Genetic Engineering of Plants
A
discussion of efforts for a hunger-free world is in Asia-Pacific
Perspectives Japan 2 (June 2004),
25-32. Genomic studies of plants
are expected to lead to further improvements in crop production, SA (Aug. 2004), 26-33. An orange banana rich in vitamin A is being reintroduced into diets of
children in Micronesia after being neglected in the face of imported foods for
some time, NS (10 July 2004), 16.
On international farm subsidies discussions, NS (7 Aug. 2004), 4. Rice farming is discussed in Nature 429 (2004), 803. On soil degradation, Science 304 (2004), 1616-8. The divergence of rice genomes is
discussed in PNAS 101 (2004),
12404-10. Evidence of wheat and barkey milling about 22,000 years ago has been
found in Israel, Science 305
(2004), 940.
The race
between public and private collaborations to sequence Agrobacterium
tumefaciens is described in NatBio 22 (2004), 807-10. China
is commercializing GM rice, NatBio
22 (2004), 642. New Zealand HortResearch institute has made about 100,000 apple gene sequences public, AgraFood Biotech 127 (7 June 2004),20.
Plants with
higher levels of vitamin E have been made, TIBTECH 22 (2004), 104-7. A pollen free tree to avoid
allergies has been made, AgraFood Biotech 127 (26 April 2004), 25. Metabolic engineering of ketocarotenoid
formation in higher plants is described in The Plant J. 39 (2004), 477-486; and on engineering of folate
levels, AgraFood Biotech 126 (13
April 2004), 29. Use of plants for biofuels is criticized in TIBTECH 22 (2004), 67-71, 211-2. Ethanol-inducible gene
expression has been developed, TIPS
9 (2004), 159-61.
Genetic Engineering of Animals
Isolation
of pancreatic precursor cells from mice have been reported, NatBio 22 (2004), 1115+. The expression of a single gene,
vasopressin V1a receptor in moles has enhanced partner preference in a promiscuous species, Nature 429 (2004), 754-6; Nature Reviews – Genetics 5 (2004), 560. Serial targeting of cow genes is
reported in NatGen 36 (2004),
671-2; and on transgenic
livestock, TIBTECH 22 (2004),
157-60. A fatherless mouse has been made, NatMed. 10 (2004), 559. The kangaroo genome will be
sequenced, following the opossum genome completed last year, Nature 429 (2004), 692. Domestic donkeys were bred from wild
African asses, NS (26 June 2004),
14, Trout born from surrogate salmon fathers have been born, NS (7 Aug. 2004), 11.
Genetically
engineered mice that can run
double the normal distance have been
made, NS (28 Aug. 2004), 12. The
gene was PPAR-delta which helps burn fat. Enhanced leptin sensitivity and attenuation of diet is found in mice
with a haploinsufficiency of the gene Socs3, NatMed. 10 (2004), 734+. A public gene trap resource for mice is described in NatGen 36 (2004), 543-4. On mouse models of visual deficits,
NatMed. 10 (2004), 663; and on
mice for cancer therapy modeling, NatMed. 10 (2004), 579-80; and for pharmacogenetic studies, Nature Reviews
Genetics 5 (2004), 657-8; 564, 565. A
4 year old mouse, equivalent to 136 years in humans, was made by GE, with a
mutation in Pit1 gene, NatGen 36
(2004), 555; whereas BubR1 insufficiency leads to aging, NatGen 36 (2004), 744-9. A book review of Making Mice:
Standardizing Animals for American Biomedical Research, 1900-1955 is in Nature 431 (2004), 22. Even large deletions of the mouse
genome can lead to live mice, NS
(5 June 2004), 18.
Designer Molecules
Engineering
of fungal compounds for biosynthesis is discussed in NatBio 22 (2004), 848-55. Nanotechnology drug delivery devices are discussed in Economist (5 June 2004), 71. Also on nanotechnology, Biotechnology
News (4 June 2004), 4-7. Aptamers are
reviewed in NatBio 22 (2004),
649-51.
Biotechnology
& the Public
Discussion
of popular culture, movies and
biotechnology images is in GeneWatch
17 (July 2004), 3-5; Nature 431
(2004), 720-2. Also on media and biotechnology hype, Health Law Review 12 (No.2, 2004), 53-61; CMAJ 170 (2004), 1399-407, 1415-6; and on media and
medicine, Croatian Medical Journal
45 (2004), 396-401. A website that analyzes media articles is www.mediadoctor.org.au;
BMJ 329 (2004), 178. Democracy in
science is discussed in Science
305 (2004), 1241-2. An article on the importance of public trust in the UK Biobank is TIBTECH
22 (2004), 284-5. The way the WHO uses the media for mass communication is
discussed in Int. J. Health Services
34 (2004), 15-24.
An article
discussing why persons are hostile to biotechnology is in Science 304 (2004), 1749; also, AgraFood Biotech 124 (15 March 2004), 103; 125 (29 March 2004), 5-7.
However still in the USA only 1% of consumers said their concerns about food
safety related to biotechnology, AgraFood Biotech 125 (29 March 2004),8. A farmer's group positive to
GM wheat is called Growers for Wheat Biotechnology Inc., AgraFood Biotech 129 (24 May 2004), 4. Risks and biotechnology are
discussed in Health law Journal 11
(2003),119-36; and on technophobes, NatBio 22 (2004), 945. The balancing of research risks against benefits are discussed in NatMed. 10 (2004), 570-3; and in medicine, BMJ 329 (2004), 6-7; Nursing Forum 39 (2004), 11-7. On social threats and the evolution
of paranoia, Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews 28 (2004), 333-42. Obituaries of Francis Crick include Lancet 364 (2004), 576; Nature
430 (2004), 597, 845-7. On biotechnology as a religion, NatBio 22 (2004), 659-60. Public policy and biotechnology is
discussed in Current Opinion in Biotechnology 15 (2004), 237-40, 258-63.
A paper on nanotechnology and humanity is in National Catholic Bioethics
Quarterly 4 (2004), 335-66. The
dangers of nanotechnology are discussed in Nature 430 (2004), 599; NS (7 Aug. 2004), 5. The UK Royal Academy released a
report on 29 July 2004. A book
review of Human-Built World is Science 305 (2004), 1568-9.
The role of
science postdocs in teaching is discussed in Nature 430 (2004), 286-7. A report from a UNESCO science
education conference in the USA is in Science 304 (2004), 1921. A report from a European science
festival is in Science 305 (2004),
1387. A study on the ethics of medical students is JME 30 (2004), 221-6. There are few studies evaluating the impact of education, Science 304 (2004), 1583. A review of the Marian Koshland
Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington DC is in Science 305 (2004), 1108-9. Art in the scientific revolution
is discussed in Science 304 (2004),
1600-1.
A computer
model has supported ideas of Noah's
flood, Nature 430 (2004), 718-9. A
paper defending intelligent design is in Proceedings of the Biological
Society of Washington117 (2004),
2139-39; Nature 431 (2004), 114.
Regulation & Field Trials of GMOs
A report
criticizing non-food GM crops has
been made by GeneWatch UK, AgraFood Biotech 127 (26 April 2004), 8. The question of whether there
are drugs in Mexican GM crops is raised in NatBio 22 (2004), 803. Bt cotton is expanding in China, AgraFood Biotech 129 (24 May 2004), 8. There are concerns that the
combination of Bt and herbicide tolerance may lead to longer persistence of
herbicides in the soil, NS (21
Aug. 2004), 18.The presence of Bt toxin genes in USmaize refuges is reported in
AgraFood Biotech 129 (24 May
2004), 26. In Germany farmers are
lukewarm in support for Bt maize because the European corn borer is not so
common, AgraFood Biotech 130 (7
June 2004), 2. The UK has a single list of approved GM crops, NS (19 June 2004), 45.
A summary
of concerns in Japan over the regulation of GM crops is Watanabe, KN. et al.
"Japanese controversies over
transgenic crop regulation", Science 305 (2004), 1572. Some local prefectures are considering bans on GM
crops, NatBio 22 (2004), 943. The
regulations on rDNA in Japan are criticized as being too restrictive in NatMed. 10 (2004), 557. India may need a stronger GMO
regulatory body, Science 304
(2004), 1579. The Cartegena Protocol is discussed in NatBio 22 (2004), 811-2. The need for sharing benefits of
biotechnology in developing countries is stressed in FAO's report, State of
Food and Agriculture 2003-2004, SA (Aug. 2004), 3; Food Chemical News (24 May 2004), 7-8; also in a UN report, Nature 430 (2004), 5; NS (3 July 2004), 3; and a PAHO report, AgraFood
Biotech 121 (2 Feb. 2004), 4. The
precautionary principle is discussed in European Voice (10 June 2004), 8; (17 June 2004), 26.
Reviews of
issues in the safety of GM crops include Heinemann, JA. & Traavik, T.
"Problems in monitoring horizontal gene transfer in field trials of transgenic plants", NatBio 22 (2004), 1105-9; Nielsen, KM. & Townsend, JP.
"Monioring and modeling horizontal gene transfer", NatBio 22 (2004), 1110-4; 1076. A study of the functions of
genes that are horizontally transferred in prokaryotes is NatGen 36 (2004), 760-6. Host-parasite gene transfer in
flowering plants is reported in Science 305 (2004), 334-5, 676-8. A study on the growth and competitive
ability of a transgenic Trifolium subterraneum species is Hereditas 140 (2004), 229-44. On invasive species, Science 305 (2004), 1100-1. On Argentinian experiments on GM
crops, NS (3 July 2004), 47. The
EU has approved Syngenta's Bt11 corn which is also grown in Argentina, Food Chemical News (31 May 2004), 7. The development of local GM crops
is discussed in NatBio 22 (2004),
1055. Proposed changes to the US review of GMOs are discussed in Food
Chemical News (21 June 2004), 8-9.
The USDA has said there will be less secrecy in biopharm oversight, Food
Chemical News (7 June 2004), 7-8.
A review on
genetic control of mosquitoes and
malaria control is EMBO Reports 5
(2004), 847-50. A study suggesting GM mosquitoes are less fit is in PNAS 101 (Jan. 2004); AgraFood Biotech 121 (2 Feb 2004), 25. Concerns over the seven times
larger size of GM salmon are
discussed in PNAS 101 (7 June
2004); SA (Aug. 2004), 16; NatBio 22 (2004), 831. The use of media and TV drama to
reduce pesticide use in Vietnam
and Laos is described in Nature
430 (2004), 284. On ecogenomics, Science 305 (2004), 618-9.
Biodefense research is questioned in GeneWatch 17 (May 2004), 12-14. The ethics of bioterrorism research is discussed in BME 198 (May 2004),
13-20. An artist in the USA who obtained bacteria in the post has had charges
reduced from bioterror to mail fraud, Nature 429 (2004), 690; 430 (2004), 130. Attempts by Drosophila
researchers to allow mailing of live fruitflies legally are being made, Nature 429 (2004), 791.
A
review of several US state laws on bioterror is AJPH 94 (2004), 1093-102; see also, Science 305 (2004), 768-9. A book review of The
Anthrax Letters is JAMA 292 (21 July 2004); and of Spores,
Plagues and History: The Story of Anthrax, Lancet 364 (2004), 239-40. A rapid anthrax test has been approved by the
US FDA, JAMA 292
(2004), 30; and on vaccine development and production, NatBio 22 (2004), 792. A liquid crystal test for anthrax is discussed in NS (12 June 2004), 22. Posttraumatic stress
among survivors of bioterrorism is discussed in JAMA 292 (2004), 566. In general on bioterror
research, JAMA 291 (2004),
2933; Lancet 364
(2004), 393-4, 449-52; Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause 2 (June 2004); Nature
429 (2004), 603; 430 (2004), 388, 822; 431 (2004), 17; Science 304 (2004), 1726-7; 305 (2004), 1228-9; Food
Chemical News (21 June 2004), 10-1. The dangers of crossing avian and human flu viruses is
debated in Science 305 (2004), 594-5.
Protests again a biosafety lab in Montana is ongoing, Science 305 (2004), 1088. The public policy decisions for approval
of smallpox vaccine research are discussed in AJPH 94 (2004), 943-7.
Vaccines & Diseases
On the ethics of infectious disease,
Smith, CB. et al. "Are there characteristics of infectious diseases that
raise special ethical issues?", Bioethics (2004), 1-16; and on emerging diseases, Nature 431 (2004), 242-9; Lancet 364 (2004), 380-3. Eco-bio-social research on dengue is discussed in TDR News 72 (June 2004), 9. Dengue is expected to emerge in
Arizona, USA, Nature 430 (2004),
392. The promise of GM mosquito
approaches for malaria control is discussed in Nature 430 (2004), 936. Preventing malaria in travelers is discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 305-6; also on malaria control, Lancet 364 (2004), 285-94, 389-90; BMJ 328 (2004), 1511-2; Nature 429 (2004), 588; 430 (2004), 838-9, 900-4, 923-44; Science 304 (2004), 1744. On mefloquine resistance and pfmdr1
gene copy number, Lancet 364
(2004), 438-47; also, Current Biology
14 (2004), R552-3; Science 305
(2004), 1124; Lancet 363 (2004),
1838-9. Insecticide resistance genes confer a predation cost on Culex
pipiens mosquitoes, Genetical Research 83 (2004), 189-96. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic
Pollutants came into force on 17 may 2004 but allows exceptional uses of DDT
for malaria treatment, Bulletin WHO
82 (2004), 472-3.
West Nile virus encephalomyelitis in
transplant recipients is reported in Archives Neurology 61 (2004), 1210-20. West Nile virus has reached the
West USA killing wildlife, BioScience
54 (2004), 379, 393-402. Mass treatment with ivermectin can reduce parasitic
diseases, Bulletin WHO 82 (2004),
563-71. Discussion of whether the Chagas parasite enters our genes is in NS (7 Aug. 2004), 9. A book review of The Discovery
of the Germ is BMJ 329 (2004), 57. Exotic plants may contain new
diseases, NS (5 June 2004), 5. The
US BIO has launched a BIO Ventures for Global Health plan to help combat
infectious diseases, NatBio 22
(2004), 927. Book reviews on Plague are in Nature 430 (2004), 145-6.
