Scientists have both the right and a moral duty to be "stewards of God" by genetically modifying crops to help the world's poor, scientific advisers to the Vatican said.

Arguments over whether to allow one-off sales of ivory stockpiles have dominated the opening of a two-week summit on trade in endangered species.

Obesity kills, everyone knows that. But is it possible that we've been looking at the problem in the wrong way? It seems getting fatter may be part of your body's defence against the worst effects of unhealthy eating, rather than their direct cause.

Better parenting and pre-school preparation for education may be the best way to make society healthier and fairer, says a UK government review.

"Zero-tolerance" laws designed to keep Europe free of unauthorised GM crops are unworkable, say farmers

Humanity's relationship with alcohol has never been easy. Now it is about to undergo as great a change as our attitude to tobacco, which has seen smoking plummet from the height of cool to the lowest of unpleasant habits.

Galapagos finches could be among the first casualties of mosquitoes that stow away on aircraft, potentially bringing fatal viruses to the islands.

Techniques to improve the nutritional content and processing of crops are better spread using video, suggests a programme in Benin.

The Quechua of Peru are among the first recipients of a new global fund for becoming custodians of the world's threatened crops.

Stripped-down pig tissue seeded with human cells has the potential to create a virtually limitless supply of human-compatible organs.

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