Comments are written in text form together with recent references. This list continues from the last issue of EJAIBand will continue. The full list of news (OLD = 1991-1993; NEW = 1994+) is available on-line topic-by-topic, at: http://eubios.info/NBB.html
Comments are written in text form together with
recent references. This list continues from the last issue of
EJAIB and will continue. This list is available
on-line topic-by-topic, at:
http://eubios.info/NBB.html
Genetic Engineering of Plants
Suppression of a P450 hydroxylase gene in plant trichome glands enhances aphid resistance, NatBio 19 (2001), 371-4. On molecular pharming with plant P450s, TIPS 5 (2000), 271-2. On metabolic engineering of plant carotenoids, TIPS 5 (2000), 406-9. There is research into making plants release chemicals when attacked that attract pests of the species eating the plant, Nature 410 (2001), 736-7. A review is de Maagd, RA. Et al. "How Bacillus thuringiensis has evolved specific toxin to colonize the insect world", TIG 17 (2001), 193-9. Plant responses to telomere dysfunction are reviewed in Science 291 (2001), 1797-800. Arabiodopsis may also have lessons for the human genome, Nature 410 (2001), 299. Tree biotechnology has been speed up by genetics, as seen in the case of insertion of two genes from Arabiodopsis which speed up the maturation of citrus trees, NatBio 19 (2001), 215-6; also TIPS 6 (2001), 91-2; GeneWatch 14 (March 2001), 4, 16. Several papers on non-food crops, inclusing trees and cotton are in Biotechnology & Development Monitor 44 (March 2001), 2-12. On microalgae as a source of renewable hydrogen, TIBTECH 18 (2000), 506+. Some critics claim that the benefits of vitamin A enhanced rice will not be so great, Nature 410 (2001), 503; Splice 7 (Jan 2001), 3; see the report on www.grain.org; GenEthics News 30/31 (2000), 10-1. However others believe that it will help, Biotechnology & Development Monitor 44 (March 2001), 18-22. Some indigenous plant foods can also alleviate vitamin A deficiency, Biotechnol. Agron. Soc. Environ. 3 (2000), 169-79. On the value of the rice genome, NatBio 19 (2001), 189-90. A simple test to show that potatoes are free of virus is being used in China to increase sweet potato yield by 40%, NS (3 March 2001), 15. The first cultivated corn may have been around 6500 years ago, NS (17 Feb. 2001), 13. Strategies for improving the nutritional quality of Phaseolus beans through genetic engineering are reviewed in Biotechnol. Agron. Soc. Environ. 3 (1999), 195-6, 233-6. New less toxic grasspeas have been developed, Env. Health Perspectives 108 (2000), A498. Genetic Engineering of Animals A review on the introduction of transgenic fish is FDA Consumer (Jan 2001), 14-20. Some Canadian research suggests transgenic trout are not so easy to produce, NS (17 Feb. 2001), 14. An updated report on the use of GM animals is available fro the Church of Scotland Society Religion and Technology Project. On the ethics of ANDi, the transgenic monkey, ATLA 29 (2001), 1-2. A gene index for cattle is reported in Genome Research 11 (2001), 626-30. Letters on the DNA of domestic horses are in Science 292 (2001), 218-9. A mouse model for Rett syndrome is discussed in Nature Reviews, Genetics 2 (20001), 238-9; Nature Neuroscience 4 (2001), 342-3. Mice lacking exon 23a of Neurofibromatosis 1 gene have learning deficits but normal development and tumour predisposition, NatGen 27 (2001), 399-406. On NIK-deficient mice, Science 291 (2001), 2162-5. A mouse model in the study of DiGeorge syndrome is described in Nature 410 (2001), 97-101. Designer Molecules A DNA shuffling method for generating highly recombined genes and new enzymes is reported in NatBio 19 (2001), 354-9. Enzyme engineering is discussed in TIBTECH 19 (2001), 13+. A consortium of three companies has announced that they will try to identify all human proteins, New York Times (5 April 2001). On the future of nanodoctors, doing microsurgery, Lancet 357 (2001), 778. On synthetic spider silk, TIBTECH 18 (2000), 374+. Bioencapsulation with synthetic polymers is reviewed in TIBTECH 18 (2000), 469+. The biosynthesis of complex polyketides in E.coli is reported in Science 291 (2001), 1790-2. E. coli has been genetically engineered to mass-produce erythromycin, Lancet 357 (2001), 692. The biotechnological potential of microbes that live at high pressure, piezophiles, is reviewed in TIBTECH 19 (2001), 102+. On the use of artificial cells, TIBTECH 18 (2000), 3-5. Structure-based drug design is discussed in GEN 21 (1 April 2001), 10, 13, 55. Biotechnology & the Public The proceedings of the International Conference on Biotechnology in the Global Economy, held at Harvard University, 2-3 Sept. 1999, have been published in Int. J. Biotechnology 2 (2000), 1-273. It includes 18 papers on topics in biosafety, economy, and the paper Aerni, P. & Rieder, P. "Acceptance of modern biotechnology in developing countries: a case study of the Philippines", pp. 115-31. A critique of the precautionary principle is NatBio 19 (2001), 302-3. A paper on GMOs is Tait, J. & Chataway, J. "Technological foresight and environmental precaution _€ Genetically modified crops", pp. 829-37 in Foresight and Precaution, ed. Cottam et al. (Balkema, 2000). A historical review of chimeric creatures in Greek mythology is AJMG 100 (2001), 66-80. A review of Paleolithic technology and human evolution is Science 291 (2001), 1748-53. Preliterate societies rely on wisdom of elders in spoken word, Nature 410 (2001), 521. The social impact of disease on newspaper coverage in the USA is analyzed in J. Health & Social Behavior (2001), 347-66. A paper on further discussion of the International Bioethics Survey is Macer, DRJ. et al. "Attitudes to biotechnology in Asia", Int. J. Biotechnology 2 (2000), 313-32. A UK survey by the Human Genetics Commission has found that 88% of 1000 persons interviewed were confident that new genetic developments will bring cures for many diseases, NatMed 1 (2001), 391. However one third also agreed with the statement that research on human genetics is tampering with nature and is therefore unethical. Three quarters supported the idea that even genetic information gathered by commercial organizations should be publicly owned and available to all for use at no charge. See http://www. Australians are growing more