Therapeutic vaccines for chronic infections are reviewed in Science 305 (2004), 205-8. DNA vaccines are reviewed in NatBio 22 (2004), 799-801. Non-parenteral vaccines have not
been as successful as they were expected to be, BMJ 329 (2004), 62-3; and on pentavalent vaccines, BMJ 329 (2004), 411-2. Live flavivirus vaccines may be
dangerous, Lancet 363 (2004),
2073-5. The contagiousness of Varicella cases is reduced when people are
vaccinated, JAMA 292 (2004),
704-8. A small transient increase in risk of febrile seizure is found after MMR
vaccination, JAMA 292 (2004),
351-7. Vaccine risk perception and
autism is surveyed in AJPH 94
(2004), 990-5. WHO is warning of a polio epidemic in Africa, BMJ
328 (2004), 1513; 329 (2004), 365; Lancet 363 (2004), 1876, 1912; Science 304 (2004), 1903; 305 (2004), 24-5. Nigeria resumed polio
vaccinations, Nature 430 (2004),
600. Polio vaccine prior to 1963 may have contained SV40 virus, NS (10 July 2004), 6-7: Lancet 364 (2004), 407-8. The UK
has a five in one vaccine for babies now, BMJ 329 (2004), 365. In general on vaccines, AJPH 94 (2004), 910, 914-7, 947-50. Immunization laws
increase coverage, AJPH 94 (2004),
978-84; but there are increasing differences in ethnic and racial differences
in immunization in the USA, AJPH
94 (2004), 973-7. The global vaccination gap is greater, Science 305 (2004), 147. Measles is still endemic in Japan, Lancet 364 (2004), 328-9.
Avian influenza is discussed in MJA 181 (2004), 62-3; Nature 430 (2004), 4; NS (10 July 2004), 5; (21 Aug. 2004), 5; Science 305 (2004), 321. It has found new mammalian hosts
including tiger, Science 305
(2004), 1385; and
become more pathogenic, JAMA 292 (2004), 794.
Some Thai farmers are using black market vaccines against bird flu, Nature 431 (2004), 6. Much bird flu data may be in Chinese
language journals, Nature 430
(2004), 955. On fears of disease infection from dead bodies, JAMA 292 (2004), 323. Leprosy treatment is discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 1447-8; CMAJ 170 (2004), 55-62. On global influenza and the chance of
the next pandemic, BMJ 328 (2004),
1391-2; Science 305 (2004), 323-6.
Brazilian researchers have sequenced the genome of leptospirosis-causing bacterium, Brazilian J. Med. & Biological
Research 37 (2004), 459-77; Bulletin
WHO 82 (2004), 471.
The ethics of SARS is discussed in Hsin, DHC. & Macer, DRJ.,
"Heroes of SARS: professional roles and ethics of health care workers", J. Infection 49 (2004), 210-5. A report from Toronto is Nickell, LA. et al.
"Psychosocial effects of SARS on hospital staff: Survey of a large
tertiary care institution", CMAJ 170 (2004), 793-8. On the impact of SARS on
professionalism in Toronto, BMJ 329 (2004), 83-5. A vectored mucosal vaccine may be useful against SARS based on a African green monkey study, Lancet 363 (2004), 2102, 2122-7; and a monoclonal antibody
approach was tested in Lancet 363
(2004), 2139-41. The virulence of
SARS is changing, Bulletin WHO 82
(2004), 547+. Frontal chest X-rays have prognostic value in SARS, Amer. J.
Med. 117 (2004), 249-54; CMAJ 170 (2004), 47, 63. A book on SARS is in BMJ 329 (2004), 116; and on lessons from SARS, NEJM 350 (2004), 2332-4. The Chinese Dr. Jiang who
uncovered the Chinese SARS epidemic has been imprisoned for his ideas about
Tiananmen Square incident, NS (10
July 2004), 3; also the director of the Chinese CDC has resigned over SARS, Science 305 (2004), 163; Bulletin WHO 82 (2004), 470.
Chinese success in TB
control is discussed in Lancet 364
(2004), 391-2, 417-22. Detention
for TB control is discussed in MJA
180 (2004), 573-6.
Non-inherited resistance to antibiotics is discussed in Science 305 (2004), 1578-9. MRSA infections in the UK rose by
5% between 2003 and 2004, BMJ 329
(2004), 131. The genome of MRSA suggests it can develop more resistance also, Nature 430 (2004), 126. Regulatory challenges in microbicide
development are discussed in Science
304 (2004), 1911-2.
There may be continued infection of
CJD by prions in the blood supply, Nature 430 (2004), 712. The BSE cases in the USA are discussed in NS (3 July 2004), 5; (17 July 2004), 5; (7 Aug. 2004),
33-42. CJD is still incurable, NS
(7 Aug. 2004), 12-3. Lamarkism and prion disease is discussed in NS (21 Aug. 2004), 13. Synthetic prions have been made, Science 305 (2004), 589, 673-6.
AIDS & Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Legal
barriers to universal pediatric HIV testing are reviewed in J. Law, Medicine & Ethics 31 (Spring 2004), 137-47. Voluntary HIV testing is
part of routine medical care in Massachusetts, JAMA 292 (2004), 678-9. HIV disclosure is discussed in
JAMA 292 (2004), 277-8. Antenatal HIV screening is discussed in MJA 181 (2004), 124-5; JAMA 292 (2004), 219-23. Ideas on self and risk among
persons infected with hepatitis C are reported in SSM 59 (2004), 1461-71. Sexual activity on holidays is a
risk factor for diseases, BMJ 329
(2004), 214-7. STDs continue to increase, BMJ 329 (2004), 249. HIV has jumped between primates and
people a few times and bushmeat is one source, NS (7 Aug. 2004), 8.
On
HIV in Malawi and ethics, Nursing
Ethics 11 (2004), 479-88; Croatian
Medical Journal 45 (2004), 415-21;
and in Kenya, JAMA 292 (2004),
157-9. Unsafe sexual practices are common in the USA, BMJ 329 (2004), 10.
On condoms and prevention of HIV, BMJ 329 (2004), 185-6. Prisons are also sources of HIV
contamination, Lancet 364 (2004),
317-8. On the AIDS pandemic, JAMA 292 (2004), 276-7; BMJ 329 (2004), 67, 127; NatMed. 10 (2004), 637, 761; Lancet 363 (2004), 2180-5; Nature 430 (2004), 133-40; Science 304 (2004), 1931-8; 305 (2004), 1243-4. AIDS was a
major discussion point at the 57th World Health Assembly at WHO, JAMA 292 (2004), 27-8. Reeducation of police in Yunnan Province, China to help HIV
is reported in Lancet 363 (2004),
1964; see also BMJ 329 (2004),
121-2.
The
economic consequences for parents of losing an adult child to AIDS in Thailand
is reported in SSM 59 (2004),
987-1001. Narratives of Thai family caregivers with persons with AIDS are in SSM 59 (2004), 1003-10. HIV infection impairs malaria
parasite immunity, Lancet 363
(2004), 1860-7. Blood donations still need to be made safer, Lancet 363 (2004), 2060. On dhandha, dharma and HIV in
India, SSM 59 (2004),851-60. On
ART in HIV serodiscordant couples, Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause 2 (2004), 92+.
The
G8 is supporting a vaccine
initiative against AIDS, Lancet
363 (2004), 2055; NatMed. 10
(2004), 658; NS (17 July 2004), 3.
On the price and use of AIDS drugs, Nature 429 (2004), 493; 430 (2004), 279, 389, 715-6; NatMed. 10 (2004), 759; BMJ 329 (2004), 129; JAMA 292 (2004), 202-9, 252-65, 266+; Lancet 363 (2004), 1878, 2062, 2147; 364 (2004), 3-4, 63-4; Science 304 (2004), 1875. On the US bilateral funding of AIDS
drugs in 15 nations, Lancet 364
(2004), 303-4. HIV positive asylum
seekers are discussed in BMJ 329
(2004), 322-3. On HIV vaccines, NatMed. 10 (2004), 769-71; BMJ
329 (2004), 454-6; Science 304
(2004), 1909-10, 1913-4; 305
(2004), 177-80, 1545-6. Genetic resistance to HIV is discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 2103-4, 2137-9; NatGen 36 (2004), 565-74. Controversy over a proposed AIDS
drug study in Cambodia is discussed in Science 305 (2004), 1092.
Microbes
& Pollution Remedies
A system of
ex planta phytoremediation of chemicals through chemicals secreted from the
roots is described in NatBio 22
(2004), 893-7. Beetle based sensors may improve the advance warning of forest
fires, NS (7 Aug. 2004), 20. On
the degradation of PCBs to highly toxic metabolites and bioactivation of xenobiotics
is reported in Environmental Microbiology 6 (2004), 842-50. The role of a metal-reducing bacteria in arsenic
release from Bengal delta sediments is discussed in Nature 430 (2004), 68-71.
Environmental Issues
The health
benefits of greenery for people have been confirmed in a Dutch study, Network
#2, 19 (August 2004), 37-9 (also
online, www.healthcouncil.nl). Moral values and arts in environmental education
are discussed in J. Philosophy of Education 38 (No. 2, 2004), 221-40. Environmental responsibility versus taxation is debated in Ecological Economics 49 (2004), 129-34. On ecology for a crowded planet, Science 304 (2004), 1251-2. Papers on the environment, public
health and the protection of future generations in law are in AJLM 30 (2004), 115-404. A book review on the history of
the environment in China is in Nature 430 (2004), 505-6.
The increasing proportion of global
pollution caused by air traffic is
discussed in NS (17 July 2004),
45. Renewable power is important even on a small scale, NS (3 July 2004), 18-9; (17 July 2004), 6-7. On methane
cycles, PNAS 101 (2004), 12400-1.
An ecological footprint of human consumption is discussed in NS (26 June 2004), 9. Also on consumption, Science 305 (2004), 947-8. Burial of carbon dioxide under the
sea is considered in NS (17 July
2004), 16; and on the fate of industrial carbon dioxide in the oceans, Science
305 (2004), 352-3, 362-6, 367-71. The thermohaline circulation in the oceans is
discussed in Science 303 (2004),
35; 305 (2004), 953-4. On iron in the oceans and phytoplankton growth, Science 304 (2004), 396-7. China has
decided to treble the number of coal-fired power stations by 2020, NS (10 July 2004), 45. The debate over the proposed wind
turbines on top of the new World Trade center in New York is discussed in Nature 430 (2004), 12-3. A study of climate change in
California is in PNAS 101 (2004),
12422-7; Nature 430 (2004), 818.
In general on climate change, Science 302 (2003), 2040-1; 304 (2004), 685-6, 1565; 305
(2004), 616-7; Nature 429 (2004),
605-6; 430 (2004), 15, 725-6; 431 (2004), 1. The Kyoto Protocol is debated in Ethics & International Affairs 18 (2004), 23+; Nature 431 (2004), 12-3. A race car completed the 24 hour Le
mans race powered by bioethanol, NS
(19 June 2004), 19. However, the EU is lagging behind targets for biofuel use, AgraEurope (28 May 2004), 4-5; according to the EC. Methane
production in soil using genomic techniques is measured in Science 305 (2004), 59-62. On the price of oil, Nature 430 (2004), 694-5; SA (Aug. 2004), 17; NatBio 22 (2004), 1077. Also on ethanol use, Science 305 (2004), 340. The hydrogen economy is discussed in
Science 305 (2004), 917, 957-80.
Carbon dioxide elicits a long-term decline in nitrogen fixation, Science 304 (2004), 1291; also on nitrogen, Science 302 (2003), 1512-3.
Climate change is being blamed for
increased diseases, NS (19 June 2004), 8-9; Lancet 363 (2004), 2032-9; Bulletin WHO 82 (2004), 481. A book review of The Ethics of
Environmentally Responsible Health Care
is in Lancet 363 (2004), 2005-6.
On agriculture, pesticides and the environment, Agricultural Economics 31 (2004), 17-32. Reducing dependence upon pesticides
in farmers in India has advantages, Ecological Economics 49 (2004), 149-62. Nitrogen sensors in crops can
reduce fertilizer runoff, NS (28
Aug. 2004), 21. The environmental
impacts of the Japanese beef fattening system are assessed in J. Animal
Science 82 (2004), 2115-22. Health promotion and sustainable
development are discussed in BMJ
328 (2004), 1450-1. On sustainability, MJA 180 (2004), 556-7. Health risks of PCBs are still not fully known, JAMA 292 (2004), 793. Unhealthy environments are a major
threat to young children, Bulletin WHO 82 (2004), 558.
Water shortages are discussed in NS (24 July 2004), 56-7; (21 Aug. 2004), 3; (28 Aug.
2004), 8; Nature 430 (2004), 723; JAMA 292 (2004), 318-20; BMJ 329 (2004), 3-4. A flame retardant, deca-BDE has been
detected in the Arctic, NS (12
June 2004), 10-1. Israel has planned to build a large desalinization plant for supply of water to the West bank, NS (29 May 2004), 3, 6-7. Desalinization is considered
in other regions also, NS (10 July
2004), 22. Global freshwater resources are discussed in Science 302 (2003), 1524-31. Arsenic poisoning is worldwide in water, SA (Aug. 2004), 70-5; and there are still gaps in
awareness of the contamination of water in rural residents in Bangladesh, SSM 59 (2004), 1741-55. . Ocean protection is
discussed in SA (Aug. 2004), 15.
