And other news from science and technology.

Latest Human Nature columns: 1) Bush's hypocrisy  on stem cells and the death penalty. 2) Stem cells, judges, and filibuster fraud. 3) Cloning and media bias. 4) Grandma vs. a clump of cells. 5) The evolution of creationism. 6) Why GPS tracking is good for felons. 7) Why pro-lifers fear the morning-after pill. 8) If steroids are cheating, why isn't LASIK? 9) Jews vs. Catholics in the stem cell debate. 10) The case for raising the retirement age.

A fertility expert claims to have derived patient-matched embryonic stem cells without creating embryos. He reportedly did it by fusing body cells with embryonic stem cells.

Nearly half of all U.S. surrogate pregnancy brokers are serving or seeking gay clients. Surrogates say gays offer more gratitude, more emotional engagement, and less jealousy than many straight couples do.

A small study suggestschemicals used in some cosmetics and plastics may cause male genital deformities. The chemicals are called phthalates.

California haltedstate-subsidized Viagra for sex offenders. New Jersey had subsidized the drug for 55 "high-risk sex offenders" over the past 12 months.

American insurers, patients, and policyholders spent$3.5 billion on weight-loss surgery last year.

An Alzheimer's patient bought four organs in one day from the same salesman. (The organs were musical.)

Congress dropped plans to restrict women from combat. Republicans wanted to extend the existing combat ban to include positions related to combat. They retreated after the military said the bill would confuse and undermine troops in Iraq.

Moderate Republicans are seeking a compromise on stem cells. They want to spare President Bush a veto of the House-passed stem-cell funding bill, which they fear would damage him politically. Bush is rebuffing any talk of compromise. (For Human Nature's take, click here.)

The House voted to expand federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research. But the 238 votes for the bill were 52 short of the 290 necessary to override an expected presidential veto.