accepting of GM food according to a new survey which found 44% believed GM food would be more widely accepted and less risky over the next few years, AgBiotech Reporter (March 2001), 23. Swiss opinion surveys suggest the proportion expressing disapproval of GM technology has fallen since 1996 to 1999 from 62% to 46%, AgraFood Biotech 51 (March 2001), 23. A study in Ireland is Morris, SH. & Adley, CC. "Irish public perceptions and attitudes to modern biotechnology: an overview with a focus on GM foods", TIBTECH 19 (2001), 43-8. Papers on the risks of biotechnology include Lomax, GP. "From breeder reactors to butterflies: Risk, culture and biotechnology", Risk Analysis 20 (2000), 747-53; Nature 410 (2001), 408. A media study from Australia is Petersen, A. "Biofantasies: genetics and medicine in the print news media", SSM 52 (2001), 1255-68. In a US media study it was found that scientist voices are seldom reported, AgraFood Biotech 49 (21 Feb. 2001), 13. The issue of global risk is discussed in Tait, J. & Bruce, A. "Globalisation and transboundary risk regulation: pesticides and genetically modified crops", Health, Risk and Society 3 (2001), 99-112. On the Frankensteinian image of biotechnology, TIBTECH 19 (2001), 130-1; Human Life Review 26 (Winter 2000), 76-87. Against GMOs is GenEthics News 30/31 (2000), 1, 4-7. A series of papers on technology and risk are in Int. J. Risk Assessment and Management 2 (2001), 1-210. Ecological risk and fairness and justice are modeled in Risk Analysis 20 (2000), 905+. The importation of technological hazards by semiperipheral countries is reviewed in Int. J. Health Services 30 (2000), 681-97. The privatization of risk has resulted in some criticism of epidemiology, AJPH 91 (2001), 365-8. On the complexity of risk assessment studies of GM plants, TIBTECH 19 (2001), 124-5. In general on perceptions of knowledge, Nature 410 (2001), 21. On legal aspects of risk assessment, Medical Law Review 8 (2000), 69-84. A series of papers on intergenerational justice are in Risk Analysis 20 (2000), 759-922. A study from the USA on 5 views from the public on what is good public participation is Environmental Management 27 (2001), 435-50. A review of the Pontifical Academy of Life Sciences is Science 291 (2001), 1472-4. On creation science, Australasian Science (Jan 2001), 1, 36-7; J. History of Biology 33 (2000), 349-70. Regulation & Field Trials of GMOs There has been continued controversy over the false statements of a witness used by the green lobby to the New Zealand Royal Commission, who claimed that a GM bacterium would kill all plants in the world, NatBio 19 (2001), 292; NS (3 March 2001), 11. At the same time as the Royal Commission hearings approvals of GM research has been continuing as announced in the ERMA Bulletin 21 (also on www.ermanz.govt.nz) contrary to what some protest organizations wanted. There has been controversy in Tasmania, Australia as beekeepers were paid to pollinate GE canola plants, although a 100m buffer zone had been recommended in the study, Food Chemical News (12 March 2001), 30. A report from the Canola Council of Canada on the benefits of GE canola is on the www, at www.canola-council.org/manual/GMO/gmo main.html. On the precautionary principle in the regulation of GMOs, Health Law Review 9 (2000), 27-33; Campbell, FT. "The science of risk assessment for phytosanitary regulation and the impact of changing trade regulations", BioScience 51 (2001), 148-53. Italy has approved a GM field trial, but there is still much opposition to GM research, NatBio 19 (2001), 293; NatMed 1 (2001), 388. In Europe, Austria, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy and Luxembourg have continued a virtual moratorium on GMO release for new trials, despite the 16 Feb. 2001 directive from the EU, Research Europe (1 March 2001), Nature 409 (2001), 967-8. The European Commission sent a second warning letter to ten countries for their failure to implement laws on laboratory use of GM microorganisms, on 26 February, 2001 (IP/01/251). Biotech. and seed breeding companies in the UK have agreed not to expand trial site for GMOs until some farm-scale studies are released, AgraFood Biotech 49 (21 Feb. 2001), 8. Bt resistance is not apparently seen in GM cotton in the USA, AgBiotech Reporter (March 2001), 3; AgraFood Biotech 49 (21 Feb. 2001), 12. The question of the economics of Bt is discussed in AgraFood Biotech 51 (March 2001), 23. On Bt uptake from soil by plants, NatBio 19 (2001), 199. Voices against the regulatory scheme in the USA are in GeneWatch 13 (Sept. 2000), 1, 4-7. A Canadian judge has fined a farmer Can$15,450 for growing GM seed that he claimed drifted into the field by the wind, Nature 410 (2001), 615; NS (7 April 2001), 13. The first GM insect field trial in the USA will be in Arizona on pink bollworm, NatBio 19 (2001), 297; Nature 410 (2001), 3. On how the US presidential transition affects biotechnology policy, NatBio 19 (2001), 183-4. The EPA is expected to complete its review of GM crops, Int. Herald Tribune (9 March 2001). An analytical approach to GM crops is presented in TIBTECH 18 (2000), 484-6. On US approaches to the precautionary principle, Food Chemical News (26 Feb. 2001), 8. Rubber trees in Malaysia may soon be producing albumin, AgBiotech Reporter (March 2001), 26. A discussion of retrotransposons as epigenetic mediators of phenotypic variation in mammals is NatGen 27 (2001), 361-6. A book review of Manning, R. Food_fs Frontier. The Next Green Revolution is Science 291 (2001), 1707-8.A paper arguing for GM crops with a poverty focus is TIBTECH 19 (2001), 91-6. Also on GM crops for developing countries, TIBTECH 18 (2000), 404-5. Green biotechnology and European competitiveness is discussed in TIBTECH 19 (2001), 135-9. A critique of organic farming is Nature 410 (2001), 409-10; AgBiotech Reporter (March 2001), 4. A 5 year US study suggests organic farming may protect the soil better than conventional agriculture, NS (21 April 2001), 15. On the increasing affects of invading species in ecosystems, in particular black carp, Science 292 (2001), 169, 203. The problem is global EST 34 (2001), 142A; BioScience 51 (2001), 92-147. In Japan one of the scientists at the National Institute for Infectious Disease has made a legal suit claiming researchers do not follow safety