An interview with a worker who
survived the Chernobyl accident is in NS (21 August 2004), 44-7. Thyroid cancer has increased 12-fold in women
since Chernobyl, BMJ 328 (12 June
2004). A book review of Three Mile Island is Science 305 (2004),
181-2. Japan has suffered its worst ever nuclear accident in August at Mihama nuclear power plant, NS (14 August 2004), 4-5. Nuclear double standards that
allow some countries to keep nuclear weapons are questioned in NS (10 July 2004), 17. The UN may play a larger role in
weapons control, Nature 430
(2004), 6. MOX litigation around
Sellafield is described in ICLQ 52
(2004), 643-76. John Kerry plans
to stop the Yucca mountain nuclear repository, Nature 430 (2004), 820. There is uncertainty over the safe
standards for mercury emissions, Science 303 (2004), 34. A book review on the environmental
pollution and renewal of Pittsburgh is in Science 304 (2004), 392; and on the Chinese landscape, Science 304 (2004), 391-2. On US air pollution rules, BMJ 329 (2004), 72.
Biomonitoring can be performed at the
personal level to assess our exposure to chemicals, Science 304 (2004), 1892-4. Air pollution damages DNA before
birth, NS (3 July 2004), 14; Environmental
Health Perspectives DOI:
10.1289/ehp.7065). Soil ecology is reviewed in Science 304 (2004), 1613-40. A ten year change in sea
temperature by emissions from a power station cooling water led to changes in
the marine benthic community, Ecology
85 (2004), 1833-9.
Biodiversity
The
importance of preserving animal genetic diversity is discussed in NS
(10 July 2004), 45; Nature 429
(2004), 967-8. Conservation genetics is discussed in Nature Genetics –
Reviews 5 (2004), 702+. It is
difficult to find valuable products in nature, Nature 429 (2004), 585, 598-600. Forest biodiversity and
economics of timer industry are discussed in Ecological Economics 49 (2004), 135-48. A denial that cutting trees leads
to flooding is in NS (19 June
2004), 18. The role of asteroids in mass extinctions is discussed in Science 302 (2003), 1314-6; NS (5 June 2004), 20. The three gorges plan may be a
risk to ancient fish, Science 302
(2003), 1149-51. Increased biodiversity could lead to greater parasite
diversity, which might work against preservation, NS (5 June 2004), 14. High iron may cause anemia in
black rhinos which leads to many deaths, NS (31 July 2004), 12. On soils and agriculture in
precontact Hawaii, Science 304
(2004), 1665-9.
Plankton
diversity is discussed in Nature
431 (2004), 813-4; Science 305
(2004), 1548. The decline of coral reefs is discussed in Nature 429 (2004), 827-33. A system using electric current may
help cure coral reefs, Science 305
(2004), 1398. Sportfishers may help decline of fish stocks, Science 305 (2004), 1235. A web site with fish catch data is
searoundus.org. Exotic predatory fish from fish tanks can harm wild fish, NS (3 July 2004), 13. Drilling into an Antarctic lake is
discussed in NS (7 Aug. 2004),
6-7. Whales are indicators of the toxic chemicals in the ocean, Science 304 (2004), 1584-6. Ecosystem-based fishery
management is discussed in Science
305 (2004), 346-7.
Poaching of
elephants continues, NS (7 Aug. 2004), 45; (28 Aug. 2004), 16-7. Extinction
is discussed in Science 305
(2004), 1632-4; Nature 430 (2004),
385; and speciation in Science 305
(2004), 612-3. Tiger salamanders is discussed in Science 305 (2004), 1554. The benefits of a global
biodiversity information facility are discussed in BioScience 54 (2004), 485-6. Freezing DNA and cells from animal species as a bank for future use in
cloning if the species become extinct is being implemented in London, NS (31 July 2004), 5; Science 305 (2004), 603. Improving the status of
invertebrates is discussed in BioScience 54 (2004), 487-94. Searching for alien messages is discussed in NS (7 Aug. 2004), 30-1. The possible origin of life in
space is discussed in NS (21 Aug.
2004), 17.
Animal Rights
A book
considering the history of relationships to animals is Henninger-Voss, MJ. Animals
in Human Histories. The Mirror of Nature and Culture (University of Rochester Press, 2002; ISBN
1-58046-121-2). A paper with
discussion of the theory of human rights applied to mythical beasts is in Law
Quarterly Review 120 (2004), 428+.
The UK has increased action against animal rights activists, Current Biology 14 (2004), R635-6; NatBio 22 (2004), 935; Science 305 (2004), 761; Nature 430 (2004), 399, 597; 431 (2004), 125; as has Russia, Science 304 (2004), 1900. Poor record keeping on animal
experimental approvals at some Japanese institutions has been found, Nature 430 (2004), 714; and there are also problems in
Israel, Nature 430 (2004), 129.
There have been allegations of abuse of primates in Columbia University, NatMed. 10 (2004), 558. On animal welfare in laboratories, SA (August 2004), 80-1. Painkilling drugs are discussed
in Science 305 (2004), 325-9.
Protests in
Spain have derailed plans for building a European chimp home, Science 305 (2004), 1227. Reducing animal experiments is
discussed in NS (7 August 2004),
3. There is a reported shortage of primates for scientists to do research on, NS (21 Aug. 2004), 6-7; Nature 430 (2004), 958. Loss of forest makes monkeys sick, Science 305 (2004), 1230-1.The genomics of the chimpanzee versus human genomes are compared
in Science 304 (2004), 1590; 305
(2004), 191-2; JAMA 292 (2004),
28-9. A book review about why only 30,000 genes works is Science 304 (2004), 1601-2. In Chicago zoo chimps can blow
air at spectators in an interactive display, Science 305 (2004), 337.
The costs
of bushmeat to endangered species is discussed in www.bushmeat.org/r_a.html, Science 304 (2004), 1883. The question of whether humans are
born to be cannibals or not is
discussed in NS (10 July 2004),
30-33. There are many dangers of persons eating meat, NS (14 Aug. 2004), 42-5. Commercial whaling
is discussed in NS (31 July 2004),
6-7. Whales may be washed ashore with cold water signals, NS (17 July 2004), 12. Blue whales have been detected
returning to Alaska, Nature 430
(2004), 496. Inside pods of dolphins some are the most social, NS (14 Aug. 2004), 12. The loss of endangered porpoises
in nets is a concern, Nature 429
(2004), 590. On elephant communication, NS (19 June 2004), 15. Ocean noise may damage fish as well as mammals, Nature 430 (2004), 291. Developmental plasticity is
discussed in Nature 430 (2004),
419-21.
Brain function
A paper on
new neuroscience technologies is Farah, MJ. & Wolpe, PR., "Monitoring
and manipulating brain function", HCR 34 (May 2004), 35-45. The privacy of minds is discussed in NS
(31 July 2004), 38-41. Neuromarketers can manipulate consumer desires, NS (31 July 2004), 36-7. On the pros and cons of
intelligence are discussed in NS
(17 July 2004), 34-7. A book review of The First Idea: How Symbols,
Language, and Intelligence Evolved From Our Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans is Nature
431 (2004), 127-8. The concept of biological abnormality of impaired reading is
constrained by culture, Nature 431
(2004), 71-6.
Animal
minds and the features of different
species that human associate them with are discussed in NS (12 June 2004), 41-53. The question of whether birds
are psychic is discussed in NS (26
June 2004), 48-9. The social rank in binyon jays is found to be determined by
reason, Nature 430 (2004), 732-3.
Birds have been found able to judge relationships between members of the same
species, Nature 430 (2004), 414.
The way that the mind pictures places is discussed in Science 305 (2004), 1245-6. The way second language words are
learnt is discussed in Nature Neuroscience 7 (2004), 703-4. Fast mapping of words in a dog who has a vocabulary of 200 words is reported in Science 304 (2004), 1605-6, 1682-33; NS (19 June 2004), 16. Cognitive imitation in rhesus
macaques is discussed in Science
305 (2004), 407-10; and on intent, Science 305 (2004), 162. An Amazon tribe, Piraha, has been found not to think
of more than the number 3, Science
305 (2004), 1093. The use of gestures in communication is discussed in Nature 429 (2004), 606-7. On body ownership in the brain, Science 305 (2004), 782-3.
On revenge
and altruistic punishment, Science 305 (2004), 1246-7, 1254-8. The role of the u-opioid
receptor in mice love (actually in
regret at the disappearance of their mother) is revealed in Science 304 (2004), 1888-9, 1983-6. On attachment, Nature 429 (2004), 705. A mind-altering drug may be part of
shamistic rituals, NS (26 June
2004), 42-3. Mind-reading is discussed in NS (31 July 2004), 3. Consciousness is discussed in Nature Neuroscience 7 (2004), 565; Nature 429 (2004), 701-703; 430 (2004), 21, 148; NS (28 Aug. 2004), 13; and beauty in Science 305 (2004), 779-80. Music
studies raise people's IQ, NS (28
July 2004), 18. A book review of Soul Made Flesh is in Nature Neuroscience 7 (2004), 685. Searching for ET life and SETI calculations for contact with aliens are discussed in
NS (24 July 2004), 24. Polygraphs
may not be reliable, NS (14 Aug
2004), 17. Memory can be improved,
Wang, H. et al. "Over-expression of type-1 adenlyl cyclase in mouse
forebrain enhances recognition memory and LTP", Nature Neuroscience 7 (2004), 635-42. Inside the brain there is a sensory
signal to distinguish true from false memories, Nature Neuroscience 7 (2004), 664-72. Tags can be useful for the
forgetful, NS (14 Aug. 2004), 19.
Safety of Recombinant DNA Products
The safety
of recombinant human insulin is discussed in GeneWatch 17 (May 2004), 11-12. The use of VGEF to stimulate
learning is another use in addition to angiogenesis, and creation of new
neurons, NatGen 36 (2004), 792-3.
The cost effectiveness of peg-interferon alpha formulations for hepatitis C
treatment is compared in Pharmacoeconomics 22 (2004), 477-9.
A review is
Conrad, P. & Potter, D. "Human growth hormone and the temptations of
biomedical enhancement", Sociology
of Health & Illness 26 (2004),
184-215. On growth hormone
deficiency a review is Lancet 363
(2004), 1977-87. The use of growth hormone releasing hormone in HIV-infected
men with lipodystophy is discussed in JAMA 292 (2004), 210-8. Growth hormone therapy and quality of life is
discussed in Pharmacoeconomics 22
(2004), 499-524. Some receptors for growth hormone have greater responsiveness,
NatGen 36 (2004), 720-4. Injection
of recombinant human type VII collagen restores collagen function in dystrophic
epidermolysis bullosa, NatMed. 10
(2004), 693-6.
A review on
the marketing of therapeutic recombinant proteins to 2010 is in J.
Commercial Biotechnology 10 (2004),
363-6. The safety of a recombinant multivalent group A streptococcal vaccine in
healthy adults is discussed in JAMA
292 (2004), 709-15. The withdrawal of genasense for melanoma is criticized in NatBio 22 (2004), 788-9.
Food safety
There are
only a few papers actually published on the health safety of GM foods, Pryme
& Lembcke, Nutrition and Health
(2003); www.soilassociation.org. Consumer fears are discussed in Bratspies, RM.
"Consuming (F)ears of corn: Public health and biopharming", AJLM 30 (2004), 371-404. The US NAS suggests testing all
GM foods no matter how they are made for unintended effects, NatBio 22 (2004), 1062. On the science of biotechnology and
global politics of regulation, Issues in S&T (Fall 2000), 47-54. The future of GM food in the
world is discussed in NS (7 Aug.
2004). Since April 2004 the EU has had the latest regulations on GM food and
feed, AgraFood Biotech 127 (26
April 2004), 1. However there is still debate over the seeds threshold for GM
seeds because of the costs and sampling, between 0.3% to 0.5%, Food Chemical
News (14 June 2004), 9-10; (28 June
2004), 5-6. The Codex Alimentarius task force on novel foods produced from
biotechnology is expected to be revived but it is unclear whether it will work
on guidelines for food safety from transgenic animals, Food Chemical News (31 May 2004), 12-3. On the FAO report on the State
of Food and Agriculture 2003-2004, AgraFood Biotech 129 (24 May 2004), 2; also Nature 430 (2004), 5. Some do not want the WTO to enter the
GM debate, AgraFood Biotech 130 (7
June 2004), 5.
Obesity and
sugar-sweetened drinks in children are discussed in JAMA 292 (2004), 927-34, 978-9; BMJ 329 (2004), 54; MJA 181 (2004), 82-5. In general on obesity, JAMA
291 (2004), 2828-33, 2847-50, 2978, 3011-2; BMJ 328 (2004), 1327-8; NS (17 July 2004), 42-5; Science 304 (2004), 1413; 305 (2004), 158-9; Lancet 363 (2004), 1775; Annals of Oncology 15 (2004), 850-1. A media leak of the UK House of
Commons Select Committee report on obesity is criticized in BMJ 328 (2004), 1503. There were media confusion over the
death of a 3 year old child who suffered from a genetic condition, with false
claims that it was bad parenting. Genetic prediction of weight reduction under
sibutramine therapy by genes is reported in Pharmacogenetics 14 (2004), 387-9. Also on genetics of obesity, Pharmacogenetics 14 (2004), 419-27. Reduction of obesity by targeted
ablation of adipose tissue is discussed in NatMed. 10 (2004), 625-32, 581-2. Vitamin E is discussed in JAMA 292 (2004), 671-3, 828-36. Soya supplements do not
protect against postmenopausal changes, JAMA 292 (2004), 65-74; BMJ 329 (2004), 68. The Netherlands is advancing measures
to clean up diet supplements, Nature
429 (2004), 689. The sociocultural
context of women's body image is discussed in SSM 59 (2004), 1047-58. The stigma of obesity is discussed in NatMed. 10 (2004), 563-9.
