenly reward
The US amateur astronomer who discovers the biggest near-Earth asteroid each year will receive a $3000 reward from NASA under a law passed by the House of Representatives on 3 March, providing the bill gets US Senate approval. A similar award is planned for the amateur who makes the greatest contribution to cataloguing such asteroids.