guidelines, Science 291 (2001), 2081. Efforts to deter biowarfare are called for in Science 291 (2001), 2089. The impact of foot mouth disease is very severe, raising fears that someone may use it as biowarfare, NS (21 April 2001), 3. On the management of botulinum toxin should it be used as a biological weapon, JAMA 285 (2001), 1059-70. There is a web-based resource for smallpox research, JAMA 285 (2001), 872-3. Surplus skin from cosmetic surgery in the UK was sold without consent for chemical warfare research, BMJ 322 (2001), 384. A former Russian biowarfare research laboratory may be transformed into a center for research on emerging diseases, including upgrading its level 4 containment facility, Science 291 (2001), 2288-9. Further on the dangers of accidents creating pathogenic animals like the Australian mouse, GeneWatch 14 (March 2001), 1, 15. Vaccines & Diseases In Japan vaccination against influenza has an extra benefit of helping prevent deaths in elderly persons who live with them, as well, NEJM 344 (2001), 889-96. A live Varicella vaccine has been very effective against chicken pox in the USA in the past 5 years, NEJM 344 (2001), 955-60, 1007-9. A California study suggests no link between autism and MMR vaccine, JAMA 285 (2001), 1183-5; as does a UK study, BMJ 322 (2001), 460-3. A UK study finds that the UK accelerated immunization program helps lessen the rate of sudden infant death syndrome, BMJ 322 (2001), 822-5. Exposure to cat allergen can help protect against asthma, Lancet 357 (2001), 752-6; Science 291 (2001), 2547. Efforts to vaccinate children at a younger age before they die of disease are important, Lancet 357 (2001), 1022. Letters on the risks of not vaccinating children are debated in JAMA 285 (2001), 1573-4. On the question of why vaccinate children with hepatitis B first, Int. J. Health Services 30 (2000), 763-9. The global vaccine initiative may create some inequity because the additional vaccines are being sent to countries which already have some vaccination program while others remain with none, BMJ 322 (2001), 754-5. A new vaccine against nosocomial infections is hoped to reduce Staphylococcus aureus infections, JAMA 285 (2001), 1565-6. A major leprosy susceptibility locus in India maps to chromosome 10p13, NatGen 27 (2001), 439-41. New vaccines are needed, Lancet 357 (2001), 203. A mutant measles virus is outbreaking in parts of India causing encephalitis, BMJ 322 (2001), 693. Disease control in the information era is discussed in MJA 174 (2001), 241-3. Some individuals have more infections than others because of genetic determinants, JAMA 285 (2001), 1348-9. Relatives from rich countries who return to visit their relatives in developing countries often get sick, Lancet 357 (2001), 862. Common chronic infection is linked to atherosclerosis, Lancet 357 (2001), 693; NS (31 March 2001), 18. In insecticide resistance and mosquito-borne disease, Lancet 357 (2001), 656. The genome of Anopheles mosquites will be sequenced soon, as will the genome of rat, Nature 410 (2001), 137; Science 291 (2001), 1873. Glaxosmithkline and WHO have joined to work on a new malaria drug, Lancet 357 (2001), 781. African malaria vectors are found in European aircraft, Lancet 357 (2001), 235. The prescribing habits of private doctors in Bombay may not be aiding the epidemic of malaria, SSM 52 (2001), 885-909. The impounded equipment of Manuel Patarroyo will be donated back to a new institute he is founding in Colombia, Nature 410 (2001), 295. A historical report on smallpox in Mauritius in 1792 is Social History of Medicine 13 (2000), 411-28. Appendectomy before 20 years of age is associated with a lower risk of ulcerative colitis, NEJM 344 (2001), 808-14. Tests for vCJD are discussed in NatMed. 7 (2001), 261, 289-90, 361-5; JAMA 285 (2001), 732-4; NS (3 March 2001), 13. Complement may have a role in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, NatMed 1 (2001), 410-1. The German health and agriculture ministers resigned over handling of the BSE crisis, Lancet 357 (2001), 207. Canada silenced scientists that spoke out about BSE, Lancet 357 (2001), 618. In general on vCJD in the UK, Lancet 357 (2001), 937, 1002-7; BMJ 322 (2001), 841. Lessons from BSE and vCJD for Australia are discussed in MJA 174 (2001), 160-1; and for the USA, Science 291 (2001), 1859. Scrapie is discussed in NS (31 March 2001), 3-5. New Zealand has accused Germany over the distribution of a pamphlet to all households in Germany saying that New Zealand had scarpie, when in fact there has never been a case, Christchurch Press (12 March 2001), 9. On evolution of yeast prions, TIG 17 (2001), 167-9; and species barriers, Nature 410 (2001), 161-2. BSE poses dangers for endangered birds of prey, Nature 410 (2001), 408. On the foot and mouth outbreak in the UK, Nature 410 (2001), 727. It was caused by feeding left over human food to pigs, and that food included some meat that was contaminated, NS (17 March 2001), 11. Over 1000 cases were found in the UK, but 100 times that of healthy animals were killed, Nature 410 (2001), 398, 501, 515-6, 620; NS (3 March 2001), 3-5; (24 March 2001), 6; (31 March 2001), 16-7; BMJ 322 (2001), 565-6. The disease is found in many countries, Science 291 (2001), 1677. The UK newspapers have been full of details of the containment and slaughter campaign. There have been calls to vaccinate animals, especially rare and endangered breeds, NS (7 April 2001), 17. The US is trying to maintain its borders free, Science 291 (2001), 2298-30. Tetracycline resistance gene has been found in soil bacteria after passing from pig gut bacteria from pigs treated with antibiotics, NS (21 April 2001), 4. On antibiotic resistance genes, Lancet 357 (2001), 853-5; FDA Consumer (Jan. 2001), 10-1; Science 291 (2001), 1915-6, 2550-2. Controlling infection in British infection homes is discussed in BMJ 322 (2001), 506. A mutator E. coli may accelerate the development of new diseases, Lancet 357 (2001), 1021. AIDS & Sexually Transmitted Diseases The question of funding HIV treatment and reducing costs of antiviral AIDS medicines is addressed in Science 292 (2001), 221-3; BMJ 322 (2001), 447, 635; Scrip Magazine (Feb 2001), 76-7; (March 2001), 20-1. Experts differ in the wisdom of selling cheap anti-HIV drugs to developing countries, Nature 410 (2001), 615-6. On