Freshwater
fish is one source of a bacteria Lactibacter hongkongensis associated
with diarrhoea, Lancet 364 (2004),
1923, 1941-7. A criticism of the US magazine Consumer reports on food safety
and irradiation is in Nature 431
(2004), 117. The ability to live on meat is discussed in NS (29 May 2004), 50-1.
Disease Risks & Drugs
Regulation
of drug safety is discussed in Lancet
363 (2004), 2199; Nature 430
(2004), 401-2, 727-8; 431 (2004), 122-4; JAMA 292 (2004), 742-3; BMJ 329 (2004), 188; NatMed. 10 (2004), 773. The regulation of over-the-counter
drugs is discussed in BMJ 329
(2004), 182-3. The benefits and risks have to be balanced, BMJ 329 (2004), 1-5, 41-4. Adverse drug reaction detection
is discussed in BMJ 329 (2004),
44-7, 47-9.Papers from the 4th Kitasato University – Harvard School of
Public health Symposium on "Advanced and Global Drug Development
Techniques" are in Clinical Evaluation 31 Suppl. XX 2004, 329pp (in English and Japanese).
On drug marketing, NatMed. 10
(2004), 655. Electronic prescribing is being developed in the UK, BMJ 328 (2004), 1453. Drug trials in India are discussed
in SA (Aug. 2004), 14. The US is licensing some drugs made in
Cuba, NatBio 22 (2004), 1065. A discussion
of efforts to make Japan the safest country in the world are in Asia-Pacific
Perspectives Japan 2 (July 2004),
6-23.
Ethics of
traditional medicines are discussed in JME 30 (2004), 156-9. Regulation and development of alternative and complementary medicine is discussed in MJA 180 (2004), 585-9, 645-6, 647-8; Sociology of
Health & Illness 26
(2004),216-41. A book review of Principles of Medicine in Africa, 3rd edition, is in Lancet 364 (2004), 2197; see also a paper in EJAIB (Sept. 2004). Spirituality and QOL is discussed in Sexuality, Reproduction
& Menopause 2 (2004), (2004),
76-82; BMJ 329 (2004), 123-4. An Indian court case challenging a traditional Indian remedy is
described in BMJ 329 (2004), 1457.
A comparison of traditional healers' medicinal plant knowledge in the Bolian
Andes and Amazon is in SSM 59 (2004), 837-49. A plant mimic may be a cure for
malaria, NS (21 Aug. 2004), 15.
Medical acupuncture in Germany is reviewed in Sociology of Health &
Illness 26 (2004), 351-72.
On cultural
beliefs about medicines, SSM 59
(2004), 1307-13. Language use in public health is discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 2190-1. Hand washing could save millions
of lives, Bulletin WHO 82 (2004),
631-2. Cleanliness in Hospitals and MRSA infections are discussed in Lancet 364 (24 July 2004). Non-compliance with doctors
suggestions are discussed in Lancet
363 (2004), 2004. Asthma has been linked to antibiotics, NS (5 June 2004), 13. Lifestyle rather than genes may be
the main cause of myopia, NS (10
July 2004), 12. Pain killers may reduce male sex drive, NS (29 May 2004), 9. A book review of Aspirin is NS (7
Aug. 2004), 50.
The dangers
of working in the electronics industry and IBM is discussed in Science 305 (2004), 309, 340-1. Flame retardants accumulate in persons bodies,
Science 304 (2004), 1730. Noise from airports is discussed in Lancet 364 (2004), 646-8. Active noise can quieten noisy
environments, NS (29 May 2004),
22-3. Occupational safety and health programmes in Australia are assessed in Occupational
& Environmental Medicine 61
(2004), 651-60. Health impacts from clean up after 9/11 are discussed in JAMA 292 (2004), 914-5. On environmental hazards, Lancet 363 (2004), 2007. Some causes of death are modifiable
behavioural factors, JAMA 291
(2004), 2941-3. On ethics and public health in general, AJPH 94 (2004), 928-31. Long working hours are discussed
in JAMA 292 (2004), 25-6; SSM 59 (2004), 1719-30. Worker health and gender is
compared in SSM 59 (2004),
1287-95. Motor vehicle license renewals for older drivers are discussed in JAMA 291 (2004), 2840-6. In general on public health, Lancet 363 (2004), 2084-6; Amer. J. Med. 117 (2004), 219-27.
The policy
to allow over the counter statins
is debated in Greehealthwatch 7(2,
2004), 1-2; Lancet 364 (2004),
411-3; JAMA 292 (2004), 317-8.
Statin therapy appears safe in children with familial hypercholesterolemia, JAMA 292 (2004), 331-7, 377-8. On pharmacogenetics and safety, Nature Reviews – Genetics 5 (2004), 645-56; Science 304 (2004), 1458-60. Socioeconomic differences affect
participation in cancer screening participation, SSM 59 (2004), 249-61. The use of tamoxifen is discussed
in O&G 104 (2004), 431-2,
433-42. The dangers of medical radiation are discussed in MJA 180
(2004), 548-9; Lancet 363 (2004),
1908-11, 2192-3. No association between cellular telephones and salivary gland tumours was reported in Occup.
Environmental Medicine 61 (2004),
675-9.
Abuse of
drugs in sport is discussed in NS (14 August 2004), 3, 6-7; NatBio 22 (2004), 1069-71; Nature 430 (2004), 143-4, 602, 713; BMJ 329 (2004), 407; Science 305 (2004), 573. Lactic acid can also enhance
performance, Science 305 (2004),
112-3. The limit to physical exertion is in the brain not the body, NS (31 July 2004), 11. Athletes are on the edge of
normal physiology, Nature 430
(2004), 603. Mandatory drug
testing of high school athletes in USA is debated in Amer. J. Bioethics 4 (Winter 2004), 25-31; 41-3. On cosmetic surgery, JAMA 292 (2004), 743-5; and body images, BMJ 329 (2004), 237.
A study of alcohol drinking
in Slovenia is Croatian Medical Journal 45 (2004), 466-72; and in Brazil, SSM 59 (2004), 709-20. Alcoholism is a medical problem, Nature 429 (2004), 691; with genetics links, NatGen 36 (2004), 681. Studies of drug addiction and
recovery are discussed in Nature
431 (2004), 394-5; Science 305
(2004), 1014-7. Cannabis for medical purposes is discussed in Lancet 364 (2004), 315-6; Nature 430 (2004), 492. A call to medicalise the suffering
from depression in the developing
world is made in Lancet 364
(2004), 233-4. Urban environments may also be risk factors, Lancet 363 (2004), 2012-3. SSRIs and suicide are discussed
in JAMA 292 (2004), 338+, 379-81.
The need for better health information in Africa is connected to general expansion to the Internet, Lancet 364 (2004), 222-4, 295+. The role of glossy magazines
as information sources is discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 1444. On self-reported health, SSM 60 (2004), 595-607.
Child public health is discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 1384; 329 (2004), 266-9; MJA 180 (2004), 562-5. Youth mortality is discussed in JAMA 292 (2004), 569, 624-5. Peace and health are
discussed in Lancet 364 (2004),
311, 384-6. Violence against healthcare workers is discussed in Occupational
& Environmental Medicine 61
(2004), 649. Pain is often neglected in war areas, BMJ 328 (2004), 1398. Gulf war syndrome is discussed in Nature 430 (2004), 821. Depression in Afghanistan is
discussed in JAMA 292 (2004),
575-84. Rapid income growth has affected diet quality in China, SSM 59 (2004), 1505-15.
On average smoking shortens life about 10 years, Bulletin WHO 82 (2004), 632-3; BMJ 328 (2004), 537-8, 1507, 1519-33, 1529; NS (5 June 2004), 12. Tobacco smoking policy by patients
in Israeli hospitals is discussed in Nursing Ethics 11 (2004), 472-8. Passive smoking is discussed in JAMA 291 (2004), 2690-1; BMJ 328 (2004), 1222; 329 (2004), 200-4; NS (10 July 2004), 15. The WHO Convention on Tobacco
Control may be international binding law by the end of 2004, Bulletin WHO 82 (2004), 635. Smoking bans are discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 1379-80; 329 (2004), 368; NEJM 350 (2004), 2231-3; Occup. Environ. Med. (2004), 383-6. The UK ban on smoking ads might lead
to other ad bans for other harmful substances, BMJ 328 (2004), 1558-60, 1572; Science 304 (2004), 804. Japan Tobacco's SmoCar for smokers
is discussed in BMJ 329 (2004),
352. Teenagers images of tobacco use in Sweden are presented in SSM 59 (2004), 573-83; and in India, SSM 59 (2004), 415-31. Tobacco harm in south Asia is
discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 780.
Kenya has proposed a tobacco compensation law for smokers to sue companies, Lancet 363 (2004), 1963.
Addiction has several causes, Feng, Y. et al. "A common
haplotype of the nicotine acetylcholine receptor alpha4 subunit gene is
associated with vulnerability to nicotine addiction in men", AJHG 75 (2004), 112-21; JAMA 292 (2004), 321-2. There is still a future for the
cigarette, Lancet 364 (2004),
231-2. Medical benefits of nicotine are discussed in NatMed. 10 (2004), 660-1. Many secret documents from the
tobacco industry will be on the Internet soon, BMJ 328 (2004), 1335. UK universities have set a policy
for tobacco funding, BMJ 329
(2004), 9.
Patenting & Business
The
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
entered into force on 29 June 2004, following the ratification of 55 countries
(FAO homepage). On the role of the CBD, Nature 429 (2004), 585. A discussion of the Canadian Supreme
Court ruling of Monsanto v. Percy Schmeiser is in Ram's Horn 221 (June 2004), 1-3; GeneWatch 17 (July 2004), 10-2; NS (29 May 2004), 4-5; NatBio 22 (2004), 803-4. WHO approaches to IPR and poverty,
and the new IPR commission are summarized in TDR News 72 (June 2004), 8; www.who.int/intellectualproperty.
On the evolution of traditions and IPR, HoneyBee 15(1, March 2004), 1, 16. Plant patents and
agriculture are discussed in Science
305 (2 July 2004). Genetics and IP
protection are discussed in Health Law Review 12 (No.2, 2004), 34-43. Public order and protests
against gene patents are being discussed in Europe, Nature Reviews Genetics 5 (2004), 86.
A patient advocate was named the coinventor on the PXE disease gene, Science 305 (2004), 1226. Knowledge management software can
follow the origin of ideas in research, Nature 428 (2004), 462-3. Commons-based strategies and the
problems of patents are discussed in Science 305 (2004), 1110-1.
The Curie
Institute successful case against the BRCA1 patent of Myriad genetics is
discussed in NatBio 22 (2004),
797; NS (29 May 2004), 4. In
Europe the research charity Cancer research UK has a patent for BRCA2 that makes it freely accessible in Europe, Nature 427 (2004), 669; NatBio 22 (2004), 943-4. A dual arrangement between
Genenentech and Celltech may be extending the lifetime of monoclonal antibody
technology patents, SA (Feb 2004),
20. A US-Morocco deal extends the life of patents there to 30 years, Lancet 362 (2003), 1904. On commercial copying charges in
Europe, Nature 426 (2003), 217. On
the patent dispute over PCR technology, Nature 426 (2003), 373. On IP litigation in China, NatBio 22 (2004), 368. Price competitiveness in the drug
industry is discussed in Lancet
362 (2003), 257. Duke University researchers were told to try not to use
patented medical technologies, NatMed.
10 (2004), 5. A series of papers on IP are in University
of Chicago Law Review 71 (Winter 2004), 1-220. The case of the Harvard oncomouse licensing is one way to manage innovation, NatBio 22 (2004), 761-3. The importance of disclosure of
patents is argued in Lancet 364
(2004), 577-8. The question of whether diagnostic methods are excluded from
patentability by the EPC is debated in NatBio 22 (2004), 1167-8.
A paper on
access is Sterckx, S. "Patents and access to drugs in developed countries:
An ethical analysis", Developing
World Bioethics 4 (2004), 58-75. NIH decided not to intervene in
pricing an AIDS drug, Science 305
(2004), 926-7. The EU is delaying to consider an EU-wide patent system,
www.scrippharma.com (23 June 2004). On generic drugs, Nature 429 (2004), 588; University of Chicago Law Review 71 (Winter 2004), 93-110. Collaborative research has
special problems for patent seekers, NatBio 22 (2004), 901-2. In 2003 there were less patent
approvals for biotechnology in the USA, as the HGP ended, NatBio 22 (2004), 930-1. Australia is experimenting with
experimental use exemptions of patents, NatBio 22 (2004), 1023-5. The diffusion of IP protection in Indian agriculture is reviewed in Ecological Economics 49 (2004), 187-98. Indian patients have made a court
case against the exclusive license given to Novartis in India to market
imatinib, BMJ 329 (2004), 419.
Book reviews of the $800 Million Pill
are Nature 429 (2004), 807; Lancet 364 (2004), 321-2. There are claims against President
Bush that he pressured some developing countries not to make generics, BMJ 329 (2004), 192. On generics, Nature
429 (2004), 588; BMJ 329 (2004),
12. The rare disease drugs market is discussed in NatBio 22 (2004), 1061.
The case of
Hiroaki Serizawa who was accused
of spying when he exported cell lines is discussed in Nature 430 (2004), 960-1. He has sued the Japanese
government for confining him while considering whether to extradict him to the
USA, Nature 431 (2004), 9.
