Editorial

- Darryl Macer, Ph.D.

Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba Science City, 305, JAPAN

Eubios Ethics Institute Newsletter 2 (1992), 71.

Some people find it curious that there are two addresses for this newsletter, and the Eubios Ethics Institute. The principle function of the Eubios Ethics Institute is to publish information about bioethics, and to attempt to develop cross cultural approaches to bioethics. It is a nonprofit group, and the only physical facilities is a limited library, and a growing collection of papers - which is added to as the newsletters are made. This collection is open to people to use, for which they should contact myself, in Japan. The publications are registered in New Zealand, my home country. Correspondence can be addressed to the South or North office, with the Japanese address preferred for newsletter correspondence.

I am also asked about Tsukuba. Tsukuba Science City is situated 60km north east of Tokyo, and building began less than 30 years ago and the population of 173,000 is still growing, towards a projected total of about 220,000 in the future. It has an area of 28,560ha, and includes 47 government-run research and educational facilities, including the University of Tsukuba. About half the total Japanese budget for government research institutes is invested in Tsukuba, and more are still being built here. In additional many Japanese and foreign companies have large research facilities in Tsukuba. Therefore it is an interesting place to be, and in the midst of many scientists offers the opportunity to introduce bioethical concerns here. At the university I teach bioethics and biology, also some general bioethics lectures are included among basic biology classes.

The newsletter is circulated to people in about 60 countries of the world. The basic policy is if you can pay than please pay (1993 subscriptions are due); if you cannot pay by money then it is requested that you send some information for the newsletter.

Unlike commercial journals, we encourage photocopying if for nonprofit use* - and this can lessen the work required in the preparation and mailing, which is performed by volunteers. Therefore, you are welcome to photocopy this newsletter, though if publishing excerpts please reference it.

This issue consists only of news topics, there seems to be ever increasing volumes of papers of related interest.

Genetic Testing and Screening Survey

March of Dimes released results of a 1992 US survey of genetic testing, privacy and screening issues. In general results are similar to the 1986 OTA survey, for details contact: Mark Roithmayr, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 1275 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605, USA. Support for personal use of gene therapy has decreased somewhat since 1986, though 90% support gene therapy research. 98% said spouses had a right to be informed of genetic disease, while 58% thought insurance companies also had a right to such information. More in the next issue of the newsletter.

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