the ethics of patenting anti-HIV drugs, Pacific Rim and Policy J. 9 (2000), 445+. The US has threatened Brazil through WTO because it is providing free anti-HIV drugs in Brazil, BMJ 322 (2001), 383. The Indian company Cipla is offering anti-HIV drugs at US$350 a year, Lancet 357 (2001), 616. Bristol-Myers Squibb has said it will sell the drugs just below cost price, to South Africa, extending deals it has with Senegal, Uganda, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Mali, with UN programs, BMJ 322 (2001), 692. This follows court cases against the South African government, Lancet 357 (2001), 775. Poverty is related to HIV prevalence, Lancet 357 (2001), 636-7. A study on the cost effectiveness of the therapy in a USA setting, NEJM 344 (2001), 824-31, 520-1, 844-6. A survey in the US found that monthly costs in 1997 had decreased to about US$1360 per person from early 1996, NEJM 344 (2001), 817-23. Survival times have improved during the treatment era, JAMA 285 (2001), 1308-15. There is also direct to the consumer advertising of drugs to HIV patients, BMJ 322 (2001), 804. China has opened its drug market by revising the pharmaceutical law, Lancet 357 (2001), 942. The UNAIDS protocol to identify discrimination against persons with HIV has been found to be useful in Switzerland, SSM 52 (2001), 1525-35. A Scottish criminal trial has used a confidential blood sample in a criminal trial to convict someone of intentionally infecting their girlfriend, Nature 410 (2001), 402; BMJ 322 (2001), 633. The rights of persons with HIV in Quebec are discussed in Health Law J. 8 (2000), 143-76. Anonymous testing for HIV in TB cases is discussed in Lancet 357 (2001), 888. The impact of AIDS on older persons in Thailand is reported in SSM 52 (2001), 1313-27. On the management of prisoners infected with HIV-1 in the UK, BMJ 322 (2001), 398-9. Public policy for health care workers infected with HIV is discussed in JAMA 285 (2001), 882. Results of interviews with 30 long term survivors of HIV (ten years) who were not receiving therapy are discussed in Sociology of Health & Illness 23 (2001), 159-79. A series of papers on AIDS are in Nature 410 (2001), 961-1007. The South African panel set up to investigate the link between HIV and AIDS has released a report that will allow HIV testing in AIDS campaigns there, Nature 410 (2001), 730. Efforts have to be made to reduce HIV transmission in developing countries, Science 292 (2001), 225-6. The UN has strengthened calls against AIDS, JAMA 285 (2001), 1283. A review of HIV infection in women in the USA, who accounted for 18% of AIDS cases in 1999, JAMA 285 (2001), 1186-92. Spanish sex workers have been forced to carry health check cards, BMJ 322 (2001), 814. The timing of transmission is important in order to understand the disease, JAMA 285 (2001), 709-12. Breast feeding appears to be safer than mixed feeding for babies of HIV mothers, BMJ 322 (2001), 511. On HIV and infertility, BMJ 322 (2001), 566-7. On HIV vaccines, Lancet 357 (2001), 223-4, 860, 1024; NS (7 April 2001), 50; Science 291 (2001), 1686-8. Human herpesvirus 8 is also transmitted through needle sharing, NEJM 344 (2001), 637-43. Selective risk taking among needle exchange participants is seen in network members who change, AJPH 91 (2001), 406-11. A methadone maintenance program was associated with less risk taking for HIV transfer, J. Behav. Med. 23 (2000), 545+. India will make hepatitis C testing compulsory in all blood banks form 1 June, Lancet 357 (2001), 863. On hepatitis C detection, Lancet 357 (2001), 577. Some drug addicts face barriers to treatment of hepatitis C, JAMA 285 (2001), 1003-5. New HIV therapy guidelines in the USA have been released, JAMA 285 (2001),1281. Microbes & Pollution Remedies A review of metal-binding proteins in bioremediation is TIBTECH 19 (2001), 67-73. On biomonitorring and bioremediation, TIBTECH 19 (2001), 7-8. Anaerobic sulphur reducing microbes in the earth_fs crust may be useful to combat air pollution, Australasian Science (Sept. 2000), 14. On anaerobic bioremediation, TIBTECH 18 (2000), 408+. Industrial wastewater bioreactors can produce novel microorganisms for biotechnology, TIBTECH 18 (2000), 501+. Environmental Issues Virtue is discussed in Cafaro, P. "Thoreau, Leopold and Carson: Toward an environmental virtue ethics", Env. Ethics 23 (2001), 3-18. Ecofeminism is discussed in Env. Ethics 23 (2001), 19-36. On promotion of individual autonomy in environmental ethics, Env. Ethics 22 (2000), 73-84. On environmental security, EST 34 (2001), 109-13A. Environment as cultural heritage is discussed in Env. Ethics 22 (2000), 241-8. On Islamic environmentalism, Env. Ethics 22 (2000), 63-72. On sustainability of agriculture, Tisdell, C. "Coevolution, agricultural practices and sustainability: some major social and ecological issues", Int. J. Agricultural Resources 1 (2000), 6; Pretty, J. "Towards sustainable food and farming systems in industrialized countries", Int. J. Agricultural Resources 1 (2000), 77-94. Farming may cause more damage than global warming, NS (21 April 2001), 11; Ruhl, JB. "Farms, their environmental harms, and environmental law", Ecology Law Quarterly 27 (2000), 263-350; Tilman, D. et al. "Forecasting agriculturally driven global environmental change", Science 292 (2001), 281-7. On land rights in China, Pacific Rim Law & Policy J. 9 (2000), 553-68. There are conflicting reports on the impact of organic farming, a positive report is Australasian Science (Oct. 2000), 23-4. There is some compromise needed between the cowboy way of life and conservation, BioScience 51 (2001), 85-90. A series of 7 papers are in the first issue of Int. J. Water 1 (2000), 1-144. Included is a paper Dawson, RM. "The genesis of the New Zealand Parliaments Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act, 1992", pp. 80-101. On the environmental imperative, Science & Christian Belief 13 (2001), 2-4. A UK strategy to increase clean water supplies is in BMJ 322 (2001), 626-7, 756. An interview with Dai Qing an activist opposing the Chinese Three Gorges dam project is in NS (7 April 2001), 42-5. A new paint has been developed that changes colour with temperature, and thus may change the energy use inside the house to combat global warming, NS (21 April 2001), 20. Comments on President Bush's rejection of