A new book
is Chaturvedi, S., & Rao, SR., eds., Biotechnology and Development. Challenges and Opportunities for Asia (New Delhi: Academic Foundation, 2004, ISBN
981230236-0, 319pp.) It includes chapters from different countries. The
potential of the biotechnology sector to compete with the pharma industry is
discussed in NS (13 Dec. 2003),
52. Arguments to support scientific research because it saves lives are
questioned in NS (28 Feb. 2004),
18-9. Grants, politics and NIH are discussed in NEJM 349 (2003), 2259-61; Nature 430 (2004), 953. Grant writing tips in the UK are
suggested in BMJ 327 (2003),
1446-8. The role of universities
in the rich world to forge partnerships with the developing world are discussed
in BMJ 327 (2003), 1415-6. On
academic medicine, BMJ 328 (2004),
45; and industry links, JAMA 291
(2004), 1120-6; NatBio 22 (2004),
920-5; Nature 430 (2004), 598. A discussion
of drug discovery is in NS (10
July 2004), 54-7; NS (3 July
2004), 36-8; and bioindustry in general is NS (10 July 2004), 50-3. Globalization of pharma
industry is discussed in Int. J. Health Sciences 33 (2003), 581-605. Drug discovery is discussed
biotechnology in Australia is
discussed in NS (22 Nov. 2003),
56-9; (5 June 2004), 56-9; in Europe,
NatBio 21 (2003), 1287-91; 22 (2004), 367; NatBio 22 (2004), 501-4; in Argentina, NatBio 22 (2004), 143; New Zealand, NS (17 July 2004), 48-51; India, NatBio
22 (2004), 933; Japan, APBN 8
(2004), 467-71; NatBio 22 (2004),
931-2; Science 305 (2004), 1547;
Malta, The Scientist (5 July
2004), 50-1; Spain, Nature 428
(2004), 365; and in San Diego, Nature
426 (2004), 689; in UK, The
Scientist (7 June 2004), 54-5; Scrip
Notes 2954 (21 May 2004), 10. Ernst
and Young report on biotechnology, Beyond Borders: A Global Perspective 2004. China is increasing its share of global
publications, Nature 430 (2004),
311-6; 431 (2004), 116.
Ethical
issues from the involvement of bioethicists with private industry is discussed
in NatBio 22 (2004), 947-8. GSK
plans to publish its register of clinical trials on the web, BMJ 328 (2004), 1513. Open access to industry data is discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 1395; 329 (2004), 64-5; NatMed. 10 (2004), 653; Lancet 363 (2004), 1919; Nature 429 (2004), 589. Science and corruption by industry
is discussed in NEJM 349 (2003),
1979; Lancet 363 (2004), 1873; Nature 430 (2004), 951; and lack of public trust, BMJ 329 (2004), 189, 247. Lancet accused
AstraZeneca of sponsoring biased research, BMJ 327 (2003), 1005. German cases of bribes are
discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 1333;
329 (2004), 10. On the future of agbiotech, NatBio 22 (2004),
791. Valuing the product
development cycle in agbiotech is reviewed in NatBio 22 (2004), 817-822. A report from the BIO conference
in the USA is in NatBio 22 (2004),
785. BIO has set up a nonprofit organization for development of medicines for
global health, NatBio 22 (2004),
796.
Birth Control
Catholic reasons against same sex marriage are
summarized in National Catholic
Bioethics Quarterly 4 (2004), 303-16.
Transexualism is discussed in BMJ
329 (2004), 356; and on intersex conditions, AJLM 30 (2004), 41-68. Brain gender is discussed in Nature
Neuroscience 6 (2004), 570-2. On
reproductive rights in Canada, Health
Law Review 12 (No.2, 2004), 44-52.
Sexuality, sex education, rights and social justice from a range of different
countries are discussed in Reproductive Health Matters 12 (May 2004), 6-135. The relationship between
women's employment and contraceptive use in Oman is reported in Reproductive Health Matters 12 (May 2004), 144-54. Contraception in Kuwait was
assessed to be generally accessible in SSM 59 (2004), 1573-80. On reproductive health, Bulletin WHO 82 (2004), 549; Lancet
364 (2004), 742-3; AJPH 94 (2004),
1297-9; SSM 59 (2004), 1379-95; BMJ 328 (2004), 1504. Funding of birth control has
positive impacts, AJPH 94 (2004),
1330-2, 1341-6. Law, coercion and population control was discussed in Harvard Law Review
84 (1971), 1856+.
Race and
pregnancy related care in Brazil and South Africa is compared in SSM 59 (2004), 1127-46. Gender inequality and family
planning in rural China is
reported in SSM 59 (2004),
695-708. Girls in Sudan are more likely to die in childbirth than to complete
primary school, BMJ 329 (2004),
1514; www.unsudanig.org/Publications/assessments. The US FDA has denied plans
for over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptive, JAMA 291 (2004), 2805-6; Science 305 (2004), 17. A survey of the awareness of
Californian women of their use is AJOG 191 (2004), 150-6. An industry perspective on the evolution of
hormonal contraceptive development is in Sexuality, Reproduction &
Menopause 2 (June 2004), 119+. Teen
mothers are discussed in JAMA 292
(2004), 108.
A book
review of Why We Do It is in Nature 430 (2004), 613-4. Pupil-led sex education in England
is described in Lancet 364 (2004),
338-46, 407. The safety and effects of estrogen and hormones on women are
discussed in JAMA 291 (2004),
2947, 2959-68, 3005-7. Longterm use of HRT may double breast cancer risk, BMJ 329 (2004), 9.
Sexuality and breast cancer are discussed in Sexuality, Reproduction
& Menopause 2 (June 2004), 89+.
Midwifery in Maya tradition from a study in Guatemala is discussed in SSM 59 (2004), 637-51. Sex trafficking in Benin City is
discussed in SSM 59 (2004),
1315-27.
Embryo Status
On human
embryo research, Amer. J. Bioethics
4 (Winter 2004), 1-5. Approval for
abortion but disagreement for sexual rights in Tamil Nadu, India are discussed in Reproductive Health Matters 12 (May 2004), 88-99. On abortion in Brazil, CQHE 13 (2004), 275-9; and in Nepal, Lancet 363 (2004), 1905. The UK may review the abortion time
limits, BME 199 (July 2004), 3.
Australian laws are debated in MJA 181 (2004),
201-3. Physician assistants as providers of abortion services in USA were found
to be safe, AJPH 94 (2004), 1352-7.
Risk factors in the USA are discussed in 0&G 104 (2004), 635.
Italy is considering reducing funds for abortions, BMJ 329 (2004), 418. In general on abortion, BMJ 329 (2004), 236. On parental consent methods, Harvard
Law Review 117 (2004), 2785+. Grief of
fathers for abortion is discussed in Sociology of Health & Illness 26 (2004), 326-50.
A
report from the Danish Council of Ethics on "The beginning of human
life and the moral status of the embryo. A debate outline." is online
http://www.etiskraad.dk/sw303.asp. A discussion of US debates on embryo
research is Nature 431
(2004), 19-20. An ethical analysis is Lee, P. "The pro-life argument from
substantial identity: A defense", Bioethics 18 (2004), 249-63, 64-82; also pp.
221-248. Research on premature infant livers to isolate stem cells is debated
in NatMed. 10 (2004),
762. Fetal transplants
for Parkinson's disease are discussed in NS (10 July 2004), 40-3.
Cloning and stem cells
The UK has approved the licensing of their first trial for nuclear transfer therapeutic
cloning involving use of spare eggs
from an infertility centre in Newcastle, BMJ 329 (2004), 417; NS (21 Aug. 2004), 8-9; Science 305 (2004), 1102; Nature 430 (2004), 817. The UK is funding more research, Current
Biology 14 (2004), R493, R592-3. The
Bioethics committee of the Council for Science and Technology Policy, and the
Ministry of Health Ethics Committee have approved plans to allow therapeutic
cloning research in Japan, but the
guidelines may take another year to develop, Nature 430 (2004), 5; NatMed. 10 (2004), 763; Science 304 (2004), 1729; NatBio 22 (2004), 937. Mexico has reversed a ban on stem
cell research, NatMed. 10 (2004),
656. France has banned reproductive and therapeutic cloning, BMJ 329 (2004), 130. Arab states may also be preparing to
ban cloning, Lancet 363 (2004),
2061. A discussion of California
Proposition 71 that will be on the election ballot in November in the USA to
promote therapeutic cloning research is Science 305 (2004), 1544-5; Nature 430 (2004), 125. There may be a US repository for
stem cells, Nature 429 (2004),
691, 430 (2004), 389. On the US debates, Science 305 (2004), 760; NS (29 May 2004), 49; JAMA 292 (2004), 163. The lobbying of scientists supported
by the Genetics Policy Institute and others to the UN to allow therapeutic cloning research is discussed in
Lancet 363 (2004), 1962; NatGen 36 (2004), 781.
Papers on cloning bans in Italian are
in Bioetica e Cultura 13 (2004,
No. 1), 23-66. Laws against reproductive
cloning are discussed in J. Law & Medicine 11 (Feb. 2004), 351-72. Problems of stem cell
research are reviewed in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 4 (2004), 289-302. On 2 September, 2004, Singapore banned reproductive cloning but permitted therapeutic
cloning, Nature 431 (2004), 119. Canada has banned human reproductive cloning, HCR 34 (May 2004), 5. Australian debates on human ES cell research are reviewed in Health
Law Review 12 (No.2, 2004), 27-33.
Child welfare and human cloning is discussed in Keough, W. "All in the
family: A child welfare perspective on human reproductive cloning", Health
law Journal 11 (2003), 71-88. Also on ethics of stem cell research, Science 305 (2004), 1402; JAMA 292 (2004), 791-2; BMJ 329 (2004), 466.
Comments on the ethics of the creation
of the human ES cell line in Korea
are in Science 305 (2004), 944-5.
The Korean Ministry of health & Welfare has funded Catholic University of
Korea medical school US$12 million for research into use of adult stem cells,
Zenit.org, 18 June 2004. In general on stem cell research prospects, Science 305 (2004), 27, 929; TIBTECH 22 (2004), 155-6; NS (19 June 2004), 12; NatBio 22 (2004), 804-5, 863-6; JAMA 292 (2004), 75, 81, 104-5. Derivation of midbrain
dopamine neurons from human ES cells is reported in PNAS 101 (2004), 12543-8.
There has been criticism of an alleged "pre-mature" paper on adult
stem cells published in an on-line physics journal, Nature 429 (2004), 590; Applied Physics A (doi:10.1007/s00339-004-2816-6; 2004). Stem cell
research will extend to space with NASA, NS (21 Aug. 2004), 4. There is discussion of a claim
that Panos Zavos had made cloned embryos from dead humans and cow eggs, Nature 431 (2004), 118.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Papers on
ethics of ART regulation include HCR
34 (July 2004), 14-7. A new law in Italy bans freezing and destroying embryos and limits the number of oocytes
to be fertilized to 3, BMJ 329
(2004), 71, 1334. It also forbids preimplantation diagnosis. On ethics of
preimplantation diagnosis, NS (12
June 2004), 6-7. Papers on artificial procreation in Italian are in Alpha
Omega VII (April 2004), 91-114; VII
(July 2004), 301-26. A survey suggesting 30% of couples would donate embryos is Burton, PJ. & Sanders, K. "Patient
attitudes to donation of embryos for research in Western Australia", MJA 180 (2004), 559-61. In general on ethics of IVF, Sexuality,
Reproduction & Menopause 2 (June
2004), 61-3. Sex selection is discussed
in NS (12 June 2004), 3, 7; Bioethics 18
(2004), 205-20. China plans to ban sex-selection abortions in order to
balance gender of births, Japan Times
(16 July 2004), 4. Selection for tissue typing is discussed in NS (24 July 2004), 3; Current Biology 14 (2004), R594.
A
discussion of how many eggs to use in ART is BMJ 329 (2004), 302-3, 311-4. There are no extra
neurological risks of children after ICSI and IVF according to a Danish study, BMJ 329 (2004), 311-4. However children born from IVF
were found 9 times more likely to have a rare disorder Beckwith-Wiedemann
syndrome, NS (14 Aug. 2004), 11. A
paper on procreative liberty versus harm to offspring in ART is AJLM 30 (2004), 7-40. Ovarian transplants can restore
fertility in cancer patients, NatMed.
10 (2004), 764; NS (3 July 2004),
4. Ovaries may make eggs throughout life, NS (10 July 2004), 8. The lesbian baby boom using IVF is discussed in Sexuality,
Reproduction & Menopause 2 (June
2004), 83-8. Disclosure decisions among oocyte donation recipients in the USA
were the same whether using known or anonymous oocytes, F&S 81 (2004), 1565-71. Egg sharing is discussed in F&S 82 (2004), 74-9. Disclosure after DI is discussed in F&S 82 (2004), 172-9; Modern Law Review 67 (2004), 658-69.
On
masculinity and infertility and the media, SSM 59 (2004), 1169-75. Some possible infertility
increase was reported in Gulf war veterans in the UK, BMJ 329 (2004), 196-200. The terminology used in
reproductive medicine is discussed in F&S 82 (2004), 36-40.
Fetal Environment & Neonates
Some
ethical issues in the separation of Siamese twins are discussed in Bioethics
Research Notes 16 (2004), 17-9. The ethics and risk standards for pediatric research are
discussed in KIEJ 14 (2004),
165-86. Ethical and legal issues in the treatment of extremely premature
neonates are discussed in light of a recent Texas case, HCR 34 (July 2004), 32-9. The sentencing of offenders
with fetal alcohol syndrome is discussed in Health law Journal 11 (2003), 35-70. Cesareans in Brazil are discussed in Reproductive Health
Matters 12 (May 2004), 100-10; Lancet 363 (2004), 1921, 1934-40; and in general, Lancet 363 (2004), 1921-2; BMJ 328 (2004), 1399; 329 (2004), 291; SSM 59 (2004), 1397-408. The lives of persons who were
"blue babies" is discussed in Lancet 364 (2004), 571-2. Children's rights are promoted in Lancet 364 (2004), 221-2, 228; and on health risk topics, JAMA 291 (2004), 2688-9. A study in the UK found that
experts on child abuse disagreed
in 47 cases out of 5000, BMJ 328
(2004), 1517; Lancet 363 (2004),
2099; also see BMJ 329 (2004),
191.
