Good Eggs, Bad Sperm and Terrible Journalism
By Kirsty Oswald,
BioNews
| 03. 02. 2015
Untitled Document
You may have come across the story. 'Teenagers more likely to pass on genetic mutations to children,' reported The Independent. 'Teenage boys more likely to father child with birth defect due to mutating sperm,' declared The Metro. The Mail on Sunday was even prepared to put a figure on it: 'Teenage boys’ babies are 30 percent more likely to develop autism, schizophrenia and spina bifida.'
But was there research showing anything of the sort? The simple answer is no.
Read more...
Related Articles
By Diaa Hadid and Shweta Desai, NPR | 01.29.2026
MUMBRA, India — The afternoon sun shines on the woman in a commuter-town café, highlighting her almond-shaped eyes and pale skin, a look often sought after by couples who need an egg to have a baby.
"I have good eggs,"...
By Roni Caryn Rabin, The New York Times | 01.22.2026
The National Institutes of Health said on Thursday it is ending support for all research that makes use of human fetal tissue, eliminating funding for projects both within and outside of the agency.
A ban instituted in June 2019 by...
By Mike McIntire, The New York Times | 01.24.2026
Genetic researchers were seeking children for an ambitious, federally funded project to track brain development — a study that they told families could yield invaluable discoveries about DNA’s impact on behavior and disease.
They also promised that the children’s sensitive...
By Phil Galewitz, NPR | 01.20.2026
Serenity Cole enjoyed Christmas last month relaxing with her family near her St. Louis home, making crafts and visiting friends.
It was a contrast to how Cole, 18, spent part of the 2024 holiday season. She was in the hospital...