the Kyoto Protocol are in Nature 410 (2001), 133, 401, 499, 616; BMJ 322 (2001), 690, 813; NS (24 March 2001), 3-4; (7 April 2001), 11; Science 291 (2001), 2095-6, 2515, 2549. The Protocol should be ratified by countries emitting at least 55% of the 1990 emissions of carbon dioxide. A book review on the collapse of the Kyoto Protocol is Nature 410 (2001), 750-1. On dispute resolution under the Kyoto Protocol, Ecology Law Quarterly 27 (2000), 53-134. As the global temperature increases there is rising uncertainty in predicting climate change, Science 292 (2001), 192-3; Nature 410 (2001), 649-50; Australasian Science (March 2001), 14-5. Climate change has been observed in the oceans Science 292 (2001), 270-4. Intact rainforests can be a carbon sink for a century of more, Nature 410 (2001), 429. Better data are needed, Nature 410 (2001), 287. On carbon sequestation, EST 34 (2001), 98-9A, 148-53A; Australasian Science (Nov. 2000), 19-20. A report from a German insurance company Munich Re suggests that the damages caused by global warming will cost the world more than US$300 billion annually by the year 2050, EST 34 (2001), 143A. A call to use technology to reduce climate change is NS (10 March 2001), 3, 12. Sustainable energy is discussed in Science 291 (2001), 1899. Climate change will also affect human health according to a UN report (www.ipcc.ch), BMJ 322 (2001), 386; Lancet 357 (2001), 696. On the effects of volcanic air pollution on health, Lancet 357 (2001), 164. Public concern for environmental health is reviewed in AJPH 91 (2001), 559-62. A study of the Meuse Valley fog of 1930 is in Lancet 357 (2001), 704-8; and on smog in Donora, Pennsylvania, AJPH 91 (2001), 553. Air pollution increases systolic blood pressure, possibly due to change in cardiovascular autonomic control, AJPH 91 (2001), 571-7. Early migrating birds may miss food and may be a casualty of climate change, Science 291 (2001), 2532. Pinus halepensis forests may grow faster through climate change, Global & Planetary Change 26 (2000), 405-21. A paper on removal of CFCs by increased mass exchange between the stratosphere and troposphere in a changing climate suggests the levels will drop 5 to 10 years earlier than predicted, Nature 410 (2001), 799-802. A study in the USA found difference in attitudes to sun protection and sunbathing, Health Psychology 19 (2000), 469-78. There can be long term effects from acid rain as seen in US ecosystems, Science 292 (2001), 195-6. Despite reductions in emission of particulate matter and lead in the USA, NOx is increasing over the past 30 years, EST 34 (2001), 105A. There are questions on the deregulation of coal ash in the USA, Env. Health Perspectives 108 (2000), A496. On particulate emission from biomass combustion, Nature 409 (2001), 998; Science 291 (2001), 2128-32. Catalysis of pollution is discussed in EST 34 (2001), 138-9A. On the impact of mountain biking on vegetation in a deciduous forest, Environmental Management 27 (2001), 397-409. It recommends people stay on bike trails. Most people in USA carry traces of toxins in their blood, like plastics, pesticides, and heavy metals, according a CDC survey Int. Herald Tribune (23 March 2001).A letter on Bhopal disaster is Lancet 357 (2001), 809-10. Environmental health in Brazil may be turning to become better, Env. Health Perspectives 108 (2000), A504-11. The poisoning of Costa Rican banana workers is reported in Int. J. Health Services 30 (2000), 491-514. A study of the claims from both sides in the debate over whether organochlorines cause breast cancer is SSM 52 (2001), 1589-605. The risks of pesticide regulation are analyzed in Risk Analysis 20 (2000), 665+; BMJ 322 (2001), 497. On the global concentration of PCBs in butter, the lowest levels are in Australasia, EST 34 (2001), 1013-8. Some loss of methylmercury may occur from Canadian lakes under the high UV and drought conditions, EST 34 (2001), 97-8A. On the dangers of perfluorinated chemicals, EST 34 (2001), 154-60A. Ecological risk assessment of endocrine disruptors is discussed in Env. Health Perspectives 108 (2000), 1007-14. On trichloroethylene, MJA 174 (2001), 244-7. DNA arrays are being used to assess damages from chemicals in the environment, Env. Health Perspectives 109 (2001), A20-1. Biodiversity A paper on ethical issues is Posey, DA. "Cultural and spiritual values of biodiversity: A complementary contribution to the global biodiversity assessment", Honey Bee 12 (March 2001), 16-9. On French Natural History, Nature 410 (2001), 303-4. Economic value of biodiversity is discussed in a book review in Nature 410 (2001), 751-2. On the scientific aspects, Pachepsky, E. et al. "Toward a general theory of biodiversity", Nature 410 (2001), 923-6. Letters on the complexity of risk of extinction are in Science 292 (2001), 217-8. Tourism is further threatening pandas in China, Newsweek (16 April 2001), 44; and poaching is killing elephants in India, NS (10 March 2001), 46-9. On rhino conservation, NS (24 Feb. 2001), 17. A call for DNA technology and cloning to bring back the Dodo to Mauritius is in Financial Times (14 April 2001), Weekend XV. In general see, Australasian Science (August 2000), 26-7. A review roundtable discussion is James, A. et al. "Can we afford to conserve biodiversity?", BioScience 51 (2001), 43-52. On ecosystem services, Science 291 (2001), 2047. Conservation conflicts across Africa are reviewed in Science 291 (2001), 2616-9; Nature 410 (2001), `2529-60. Medicinal plants may be close to urban settlements, not just in rainforests, NS (24 March 2001), 18; J. Ethnopharmacology 75 (2001), 19; Lancet 357 (2001), 938. On the complex causes of amphibian population declines, Nature 410 (2001), 639-40, 681-4. All members of society must work together to save biodiversity, Nature 410 (2001), 14. Ecologists have claimed a victory in the agreement after many protests to open the dyke gates and let water come back into Isahaya Bay in Japan, Nature 410 (2001), 619. The European Union is asking to increase by 60% its catch from the West African fishing grounds, which may kill off those grounds like the North Sea, NS (31 March 2001), 19. China is burning much wood from forests of surrounding regions, NS (3 March 2001), 17. Indonesia is still losing many forests, and on corruption there, Nikkei Weekly (9 April 2001), 