A study of
Senegalese grandmothers found them adopting modern nutrition routines for
children, SSM 59 (2004), 945-59.
Grandparents were important for civilization, NS (10 July 2004), 14. Obesity in childhood is discussed
in Lancet 363 (2004), 2009; 364
(2004), 226-7, 257; and heart disease, AJPH 94 (2004), 1386-92. There are still 4 million newborn babies dying every year, Lancet 364 (2004), 399-401. Research on dead children is a difficult question to ask parents, Lancet 364 (2004), 737-8. On income inequality and pregnancy
spacing, SSM 59 (2004), 1117-26.
Antenatal care in rural India is discussed in SSM 59 (2004), 1147-58. Clinical trials in children are
discussed in Lancet 364 (2004),
803-11.
The hand a
fetus favours at 10 weeks will likely become the hand used in later life, NS (24 July 2004), 13. In flight radiation exposure by flight attendants when pregnant and
living at high altitude is not thought to present a risk to the fetus, 0&G 104 (2004), 630. Fish consumption in pregnancy is
discussed in MJA 181 (2004), 61-2.
Maternal diabetes has a lifelong impact on the health of offspring, JAMA 292 (2004), 789-91. The decrease in neural tube
defects since folic acid was
recommended in the USA is reported in JAMA 292 (2004), 325-6. MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of neural tube
defects is discussed in BMJ 328
(2004), 1535-6. Marginal maternal vitamin B12 status increases the risk of
offspring with spina bifida, AJOG
191 (2004), 11-7. Fetal loss is
associated with excess thyroid hormone exposure, JAMA 292 (2004), 691-5. On prenatal cocaine exposure, JAMA 292 (2004), 1021. Children born with cleft palate
have a lower life expectancy, BMJ
328 (2004), 1405-6. Australia has recognized a cancer risk for daughters of
women who took diethylstilboestrol during pregnancy, Lancet 363 (2004), 2059. Maternal effects in MS are
discussed in Lancet 363 (2004),
1748-9, 1773+. Baby food could trigger meningitis, NS (5 June 2004), 16.
ADHD drugs are discussed in Science 305 (2004), 1088; SSM 60 (2004), 1193-205; AJMG 129B (2004), (2004), 59-63; and on ADHD in adults, JAMA 292 (2004), 619-23. Mothering children with
disability is discussed in SSM 59
(2004), 1177-91. On antidepressant
dangers in children and hidden clinical trial data, BMJ 328 (2004), 1395; 329 (2004), 307; Science 304 (2004), 1576-7, 305 (2004), 1401; JAMA 292 (2004), 807+, 861-3; Nature 430 (2004), 954. Children think before they speak, Nature 430 (2004), 410-1. Babies exposed to sign language
start to use it also, NS (17 July
2004), 8. The US Supreme Court is considering whether persons under 18 years
who commit capital crimes should face the death sentence, Science 305 (2004), 596-8. Many children are losing childhood
when made to be soldiers, JAMA 292
(2004), 553-4; and on street youth, JAMA 292 (2004), 569-74. Girls tend to do less exercise in the UK, BMJ 328 (2004), 1395. A study in China found adopted and biological children were as healthy
as each other, but there was a difference in school enrolment, SSM 59 (2004), 609-23.
Genetic Disease Markers
On genetics
of schizophrenia, NatGen 36
(2004), 674-5. Genetics of heart disease is discussed in Nature 429 (2004), 819-20; JAMA 291 (2004), 2969-77, 3008-10. Diseases related to
heat shock proteins are discussed in NatGen 36 (2004), 547-8, 602+. On Huntingtin protein, NatGen 36 (2004), 553-4. The risk of developing a
mitochondrial DNA deletion disorder is discussed in Lancet 364 (2004), 592-6.
Genetics of
AHDH are discussed in AJMG 128B (2004), 84-9. Schizophrenia related genes are discussed in NatGen 36 (2004), 725-31; AJMG 128B, 129B (2004); NS (24 July 2004), 14; Nature Neuroscience 7 (2004), 575-80; PNAS 101 (2004), 12604-9. A review of cancer genes is NatMed. 10 (2004), 789-99; JMG 41 (2004), 421-4, 474-80. Maternal apoE genotype
modifies Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, JMG 41 (2004), 577-84. A review of genetic mutants is NS (12 June 2004), 32-5.
Genetic Screening Methodology
The Netherlands is considering how to better implement Down syndrome
screening on a case by case basis for mothers over 36 years, to lessen the
routine use of amniocentesis, Network #2, 19 (August 2004), 7-8 (also online, www.healthcouncil.nl).MTHFR
reductase enzyme polymorphisms can be a predictor for Down syndrome, AJMG 127A (2004), 1-4, 5-10. Prenatal diagnosis of interstitially
satellited 6p is described in Prenatal Diagnosis 24 (2004), 430-3. Preimplantation diagnosis is reviewed in Prenatal Diagnosis 24 (2004), 552, 553-5, 556-61; F&S 82 (2004), 292-4; Lancet 363 (2004), 1633-41. 98% confirmation of prenatal
ultrasound cases and post-mortem exams was found in a UK study, Prenatal
Diagnosis 24 (2004), 339-46. Blastocyst biopsy is being used in Sydney IVF, F&S 82 (2004), 295-8. Neuroblastoma screening in Japan
has been halted, NEJM 351 (2004),
2010-1. Autoantibodies can be predictors of disease, Lancet 363 (2004), 1544-6.
Personalized
genetic databases will be developed, Nature Reviews Genetics 5 (2004), 611-8; Scrip Magazine (June 2004), 25-7; Nature 429 (2004), 453-60. The FDA blocked a gene array test
made by Roche, Science 302 (2003),
1134. Cost –effectiveness of HLA B5701 genotyping in preventing abacavir
hypersensitivity is described in Pharmacogenetics 14 (2004), 335-42.On polymorphism screening for
thiopurine S-methyltransferase, Pharmacogenetics 14 (2004), 395-6. Whole body MRI
is discussed in BMJ 328 (2004),
1387-8; Lancet 363 (2004),
2162-71. Brain scans are discussed as brain scam in Nature Neuroscience 7 (2004), 683.
On imaging techniques, NatBio
22 (2004), 677-8. DNA chips are reviewed in Technology Review (July 2001), 50-55; Science 305 (2004), 925; BioScience 54 (2004), 403-12; Nature Reviews – Genetics 5 (2004), 411.
On breast
cancer screening, JAMA 292 (2004),
1062-4+; colon cancer, NEJM 351
(2004), 2091-2; and prostrate cancer with low PSA levels, NEJM 351 (2004), 2292-4. On a breast cancer gene chip, JAMA
291 (2004), 2927-8. Tumour gene profiles are being used in the clinic, JAMA 292 (2004), 675; Science 304 (2004), 1725; 305 (2004), 1222; Nature 429 (2004), 453-6. The sex ratio among the offspring of BRCA mutation carriers, JAMA 292 (2004), 687-8. Use of pharmacogenetics to improve
drug safety and efficacy, JAMA 291
(2004), 2869-71, 2821+. The use of cascade screening in autosomal recessive
disorders is described in AJMG
128A (2004), 271-5. On negative and positive results in screening, BMJ 329 (2004), 209-13.
President
Bush has announced plans to screen the whole US population for mental illness, BMJ 328 (2004), 1458. On PCR technology, Nature Reviews –
Genetics 5 (2004), 640. On the
effectiveness of proteomic diagnostics, Nature 429 (2004), 496-7. Homocysteine is a predictor for
hip fracture in older persons, NEJM
350 (2004), 2033-41, 2042-9.
DNA Fingerprinting & Privacy
The
document adopted in 2004 by the European Group on Ethics in Science and New
Technologies, opinion number 19, "The Ethical Aspects of Umbilical Cord
Blood Banking" can be downloaded from
http://europa.eu.int/comm./eropean_group_ethics. A summary of the privacy laws
in Canada is in Caulfield, T. & Ries, N., "Consent, privacy and
confidentiality in longitudinal, population health research: The Canadian Legal
Context", Supplement, Health
Law Journal (2004), 65pp. Other
perspectives on the issues raised by genetic databases are raised in Health
Law Review 12 (No.2, 2004), 11-7. The
development of databases for poor people is discussed in Bhardwaj, M.
"Rich databases and poor people: Opportunities for developing
countries", TRAMES 8 (2004),
90-105. A national DNA bank in Gambia is discussed in NatGen 37 (2004), 785-6. Global networks for genetic disease
research are discussed in NatMed.
10 (2004), 665-7. Consent for biobanks is discussed in Nature Reviews
– Genetics 5 (2004), 485. On
commercial sales of genetic information, Technology Review (April 2001), 40-6.
Privacy is
discussed in J. Law, Medicine & Ethics 31 (Winter 2003), 663-71; Nursing Ethics 11 (2004), 366-77; MJA 181 (2004), 125-6. On forensic epidemiology, J.
Law, Medicine & Ethics 31 (Winter
2003), 684-700. The Code of practice on access to personal information in the
UK is in BME
199 (July 2004), 9-11 (www.healthcarecommission.org.uk). Banking umbilical cord
blood in the UK is discussed in BME 198
(May 2004), 3-5. The UK Human Tissue Bill was modified because of research
need, BMJ 328 (2004), 1518;
NS (5 June 2004), 51. Obstacles to
conducting epidemiological research in the UK are discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 277-9; Science 305 (2004), 29; and in the USA, Science 305 (2004), 168-9. Disclosure
of non-paternity is discussed in Lancet
364 (2004), 327-8.
In
Switzerland a new law
allows insurance companies to take out life insurance policies worth more than
SFr400,000, BMJ 329
(2004), 70. In general on genetics and life insurance, CMAJ 170 (2004), 1421-3; Science 305 (2004), 183. Data protection is discussed
in BMJ 328 (2004),
1437-8. On disclosure of personal medical information, AJMG 128A (2004), 261-70; Current Biology 14 (2004), R403. The question whether
genetic information is a patients or the whole families is discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 165-7. It may be possible to
identify any animal in
the world by a brief genetic sequence, NS (26 June 2004), 32-5. Computer privacy is discussed in SA (Aug. 2004), 10-2. China is introducing
screening on text messages that persons send, NS (10 July 2004), 4. The location of cell
phone users can be found, which may be both good and bad, NS (26 June 2004), 21; (17 July 2004), 4.
The difficlutlies of conducting a census are discussed in Science 304 (2004), 1452-3.
Ethics & Genetic Screening
A paper on
ethics of immigration in Italian is in Bioetica e Cultura 13 (2004, No. 1), 125-46. Genohype is discussed in GeneWatch 17 (July 2004), 6-10. The identification of
individual predisposition to violence is debated in J. Law, Medicine &
Ethics 31 (Spring 2004), 24-33. A
comparison of the use of BRCA1
between USA, UK and France is in GeneWatch 17 (May 2004), 3-5, 10. Social contract theory applied to BRCA1
testing is discussed in KIEJ 14
(2004), 115-42. Genetic counseling and prophylactic surgery for breast or
ovarian cancer is discussed in Lancet
363 (2004), 1841-2; JAMA 292
(2004), 796-8; SSM 59 (2004),
553-65; JME 30 (2004), 227-30.
Patients' genes influences the QOL after chemotherapy, JAMA 292 (2004), 673-4. Case studies from New Zealand of the issues in the work of cytogeneticists are in NZBJ 5 (June 2004), 13-24. The ownership of Guthrie test
samples in New Zealand is reviewed in NZBJ 5 (June 2004), 25-33.
Persons
perceptions are surveyed in Kuppermann, M. et al. "How do women of diverse
backgrounds value prenatal testing outcomes?", Prenatal Diagnosis 24 (2004), 424-9; Leung TN. et al. "Attitudes
towards termination of pregnancy among Hong Kong Chinese women attending
prenatal diagnosis counseling clinic", Prenatal Diagnosis
24 (2004), 546-51; Leung, KY. Et al. "Randomised trial comparing an
interactive multimedia decision aid with a leaflet and a video to give
information about prenatal screening for Down syndrome, Prenatal Diagnosis
24 (2004), 613-8. False positives are a problem in Down syndrome screening, Prenatal Diagnosis
24 (2004), 389-92. The psychological impact of genetic testing for familial
hypercholesterolemia is discussed in AJMG 128A (2004), 285-93. Education in genetics for physicians is also important, JMG 41 (2004), 518-22; BMJ 329 (2004), 2-3.
The
introduction of clinical genetics tests is discussed in J. Law, Medicine
& Ethics 31 (Spring 2004),
106-10; BMJ 329 (2004), 4-6. A
genetic mutation that means gefitinib works in some patients is described in NatMed. 10 (2004), 553. Community
narratives in research are discussed in Davis, DS., "Genetic research and
communal narratives", HCR 34
(July 2004), 40-9. Other papers on community consultations are in Science
and Engineering Ethics 10 (2004),
457-82. On the Estonian database project, CQHE 13 (2004), 254-62. On race in genetics, Nature Reviews -
Genetics 5 (2004), 559. A report from an
EU citizen's meeting on human genetic testing is in Science and
Engineering Ethics 10 (2004), 579-88.
Some recommendations on ethics of genetic testing in Europe are in BME 197 (April
2004), 8-11. Models for integrating pharmacogenetics into society are discussed
in Nature
Reviews – Genetics 5 (2004), 663-75; Pharmacoeconomics 22 (2004), 495-8. On the ethics of
pharmacogenetics, Nature Reviews – Genetics 5 (2004), 676-80. Ethics of research into rare genetic
disorders are discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 288-9. Genetic counseling in Fragile X is
discussed in JAMA 291 (2004), 2945.
