News Archive
Children should be told about donor conception from an early age
A new study released has said that children conceived by sperm donation should be told about their origins as young as four.
Scientists at Cambridge University have said that children and toddlers are more resilient and find it easier to process this information than adults are.
165 children conceived through sperm donation were asked for the study and it was found that those with same sex parents or those with no father around were more likely to have been told details about how they were conceived than children born to heterosexual couples.
Dr Vasanti Jadva, who led the study, said: "It appears it is better for children to be told about their donor conception from an early age. This finding is in line with research on adoption, which also shows that children benefit from early disclosure about the origins of their birth."
Review of sentencing guidelines on knife crime
Many believe the knife carrying epidemic in Britain is getting out of hand. Already 29 teenagers have been stabbed to death since the start of this year, 15 of the fatal stabbings were in London alone.
Last year; over 46% of school children admitted to carrying knives for self-defence 
and one in five 16 year olds admitted to attacking someone with a knife.
David Cameron has said that anyone caught carrying a knife without a good excuse should expect to be sent to prison.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has argued that anyone over 16 caught with an illegal knife should be prosecuted, rather than escaping with a caution.
But Mr Cameron says the presumption should go further - so anyone convicted of carrying a knife should be jailed.
Until now, warnings were given to most under 18yr olds found with knives. With the change, anyone 16 or over who carries a knife with a blade longer than 3 inches will be prosecuted. Those convicted face a penalty of up to four years in prison
Jack Straw says ministers will review sentencing guidelines on knife crime when they come into force on 4th August.