French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis on Monday said it had launched a 18.5-billion-dollar hostile bid for US biotechnology group and rare disease specialist Genzyme, which urged shareholders to refrain from action.

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis said on Monday it had launched an 18.5-billion-dollar (13.4-billion-euro) bid for US biotechnology group and rare disease specialist Genzyme, a proposal Genzyme management spurned in late August.

US researchers have found a new, "remarkably efficient" way to generate human stem cells that could provide an alternative to using embryonic stem cells in treating disease, a study published Thursday said.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday allowed federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research to continue pending a full appeal, lifting an injunction issued by a federal judge who had said the Obama administration's policy violated the law.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday allowed federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research to continue pending a full appeal, lifting an injunction issued by a federal judge who had said the Obama administration's policy violated the law.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday allowed federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research to continue pending a full appeal, lifting an injunction issued by a federal judge who had said the Obama administration's policy violated the law.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration on Monday pleaded with a U.S. appeals court to allow federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research to continue, arguing a ban would ruin numerous projects and cost millions of dollars.

Europe's farm ministers Monday rejected a controversial EU proposal allowing member states to make their own decisions on whether or not to ban Genetically Modified crops as a way out of deadlock.

A controversial EU bid to allow member states to make their own decisions on whether or not to ban GM crops hit a fresh snag on Monday when Italy and France dug in their heels against the move.

A controversial EU bid to allow member states to make their own decisions on whether or not to ban GM crops hit a fresh snag on Monday when Italy and France dug in their heels against the move.

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis is seeking to line up more funding to potentially raise its $18.5 billion bid for Genzyme Corp, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

Genetically altered salmon is only the beginning; more engineered animals, food are to come. We've always played with our food ? even before we knew about genes or how to change them.

We have always played with our food ? even before we knew about genes or how to change them.

US experts held a second day of hearings into whether to allow genetically modified salmon to become the first so-called "Frankenfood" animal to be served up on American dinner tables.

US experts Tuesday held a second day of hearings into whether to allow genetically modified salmon to become the first so-called "Frankenfood" animal to be served up on American dinner tables.

Consumer advocates, environmentalists and other opponents of genetically engineered salmon told the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday that it would be irresponsible not to label the fish as modified in the grocery store if it is approved for human consumption.

Consumer advocates disagree with company over labeling for its genetically engineered salmon. Consumer advocates, environmentalists and other opponents of genetically engineered salmon told the Food and Drug Administration Tuesday that it would be irresponsible not to label the fish in the grocery store if it is approved for human consumption.

A group of independent experts have urged US authorities to do more studies before allowing a genetically modified salmon to become the first transgenic animal to hit American dinner tables.

A group of independent experts have urged US authorities to do more studies before allowing a genetically modified salmon to become the first transgenic animal to hit American dinner tables.

ROCKVILLE, Maryland (Reuters) - The first genetically modified animal aimed at consumers' dinner plates faces an uncertain future following a federal advisory panel on Monday that gave a mixed assessment on whether such food -- a salmon -- is safe to eat.