A
book review of War Against the Weak is JAMA 292 (2004), 868-9. Embryo screening to arrange tissue
matching is debated in F&S 82
(2004), 290-1; JAMA 292 (2004),
803-5. Preimplantation diagnosis is discussed in F&S 82 (2004), 302-3; NS (12 June 2004), 6; (24 July 2004), 7; The
Scientist (21 June 2004), 26-7.
President Bush has announced plans to screen the entire US population for
mental illness, BMJ 329 (2004),
292-3. A study of immigration policy against Mexicans and Filipinos in LA
1910-1940 is in AJPH 94 (2004),
932-9. The African Society of
Human Genetics has been launched, NatGen 36 (2004), 544. On genetic determinism, The Scientist (24 May 2004), 32. On IQ, Science 305 (2004), 774. A framework for gene testing in
Europe is described in Current Biology 14 (2004), R363-4; and in general, The Scientist (21 June 2004),64; Sociology of Health and Illness 26 (2004), 102-6, 107-9. Feminist discourse on sex
selection is discussed in Bioethics
18 (2004), 205-20.
Gene Therapy
Human germline modification is scaled in J. Law, Medicine &
Ethics 31 (Spring 2004), 164-73. A
paper on research policies for genetic modification of preimplantation embryos
is Milbank Quarterly 82 (2004),
195-214. Ethics of sports enhancement
are discussed in French in Les Cahiers du Comite Consulttatif National
d'Ethique 39 (May 2004), 7-18; also
in English, Lancet 364 (2004), 573-4;
Science 305 (2004), 631. Some
natural gene mutations enhance muscle growth of athletes, NS (28 July 2004), 3. A book review of Elliott, C., Better
than Well: American Medicine Meets the American Dream (NY: W.W. Norton, 2003, 224pp.) is in HCR 34 (May 2004), 46-7. Also on enhancement, JAMA 292 (2004), 867; NatGen 36 (2004), 661. A book review of Merchants of
Immortality is NatMed. 10 (2004), 575. The bioethics of anti-ageing changes are discussed in TIBTECH 22 (2004), 218-2; BMJ 328 (2004), 1504. Lifestyle drugs are discussed in Trends
in Pharmacological Sciences 25
(2004), 182-4.
French trials of SCID gene therapy will resume after a 22 month break
following leukemia cases, Nature
429 (2004), 587. RNAinterference
technology is discussed in Nature
429 (2004), 792; 430 (2004), 161-4; JAMA 291 (2004), 2803-4; NatBio
22 (2004), 967, 1066; and RNAi has treated a model of spinocerebellar ataxia, NatMed. 10 (2004), 775-6, 816-27. Possible gene therapy of
ALS is suggested from a mouse model, JAMA 291 (2004), 2809. On targeted therapy of tumours, NatMed. 10 (2004), 764; and gene therapy for lung cancer, Science
& Medicine 9 (August 2003),
187-9. A gene required for germ cells for stem cell self-renewal has been
identified, NatGen 36 (2004),
647-52. Adeno-associated virus vectors integrate at chromosome breakage sites, NatGen 36 (2004), 767-73. On gene delivery to striated
muscle using AAV vectors, NatMed. 10 (2004), 828-34. Use of extra chromosomes as
vectors is another option, NS (19
June 2004), 10. Gene therapy to save tissues from oxygen starvation is being
suggested, NS (7 Aug. 2004), 16.
In general on gene therapy, GEN 24
(15 May 2004), 39, 41.
Human Genome Project (HGP)
Population
genetics and benefit sharing is discussed in Health law Journal 11 (2003), 89-118. It is still difficult to gain
access to research the Kennewick Man, Science 305 (2004), 591. There are still disputes between
medical geneticists and Native
American communities, Nature 430
(2004), 391, 489, 500-2. Despite the discovery of the Huntington disease gene
through research in Venezuela, the residents still have many problems, Lancet 364 (2004), 569-70. Deconstructing the relationship
between genetics and race is
discussed in Nature Reviews – Genetics 5 (2004), 598-609. Human colonization history can be
traced by genetics, Heredity 93
(2004), 124-5; or in rat genetics, Science 304 (2004), 1742. The use of the term Caucasian is discussed in NatGen 36 (2004), 541. A personal review of Yusuke Nakamura
is in NatMed. 10 (2004), 560. In
general on the genome, NS (19 June
2004), 46.
Studies of
roundworm C.elegans have shown that mutations occur frequently, Nature 431 (2004), 625-6.
Duplicating SNPs are discussed in NatGen 36 (2004), 789-90; Nature Reviews –
Genetics 5
(2004), 641. A book review of Human Genome Epidemiology is JAMA 292 (2004), 385-6. Pharmacogenetic tests are discussed in Pharmacogenetics 14 (2004), 333-4; JAMA 291 (2004), 2821-7; BMJ 328 (2004), 1482-6; AJHG 75 (2004), 353-62. The ethics of having research
populations reflect the diversity of the population is addressed in JME 30 (2004), 185-9. Genome wide
variation in expression is discussed in Nature 430 (2004), 743-7. On cost
effectiveness in pharmacogenomics, Pharmacoeconomics 22 (2004), 481-93. Injury
research in the genomic era is discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 2076-83. A book review of the Malaria
Parasite is NatGen 36 (2004), 545. A review of
the Mutagenic insertion and chromosome engineering resource (MICER) is NatGen 36 (2004), 867-71. Widespread
genes suggest genes develop in many places, Science 304 (2004), 1591. Ancient DNA
tests are discussed in AJHG 75 (2004), 240-50; Current Biology 14 (2004), R463. On the
evolution of the genome, Nature Reviews – Genetics 5 (2004), 482; and in yeasts,
Nature 430
(2004), 35-44. Comparisons between dog breeds and DNA is described in Nature
Reviews – Genetics 5 (2004), 484. Chemical genomics and IPRs are discussed in Science 304 (2004), 1728. The genome
of Propionibacterium acnes in human skin is Science 305 (2004), 671-3.
General Medical Ethics
A paper
looking at Francisco de Vitoria and the pre-Hobbesian roots of natural rights
theory is Alpha Omega VII (April
2004), 47-60. A study of why bioethicists seek for informed consent is in HCR 34 (May 2004), 28-34; and on surgical consent, Lancet 364 (2004), 659, 812-3. Research in children is
discussed in JME 30 (2004),
176-81. The ethical issues of using child translators for medical decisions are
discussed in HCR 34 (May 2004),
10-2. Ethics in different countries are discussed in CQHE
13 (2004), 215-282; Turkish J. Medical
Ethics 12 (2004), 92-103. Informed consent
in Egypt is discussed in Nursing
Ethics 11 (2004), 394-9. Empirical
studies on informed consent in China
are in J. Clinical Ethics 15
(2004), 61-75; and on India, JME
30 (2004), 318-23. A book review of Crawford, SC. Hindu Bioethics for the Twenty-First Century (SUNY Series in Religious Studies, 226pp.) is JAMA 291 (2004), 2759-60. Medical ethics in Somalia is
discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 119.
On a cosmist perspective in biomedicine, Calicut Medical J. 2 (2004), e7.
Ethical dilemmas found in Turkey are
reported in Nursing Ethics 11
(2004), 444-58; and from Hungary, BME 197 (April 2004), 13-7. On truth-telling, Nursing
Ethics 11 (2004), 500-13. The UK
mental capacity law revision is discussed in BME 199 (July 2004), 13-8. On parental refusal of consent, BME 197 (April 2004), 22-3. Virtue ethics is discussed in Ethics 114 (2004), 458-91. Compassion is discussed in SACB
Bioethics Newsletter XVI (Sept. 2004),
1-3; and a book review of The Renewal of Generosity is JAMA 292
(2004), 981-2; BMJ 329 (2004), 355. On
medical ethics, BMJ 329 (2004), 126.
Clinical guideline development is discussed in Lancet 364 (2004), 392-3, 429-37; Bulletin WHO 82 (2004), 551. On the doctor-patient relationship, Sociology
of Health & Illness 26 (2004), 135-58.
On human health research ethics, Science
305 (2004), 949. Autonomy is discussed in Bioethics 18 (2004), 87-119.
Disparities
in participation in cancer clinical trials are discussed in JAMA 292 (2004), 922-3. The benefits and risks
of medical treatment are discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 7-8, 457-9. A clinical trial database is being developed in Europe, NatMed. 10 (2004), 555; and on the ethics of why
companies should deposit their trial data, NS (26 June 2004), 5; NatBio 22 (2004), 936. On the ethics of
conjoined twins, JAMA
291 (2004), 2761-2. Intellectual disability is discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 414-5; NS (10 July 2004), 38-41; Romeo-Casabona,
CM. "Legal perspectives in novel psychiatric treatment and related
research", Poiesis Prax 2 (2004), 315-28; and compulsory psychiatric treatment, BMJ 329 (2004), 136-8. Acute ethics
consultation is discussed in MJA 181 (2004), 180-1, 204-6.
Medical
education is discussed
in JAMA 292 (2004),
1025-31, 1081-4. On the ethics of medical education, BMJ 329 (2004), 332-4. A paper on educational
epidemiology, JAMA 292
(2004), 1044-50. The clinical autonomy of doctors is decreasing, BMJ 329 (2004), 8. On ethnic diversity and
discrimination, SSM 59
(2004), 961-71; BMJ
328 (2004), 1541-4, 329 (2004), 11. Preventative war is debated in Philosophy
& Public Affairs 32
(2004), 207+.
Law & Medical Ethics
Papers on
moral standards and fair benefits for international medical research are in HCR 34 (May 2004), 3, 17-27. The role of US state law in
protecting subjects of public health research is discussed in J. Law,
Medicine & Ethics 31 (Winter
2003), 654-62. A review of two US
cases that illustrate US subjects protection is NZBJ 5 (June 2004), 6-12; and on how to convene a 407
panel for special cases of research, KIEJ 14 (2004), 165-86. Human subjects research in Canada is reviewed in Health
law Journal 11 (2003), 137-76. The
application of the Helsinki Declaration to the UK is discussed in BME 198 (May 2004),
1; 197 (April 2004), 3-4; BMJ 329
(2004), 241. The ethics of human research are discussed in a book review
in HCR 34 (July 2004),
50—1. On research in
children, BME
197 (April 2004), 18-9. A book review of Annas, GJ., The Rights of Patients, 3rd edition, is JAMA 292 (2004), 867-8. The legacy of Aby Ghraib prison
abuses for military medicine are discussed in Lancet 364 (2004), 637-8, 725-6; BMJ 329 (2004), 66. The involvement of doctors in Egypt
in human rights abuses of alleged homosexual men is criticized in Lancet 363 (2004), 1903.
Administrative
guidance is one common way of bioethics regulation in Japan, Slinsby, BT. Et al. "Administrative legislation
in Japan: Guidelines on scientific and ethical standards", CQHE 13 (2004),
245-53. Bureaucracy of ethics applications are discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 282-5. The role of community advisory boards
in IRB protection is discussed in AJPH
94 (2004), 918-28. The politics of the US President's Bioethics Council
are discussed in GeneWatch 17 (May
2004), 6-10. New developments in New
Zealand medical law are reviewed in Health
Law Review 12 (No.2, 2004), 18-26.
Papers in French and English on the Helsinki declaration are in IJB 15 (2004), 11-66. The draft additional protocol to
the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine is in IJB 15 (2004), 107-22.
The cost
effectiveness of sample size in clinical trials is discussed in Pharmacoeconomics 22 (2004), 685-8. The issue of the established
standards of care in clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa is reviewed in JAMA 292 (2004), 237-42; JME 30 (2004), 190-3, 194-7. On evidence-based medicine, JME 30 (2004), 122-175.
Management
of medical indemnity is discussed in MJA 180 (2004), 577-80; 181 (2004), 27-9, 31-5, 64-5; 0&G
104 (2004), 429-30; BMJ 327
(2003), 7, 13-7; 329 (2004), 58, 357; JAMA 291 (2004), 3015; 292 (2004), 847-51. Litigation affects nursing home
quality, J. Health Politics, Policy and Law 29 (2004), 11-42. Napoleon Bonaparte may have been
killed by over-enthusiastic doctors, NS (24 July 2004), 16. The legacy of Bristol and surgical mistakes are discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 1474-7; 329 (2004), 13, 450-4. The claims
of psychiatric harm caused by medical error are discussed in Modern Law
Review 67 (2004), 561-87. The AMA is
considering to refuse treatment to the families of malpractice lawyers except
in emergencies, BMJ 328 (2004),
1518. A new UK case of murder is being investigated, BMJ 328 (2004), 1393; and a pediatrician was found guilty
of abuse of position, BMJ 328
(2004), 1455. Legal limits to preserve freedoms are discussed in 0&G 104 (2004), 621-2. Efforts to keep the mentally ill
out of jails are discussed in JAMA
292 (2004), 555-6. Illegal medicare ads are discussed in JAMA 292 (2004), 2808. Payment of funds by the company
Wyeth to boost specific medicine use has been found, BMJ 328 (2004), 1515. On whistleblowers, BMJ 329 (2004), 69. Self-referrals of patients is
discussed in CMAJ 170 (2004),
1119-20. Consultation with stakeholders is reviewed in Bioethics 18 (2004), 283-9.
Scientific Ethics
Conflicts of interest are discussed in GeneWatch 17 (July 2004), 12-3; MJA 181 (2004), 4-5; NatMed. 10 (2004), 765; Nature 430 (2004), 280; 431 (2004), 3; NS (26 June 2004), 19; Science 305 (2004), 25-6. The NIH is considering a blanket
ban on drug company consulting by intramural scientists, Science 305 (2004), 1090. Financial incentives for doctors
are discussed in BMJ 328 (2004),
1328-9. Guidelines from the US Dept. of Health and Human Services on financial
relationships and interests in research involving human subjects are reproduced
in BME 198
(May 2004), 9-11; Federal Register (12
May 2004), pp. 26393-7.