1. On community management of aboriginal forestry in Canada, Osgoode Hall Law J. 37 (2000), 711-74. The UK has set up a gene bank to protect rare sheep breeds, in light of the foot and mouth disease outbreak, Nature 410 (2001), 858. The fires (pyres) from the burning animals may be emitting more pollutants than all the factories of the UK this year, The Independent (22 April 2001), 1. _@ Animal Rights The question of whether Japanese macaques are threatened by neuroscience research is raised in Nature Neuroscience 4 (2001), 335. In Germany a 400 page list of scientists who work with animals has been published as part of a scar campaign, Nature 410 (2001), 857. In the UK some companies have expressed concern over the activities against animal experiments, and the Huntingdon Life Sciences, Nature 410 (2001), 733. The director of that lab. was attacked by a group, Nature 410 (2001), 8. On USDA regulations to use lab. animals, JAMA 285 (2001), 941. On animal testing in India, Lancet 357 (2001), 885-6. Animal research in the post genome era may increase as models increase for human disease, Lancet 357 (2001), 817. Sweden has backed a ban on animal tested cosmetics, European Voice (5 April 2001), 3. On fur farming for mink, Nature 410 (2001), 35-6. On Heidegger and animal welfare, Env. Ethics 22 (2000), 259-71. Assessing the welfare state is discussed in Nature 410 (2001), 31-2. In Japan the child chimpanzee Ayumu is learning Japanese characters from his mother Ai, Science 292 (2001), 205. The question of how the genome alters the view humans have of themselves and other species is discussed in Science 291 (2001), 1219-20. The Biomedical Primate Research Centre in the Netherlands, which houses 1000 chimps is to be targeted for closure by animal welfare groups, Nature 410 (2001), 506. On the chimp genome project, Science 291 (2001), 2297; NS (17 Feb. 2001), 18. A book review of de Waal, F. The Ape and the Sushi Master (Basic Books 2001) is NS (7 April 2001), 49. A discussion of orangutans is NS (3 March 2001), 26-31. On monkeys and humans, Science 291 (2001), 1705-6. Primate research will soon be ended as animals become extinct, Nature Neuroscience 4 (2001), 111. Development of moral sense is discussed in NS (3 March 2001), 38-42. A new branch to the dolphin family tree has been added, Science 291 (2001), 2531-2. New Zealand continues to push for a South Pacific whale sanctuary to the IWCC and Japan rejects it. On the cultural life of whales, NS (24 March 2001), 26-31. There is no pain if no brain, Lancet 357 (2001), 939. Animal belief is discussed in Philosophy 75 (2000), 587-598. On memes and minds and evolution, Philosophy 75 (2000), 161-82. A new book is Roell, D.R., The World of Instinct. Niko Tinbergen and the Rise of Ethology in the Netherlands (1920-1950), (Van Gorcum 2000, 242pp.). The career of Niko Tinbergen is traced to the development of ethology, and behavioral sciences. Human flesh is on sale in Moldova, Japan Times (14 April 2001), 14. On cannibalism, NS (3 March 2001), 54. Safety of Recombinant DNA Products In Europe a shortage of facilities to grow microorganisms may create a bottleneck for the production of products which are expected to be approved, NatBio 19 (2001), 184-5. A positive result for use of recombinant human activated protein C for severe sepsis is reported in NEJM 344 (2001), 699-709. In general on genomics and cancer therapy, NatMed. 7 (2001), 283-5. Lymph growth factors are being researched as new anticancer substances, SCRIP 2625 (14 March 2001), 27. On gene inhibitors (chemical) to treat cancers, NEJM 344 (2001), 841-2, 1084-5. Food safety On GM food safety, SA (April 2001), 38-51. To avoid further Starlink-like contamination, the US EPA has announced that no further GM products will be approved for animal feed unless they also are approved for human consumption, NatBio 19 (2001), 298-9. Japan has set a 5% upper limit on the GM corn that can be included in non GM corn by label, Nature 410 (2001), 507. A comment on voluntary labeling of GM food is Ram's Horn 188 (Feb. 2001), 1-2. Opposing views on GM food also include Splice 7 (Jan 2001), 4-7; or RAFI Communique #67, on the www.rafi.org; GeneWatch 13 (Sept. 2000), 10-5; 14 (March 2001), 2-3. A review of the UK Food Standards Agency is Nature 410 (2001), 867-8. Disease Risks & Drugs A new book in English and Japanese is Lagakos, SW. & Takeuchi, M., eds. Bridging Strategies. Extrapolating Data to New Regions for Drug Development, which is the proceedings of the First Kitasato University-Harvard School of Public Health Symposium, Clinical Evaluation 28 (Suppl. XV. 2001, 219pp.). A review of the therapeutic opportunities in polyglutamine disease is NatMed 1 (2001), 418-23. On the epidemic of allergies in modern times, Pathways 2 (April 2001), 42-5. A book review on the smoking industry, Kessler, D. A Question of Intent (Public Affairs, 2001, 491pp.) is in NatMed 1 (2001), 401. A cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk5) may dampen the effects of cocaine, Science 292 (2001), 236-7. Patenting & Business The proceedings of the International Conference on Biotechnology in the Global Economy, held at Harvard University, 2-3 Sept. 1999, have been published in Int. J. Biotechnology 2 (2000), 1-273. Also on biobusiness see a study from Brazil in Int. J. Biotechnology 2 (2000), 374-90. A discussion of recent patents in food technology found that 7 Japanese companies made up the top 8 positions in 1988-1997 in the Derwent patent database, NatBio 19 (2001), 383-4. In general on gene patents, TIBTECH 18 (2000), 405-6, 480; 19 (2001), 4-5, 49-52; Nature 409 (2001), 763-4; Northwestern Univ. Law Review 95 (2001), 691-707; Ram's Horn 183 (Aug. 2000), 1-3; Splice 7 (Jan 2001), 10-11. Efforts are being made to provide free human cDNA copies of every gene to speed up research, Nature 410 (2001), 289-90. Affymetrix has settled a patent dispute with Oxford Gene Technology over DNA arrays, Science 291 (2001), 2535. In Japan academics no longer have any limit on financial earnings from a patent they hold, Nature 410 (2001), 504; and there is a new shift to goal orientated research, Nature 410 (2001), 7. On biotechnology in Africa, Nature 410 (2001), 865. In general on partnerships in science between rich and poor countries, Nature 410 (2001), 741. On biotech in