China has pledged to end the practice of taking organs from executed prisoners within the next five years, state media report.
Officials say the country would instead rely on a new national donation system for organ transplants.
Read more on BBC News or China Daily.
ISN leaders recently submitted a letter to the NEJM to highlight the role of GO programs in developing kidney medicine in Tanzania. Although the letter was not accepted for publication, we thought it would be of interest to ISN members, to reinforce the leading role that GO plays in building capacity in developing countries, through its Fellowship Program and other initiatives.
In a stunning development, Novartis said Tuesday that it will terminate the late-stage ALTITUDE study investigating Rasilez (aliskiren) in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment on the recommendation of an independent data monitoring committee.
Read more on our partner site UKidney
Fresh from TED2011 last week: Surgeon Anthony Atala demonstrates an early-stage experiment that could someday solve the organ-donor problem: a 3D printer that uses living cells to output a transplantable kidney. Using similar technology, Dr. Atalas young patient Luke Massella received an engineered bladder 10 years ago; we meet him onstage. (Recorded at TED2011, March 2011, in Long Beach, California. Duration: 17:24)
ISN Executive Committee members will meet in Oxford for an intensive 3-day discussion about the future of the ISN.
Topics for discussion are:
- strategy plan 2012-2015
- education initiatives
- membership benefits, categories and fees
- ISN governance
All members have been asked to give their input to these discussions by responding to some questions during the month of June. We are pleased to say that over 1000 responses have been received, and they will be invaluable in inspiring the decisions and providing the pulse of ISN members needs and wishes.
So, thanks so much for your help, and stay tuned for a report after the retreat is over.