Scientific misconduct is discussed in Science and Engineering Ethics 10 (2004), 435-6, 483-92. A paper on prayer and IVF
success is under suspicion following an authors fraud conviction, Nature 429 (2004), 796. A summary of 20 common statistical errors that can be found in biomedical research
articles is Croatian Medical Journal
45 (2004), 361-70. NIH grantees papers may be posted online free after a 6 month delay, Science 305 (2004), 764, 1386, 1548.
On open access to journals, Nature 430 (2004), 390. The removal of a paper on cancer
incidence in IBM workers by Elsevier is being widely criticized, Nature 429 (2004), 687. The question
of anonymity of reviewers is discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 113; and on peer
review, Nature 430 (2004), 7. On PNAS copyright policy, PNAS 101 (2004), 12399.
Research
ethics is discussed in BMJ 329
(2004), 286-7. Cheating in medical students is discussed in J. Nursing 43 (2004), 291-2. On teaching in medical faculty, JAMA 292 (2004), 1060-1. Liability in graduate medical
education is reviewed in JAMA 292
(2004), 1051-6. On harassment cases, Nature 430 (2004), 711. Whistleblowing is discussed in MJA 181 (2004), 36-9. Restrictions on travel of US scientists for WHO is criticized in Science 305 (2004), 1552-3. Ptolemy may have fudged his own
data, NS (17 July 2004), 15. A
report from the December 2003 meeting of COMEST in Brazil and the Rio de Janeiro Declaration on
Ethics in Science and Technology is in Ethically Speaking 3 (July 2004), 23-5.
Euthanasia & Terminal Care
Palliative
seduction at end of life is discussed in Christian Bioethics 9 (Aug. 2003), 343-55. The WHO has called for more
palliative care in Europe, BMJ 329
(2004), 248. A speech on 20 March 2004 by Pope John Paul II defended the
administration of food and water as "a natural means of preserving life,
not a medical act", though it left issues of whether to continue if the
nutrition is no longer absorbed by the body, SEACB Bioethics Newsletter 16 (May 2004), 2-3; HCR 34 (July 2004),18-20. The Popes' paper is
in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 4 (2004), 367-72. Further papers on moral issues at the end of life
and for persons in vegetative
state are in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 4 (2004), 473-584. The appropriate use of opioids for persistent non-cancer pain is discussed in Lancet 364 (2004), 739-40; and on the cannabinoid dronabinol
for MS, BMJ 329 (2004), 253-8. A
comparison of physician commitment in end of life care between New Zealand and the Netherlands is SSM
59 (2004), 775-85.
Ethics of
assisted suicide is discussed in HCR
34 (May 2004), 8-9; (July 2004), 3, 21-31. A review of studies of nurses' attitudes towards assisted suicide is in Nursing
Ethics 11 (2004), 349-65. A UK
assisted suicide case that was dismissed is described in BME 197 (April
2004), 20-1; and on another UK case, BMJ
328 (2004), 1445. A UK patient with a
terminal illness won a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights to
insist that feeding continue even after his quality of life is less than the
GMC standards in the UK, BMJ 329
(2004), 309. A federal appeal court in San Francisco has upheld Oregon's assisted suicide law, BMJ 328 (2004), 1337; Lancet 363 (2004), 1877. Dutch reporting of euthanasia has fallen, BMJ 328 (2004), 1336. In general on euthanasia, Ethics (April 2004), 621-3; JME 30 (2004), 212-7.
The
role of advance statements in psychiatry is argued in BMJ 329 (2004), 122-3. Truth-telling in
advanced dementia in
the Netherlands is assessed in SSM 59 (2004), 1685-93. On the well being of patients with dementia, JAMA 292 (2004), 961-7. On truth-telling from patients in
Canada and Australia, BMJ 328 (2004), 1343-7; and in Peru, Lancet 363 (2004), 1556. Changes in beliefs about cancer from
1964 to 2001 in Australia are positive, MJA 181 (2004), 23-5. The stigma of patients
with lung cancer is reported in BMJ 328 (2004), 1470-3; and on hope in cancer SSM 59 (2004), 1329-37. A US study found no
negative impacts of end
of life discussions in patients, Nursing Outlook 52 (2004), 118-25. A Canadian study of
1000 persons found no affect on survival from cancer from the state of mind,
Cancer DOI: 10.1002/cncr.20472; NS (31 July 2004), 15. On the sociology of death, dying and
bereavement, Sociology of Health & Illness 26 (2004), 110-22. The opinions of
Swedish parents upon their child's death from cancer are reported in Lancet 364 (2004), 787-89, 737. In general on end of life, BMJ 329 (2004), 233. Autonomy in the family
is discussed in Bioethics 18 (2004), 87-103.
Papers
on the mechanisms of aging are in Science 305 (2004), 1369, 1419-31; NS (29 May 2004), 14. Ways to slow down
aging are discussed in Science 304 (2004), 1731; Nature 429 (2004), 149-52. On the risks of suicide under
antidepressants, JAMA
292 (2004), 338-43, 379; BMJ 329 (2004), 34-8.
Security for aged persons in Poland is discussed in Social Indicators
Research 69 (2004),
199-218.
Organ Transplants & Brain Death
The
legal enforcement of xenotransplantation laws in the USA is discussed in J. Law, Medicine & Ethics 31 (Spring 2004), 117-23. International cooperation
in xenotransplants is urged in NatMed.
10 (2004), 119. On artificial
blood, NS (13 March 2004), 8. In
general on Transplants, NEJM 349
(2003), 2177; BMJ 328 (2004), 470.
The
EU has published a new book, Guide to safety and quality assurance for
organs, tissues and cells - 2nd
edition (ISBN: 92-871-5518-6); see also NatBio 21 (2003), 1420. Rabies transmission from organ
transplants in the USA is discussed in Lancet 364 (2004), 648-9. Guidelines for reburial of old
Christian bones are discussed in NS
(15 May 2004), 8. The UK human tissue bill is discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 184; 1510-1; NS (1 May 2004), 4. On ownership of human body parts, Current
Biology 14 (2004), R254-5.
Transplantation for alcoholic liver disease is debated in BMJ 329 (2004), 63-4. A social study on the threat of
rejection after lung transplantation is in SSM 59 (2004), 1473-84.
An
organ trade case involving South
African doctors transplanting kidneys from Brazilians to Israelis is described
in BMJ 329 (2004), 190. An Indian
case is discussed in BMJ 328
(2004), 246; and on Kyrgyzstan, Lancet 362 (2004), 1903. Selling bodies for organ commerce is discussed in NS (13 March 2004), 5. On living donor transplants, NEJM 350 (2004), 1812-4. Allocation of livers is discussed
in JAMA 291 (2004), 1871-4. On
transplant policy stakeholders, Bioethics 17 (No. 4, 2003). Removing HLA-B matching as a priority for allocation
of cadaervis kidneys would reduce racial differences in supply in the USA, NEJM 350 (2004), 545-51. Scotish equity of access to
organs is discussed in BMJ 327
(2003), 1261-3. The use of non-heart beating donors in Canada is described in CMAJ 169 (2003), 302-3. The waiting list for children for
hearts is discussed in Lancet 362
(2003), 1948, 1967-70.
On the ethics of allotransplantation, Les Cahiers du Comite
Consulttatif National d'Ethique 39
(May 2004), 19-32; MJA 180 (2004),
39. The oversight of research involving the dead is reviewed in KIEJ 14 (2004), 143-64. Umbilical cord blood as an
alternative to ES cells is discussed in Sexuality, Reproduction &
Menopause 2 (2004), 64-70.
Endometrial cells derived from donor stem cells are detected in bone marrow transplant recipients, JAMA 292 (2004), 75, 81-5, 104. The growth of a custom
vascularised bone graft for face
reconstruction is reported in Lancet
364 (2004), 766-70, 735-6. The issues for face transplants are discussed in NS (27 Nov. 2003), 10; (29 May 2004), 32-7; BMJ 327 (2003), 1184; Science 303 (2004), 1761. Engineering solutions for repairing
cartilage are discussed in JAMA
292 (2004), 2685-7.
Regrowth of
new teeth from stem cells is expected soon, NS (26 June 2004), 13. Injecting stem cells into persons
who had a heart attack helps, NS (17 July 2004), 14; Lancet 364 (2004), 141+; Nature 428 (2004), 880; Science 304 (2004), 192-4; and on vascular senescence
reversal, Circulation Research 94
(2004), 411-2, 703-5. Injecting immune cells after spinal cord injury may help
recovery, NS (12 June 2004), 12.
Neural tissue engineering is discussed in The Scientist (21 June 2004), 40-2. Adult human brain may not
replace lost neurons because of refusal of incorporation of new cells into an
existing network, Nature 427
(2004), 685-6. On epithelial stem
cells and hair follicles, NatBio 22 (2004), 393-4, 411-7; NS (20 March 2004), 17. Skeletal muscle growth is
reported in NatMed. 9 (2003),
1520-7, 1528-31. Live birth after
an ovarian tissue transplant in rhesus monkeys is reported in Nature 428 (2004), 137-8. On islet transplants, NEJM 350 (2004), 694-705; and on pancreas transplant
survival, JAMA 290 (2003), 2861,
2817-23.
The feeling
of ownership of a limb is analyzed in Science 305 (2004), 875-7. On organogenesis, Nature
Reviews – Genetics 5 (2004),
481. Use of synthetic extracellular matrices for tissue engineering is reported
in Biotechnology & Bioengineering
86 (2004), 27-36. Implants may be
able to get energy from body heat, NS
(12 June 2004), 23. Stem cells can make cancer hard to treat, Economist (10 April 2004), 73. On regenerative medicine, Nature 428 (2004), 607-8, 429 (2004), 30-1; NatBio 22 (2004), 356. Growing replacement organs still will
take much research, SA (May 2004),
12-3; but research to grow human organs using livestock fetuses has begun, NS (20 Dec. 2003), 4-5. Tissue engineering for
bioartificial liver devices is discussed in Science & Medicine 9 (2003), 125-7. Ear implants are reviewed in NS (10 Jan. 2004), 14.
Health Costs
On
healthcare reform in Canada, CQHE 13
(2004), 221-5. Healthcare ethics in Finland is discussed in CQHE 13 (2004), 236-40. A study of nurses'
attitudes towards homeless clients is in Nursing
Ethics 11 (2004), 334-48. Inside
countries there is wide distribution of health, Asada, Y. & Ohkusa, Y.
"Analysis of health-related quality of life (HRQL), its distribution, and
its distribution by income in Japan,
1989 and 1998", SSM 59
(2004), 1423-33. Widening participation to medicine is discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 1433-6, 1508-9; SSM 59 (2004), 1661-76. Health in Asia is discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 1497-9. Gender discrimination in medical
doctors is discussed in Lancet 364
(2004), 555-6. Health equity is discussed in JAMA 292 (2004), 269-71; Bulletin WHO 82 (2004), 482; NEJM 350 (2004), 1486-8. On health economics, Pharmacoeconomics 22 (2004), 551-68, 691-700. Global health and
scientific research is discussed in Philosophy & Public Affairs 32 (2004), 36-65.
A review
paper is Sankar, P. et al. "Genetic research and health disparities", JAMA 291 (2004), 2985-9. Choice and equity are discussed
in BMJ 328 (2004), 1389-90. Aging
and health care costs in Australia
are discussed in MJA 180 (2004),
581-3. International wealth and disparity is discussed in Nature 429 (2004), 601, 616-7. The UN millennium development
goals are challenging, BMJ 329
(2004), 394-7. Humanitarian efforts are discussed in BMJ 329 (2004), 398-400; JAMA 292 (2004), 629-33; Lancet 364 (2004), 562-4, 611. UK prime minister Tony Blair
has pledged 150 million pounds to support and protect AIDS orphans, BMJ 329 (2004), 187. Social networks have been neglected
in medical care and trials so research should be conducted, BMJ 329 (2004), 184-5. On the economics of severe sepsis,
Pharmacoeconomics 22 (2004),
793-813.
Discussions
on the healthcare system include:
China, Bulletin WHO 82 (2004),
532-8; south-east Europe, Bulletin WHO 82 (2004), 539-46; Hungary, Lancet 363 (2004), 1957-60; New Zealand, MJA 181 (2004), 106-7; BMJ 329 (2004), 51;
Poland, Lancet 364 (2004),
235-7; Russia, Lancet 363 (2004), 2150; UK, BMJ 329 (2004), 61-2, 128, 303-5; MJA 181 (2004), 128. The UK chief medical officer has
said that many unnecessary blood transfusions are performed, BMJ 329 (2004), 308. In the USA health is an election
issue, Lancet 363 (2004), 1837. On
migration of health care workers to rich countries, Bulletin WHO 82 (2004), 560-1, 587-94, 595-600, 601-7. Indian
hospitals are attempting to seek foreign patients to boost resources, BMJ 328 (2004), 1338. Asylum seekers are discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 1904; BMJ 328 (2004), 1548-52.
Papers on
the relationship between access to health care and health include BMJ 329 (2004), 318-21; SSM 59 (2004), 1339-53, 1355-65. A study on the
utilization of well-baby visits in Taiwan under national health insurance is SSM 59 (2004), 1647-59. The financing of China's health
care is discussed in Bulletin WHO
82 (2004), 480. Healthy lifestyles in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are discussed
in SSM 60 (2004), 1409-21.
Internet
The Medical Journal of
Australia and Canadian Medical
Association Journal remain on the
Internet for free access. The BMJ
is free for 120 low income countries and otherwise charges a small access fee. EJAIB remains free, rare among bioethics journals. Online
access for free is discussed in Nature 431 (2004), 111.
The use of the web for
telecounseling in Australia is reported in MJA 180 (2004), 604-5. On Email consultations in health, BMJ 329 (2004), 435-8, 439-42.
Prepared by Darryl
Macer
Go back to EJAIB
14 (September 2004)
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