Asia, Far Eastern Economic Review (19 April, 2001), 32-4. Comments on Chinese science policy are in Nature 410 (2001), 1. Criticism of selling wildlife in Asia to companies is Splice 7 (Jan 2001), 16-7. A review of the development of biopharmaceuticals is NatBio 19 (2001), 307-11; Stud. Hist. Phil. Biol. & Biomed. Sci. 32 (2001), 191-201; Scrip Magazine (Feb. 2001), 59-61. In Europe biotech companies are launching a further publicity campaign to say how safe GM products are, with 5 million Euros, European Voice (8 March 2001), 5. The ownership of blood collected from umbilical cords and placentas is debated in SA (April 2001), 32-7. A review on organ sales is Mahoney, JD. "The market for human tissue", Virginia Law Review 86 (2000), 163-223. A commentary on academic relations with industry is JAMA 285 (2001), 933-5. On the NIH and patents, BioCentury (9 April 2001), A1-7. US trade regulations and the environment are discussed in Env. Health Perspectives 108 (2000), A566-9. A review of the WTO panel decision on Australian salmon import guidelines, Pacific Rim Law and Policy J. 9 (2000),473-506. In the Netherlands Merck Sharp and Dohne has been fined for excessive hospitality, BMJ 322 (2001), 382. A paper looking at the influence of drug companies advertising programs on physicians is Int. J. Health Services 30 (2000), 585-95; also MJA 174 (2000), 200. Societal responsibilities of clinical trial sponsors are discussed in BMJ 322 (2001), 569-70. The US company Genentech is now again profiting from sales of drugs, Financial Times (14 April, 2001), 8. There is increasing amounts of money for biomedical research from persons who became rich in the biotech. boom in California, Nature 410 (2001), 140-3. A review of the restructuring of life science companies and seed and pesticide companies is in Biotechnology & Development Monitor 44 (March 2001), 26-30. Birth Control The UNDP has predicted the global population will be 9 billion by 2050, Lancet 357 (2001), 864; Nature 410 (2001), 631-2. The Indian population policy is discussed in Int. J. Health Services 30 (2000), 675-80. In Delhi there are 60 vasectomies per 1000 tubectomies (See Eubios Daily News on-line). A book review on Male Bodies is Health & Place 7 (2001), 63-5. The masculinity of birth registrations in Australia may reveal some biased registration in 1880-1915, Health & History 2 (2000), 144-59. The question of whether long term estrogen rely does increase ovarian cancer rate is discussed in JAMA 285 (2001), 1460-5; Time (16 April, 2001), 62. A study on the health risks of third generation oral contraceptives may have been keep secret by the drug company Wyeth, Lancet 357 (2001), 779; BMJ 322 (2001), 571. A 20 microgram oral contraceptive is available in the USA, F&S 78 (2001), 457-65. Longer reproductive period does not reduce dementia risks, JAMA 285 (2001), 1475-81. A letter on emergency contraception in Chile is in Lancet 357 (2001), 809-10. A study of factors associated with hysterectomy in Australia is Health & Place 6 (2000), 301-8. Medicalization of female circumcision is discussed in SSM 52 (2001), 1013-28. Also on circumcision, BMJ 322 (2001), 680. On rape as a war crime, Lancet 357 (2001), 737. A book review of The natural history of Rape is Lancet 357 (2001), 727-8 A study of violence towards female prostitutes in the UK is BMJ 322 (2001), 524-5. On prostitution in the literature, Women & Criminal Justice 11 (2000), 29+. A book review on The Technology of Orgasm is J. Health Politics, Policy and Law 25 (2000), 598-601. Laws in sex in different countries range widely, for example, 8 countries still have a death penalty for homosexuality, and 4 countries for adultery, BMJ 322 (2001), 623. Embryo Status There have been continued attacks on the decision to allow RU486 use in the USA, Probe 9 (April 2001), 2. A judge has allowed an Internet site to provide lists of names of doctors who perform abortions in the USA, BMJ 322 (2001), 818. Selective feticide of an affected fetus in the second trimester has comparable risks to those in the first trimester, Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001), 125-37. There is controversy over a new law in the USA which ascribes rights to fetuses against assault, Lancet 357 (2001), 944. A book review of The Abortion Debate in the World Arena is SSM 52 (2001), 1474-6. Given that 1 in 65 women who are pregnant in the developing world die, groups are urging Bush to lift the ban on US support of international population control groups that offer abortion, BMJ 322 (2001), 636-7. A US court has awarded damages to clinics and patients who were harassed by protestors. Australian abortion law, UNSW Law J. 23 (2001), 1-34; Queensland Lawyer 21 (2000), 65-73. Abortion, autonomy and prenatal diagnosis are discussed in Social & Legal Studies 9 (2000), 485-94. A comment on the status of the embryo in Church history is Bioethics Research Notes 12 (June 2000), 13-5. There has been much debate on the use of fetal cells for brain implants following the initial results of the Parkinson disease trials, Freed, CR. et al. "Transplantation of embryonic dopamine neurons for severe Parkinson_fs disease", NEJM 344 (2001), 710-9, 763-5; NS (24 March 2001), 10-1; Nature 410 (2001), 401; Science 291 (2001), 2060-1; NatMed. 7 (2001), 381; Nature Reviews, NeuroScience 2 (20001), 219; NatBio 19 (2001), 287; Lancet 357 (2001), 204, 859. On a French newspaper breaking an embargo on a news story on the benefits of neural grafts, Lancet 357 (24 March 2001). Neuron transplants may alter some types of learned responses, in rat studies, Nature 410 (2001), 314-5. A review on separating Siamese twins is Annas, GJ. "Conjoined twins _€ The limits of law at the limits of life", NEJM 344 (2001), 1104-8. Contrasting ethical views are debated in HCR 31 (Jan. 2001), 48-52. Progress after head separation of two Nepalese twins at 9 months in Singapore is said to be good, Japan Times (14 April 2001), 4. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Criticism of the groups that claim they will make cloned human babies is in Nature 410 (2001), 293, 617; Science 291 (2001), 2552; NS (17 March 2001), 3; NatMed. 7 (2001), 257. Italy has ratified a human ban on human cloning, in mid-March 2001, in response to the proposals to clone a human there. On discussion of the ethics of cloning, CQHE 10 (2001), 194-208. Discussion of stem cell research is in NatMed 1 (2001), 393-9, 412-3; JME 26 (2000), 166-70; Wisconsin Law Review (2000), 855-884; JAMA 285 (2001), 1439-40; Splice 7 (Jan 2001), 12-3; HCR 31 (Jan. 2001), 9-23. The opinion of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies to the European Commission of Nov. 2000 on ethics of stem cell research is in BME 165 (Feb. 2001), 20-22. A Canadian Institute of Health Research Panel has backed stem cell research, Nature 410 (2001), 620; as has the French National Ethics Committee, SCRIP 2617 (14 Feb. 2001), 3; and the Danish Council of Ethics, Lancet 357 (2001), 780. On US policy, NatMed. 7 (2001), 263; NS (24 Feb. 2001), 4-5. a At least 20 Australians have said they want their bodies to be cloned again, Christchurch Press (17 March 2001), 19. New Zealand does not have laws against cloning, Christchurch Press (13 March 2001), 1, 11; (14 March 2001), 5. There have been reports of the use of ART to implant the Japanese crown princess with a embryo in the reported pregnancy of March 2001, in overseas newspapers, Independent (22 April 2001), 1, 19; however the mainstream Japanese media is avoiding the story for now. A discussion of Spain's Constititional court and assisted reproduction is Law and Human Genome Review 11 (1999), 15-24. Access to ART by lesbian and single women in Australia is reviewed in Skene, L> "Voices in the ART access debate", Monash Bioethics Review 20 (2001), 9-23; Australasian Science (Sept. 2000), 1, 15; Sydney Law Review 22 (2000), 625-35. Israel is allowing any women to donate eggs, under a new law, BMJ 322 (2001), 816. A study of the use of sperm from high IQ persons is discussed in the free online magazine Slate, Science 291 (2001), 1893. The question of sex selective abortion is discussed in New Zealand Bioethics J. 2 (2001), 9-16. On the German embryo protection act, Social & Legal Studies 9 (2000), 220-26. The question of whether ICSI is an indicator for preimplantation diagnosis is reviewed in Ludwig, M. et al. "Is Intracytoplasmic sperm injection itself an indication to perform preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)?", Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy 16 (2001), 68-83. Survival of males with birth defects and the increased rate of recurrence of defects in children is reported in JAMA 285 (2001), 75-60. Mutations in the follicle stimulating hormone receptor may not be a common cause of familial dizygotic twinning, Lancet 357 (2001), 773-4; 735. The use of 2 over 3 embryos for a transfer and oocyte donation is recommended in F&S 75 (2001), 510-3. On the ethics of IVF for older women, Nursing Ethics 8 (2001), 152-8. Poor embryo quality may be mainly due to the egg, F&S 75 (2001), 466-7. Embryo score is a better predictor of pregnancy than the number of transferred embryos, F&S 75 (2001), 525-31. Fetal Environment & Neonates C677T Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is not a risk factor for preeclampsia in Australian women, Human Heredity 51 (2001), 20-2. An Italian study found that partners of pesticide applicators in Rome had 4-7 times the spontaneous abortion rate because of contaminated clothing, Eur. J. Epidemiology 16 (2000), 391-3; Environment & Health News 5(1) (Autumn 2000), 23. Genetic Disease Markers A report from mutation studies in nacroleptic dogs that do not sleep, is Genome Research 11 (2001), 509-12, 531-9. Results of a genomic study of coliac disease, Ann. Hum. Genet. 64 (2000), 479-90. Intercontinental studies of Alzheimer disease find lower incidence in Nigeria than in African-Americans are in JAMA 285 (2001), 739-47, 796-8. A review on behavioural genetics is Science 291 (2001), 1232, 1249. Brain imaging studies are starting to profile criminal psychology, Nature 410 (2001), 296-8. Brain scans may be able to pick up early signs of schizophrenia, NS (24 Feb. 2001), 23. There may not be an increase in autism as many believe, NS (17 Feb. 2001), 17; The Economist (24 March 2001), 109. In general on genetic diseases studies in the postgenomic era, Science 291 (2001), 1224-9; NS (17 Feb. 2001), Inside Science (138) 1-4. On violence and self _€hate or self-love, SA (April 2001), 82-7. Memory repression is discussed in Nature 410 (2001), 319. On genetics and pitch, Science 291 (9 March 2001). A review on phenotype-genotype relationships in thalassemia and other monogenic diseases is Nature Reviews, Genetics 2 (20001), 245-55. On Rett syndrome and MECP2 gene, JMG 38 (2001), 217-23. A review of connexin mutations in skin disease and hearing loss is AJHG 68 (2001), 559-68. A mutation in surfactant protein C gene is associated with familial interstitial lung disease, NEJM 344 (2001),573+. On CF mutations, Nature 410 (2001), 94-7. On CD36 and coronary heart disease, Lancet 357 (2001), 651-2. Resistin liks obesity to type 2 diabetes, Lancet 357 (2001), 202. On asthma and diabetes, Lancet 357 (2001), 607-8. Characterization of clustered MHC-linked olfactory receptor genes in mice and humans is reported in Genome Research 11 (2001), 519-30. A report from the epidemiology and genetics of obesity in the island of Kosrae, Micronesia, is Human Heredity 51 (2001), 8-19. There is much discussion on research on obesity, NatMed 1 (2001), 387. Also on obesity, pp. 35-40. Fanconi anemia is linked to BRCA1, NatMed 1 (2001), 406-7. Profiling breast cancer is discussed in NatMed 1 (2001), 408-9; NEJM 344 (2001), 539-48. Inhibiting HER2 to treat breast cancer is discussed in NEJM 344 (2001), 841-2. In general on the genome and cancer, NEJM 344 (2001), 601-2; Nature 410 (2001)m 536-7. The DNA repair gene MGMT is related to the clinical response of gliomas to alkylating agents, NEJM 344 (2001),686-9. A general review on hunting for human disease in the postgenomic age is Science 291 (2001), 1224-9. On consanguinity in South America, Human Heredity 51 (2001), 27-34. A review on the genesis of aneuplody is Nature Reviews, Genetics 2 (20001), 280-91. On genes and senescent cells, TIBTECH 19 (2001), 83-4. Genetic Screening Methodology A method to detect single base mismatch using gold-quenched florescent oligonucleotides is up to 100 fold enhanced as a detection method, NatBio 19 (2001), 365-70. A general review of the use of DNA microarrays is Nature 410 (2001), 860-1. On interactive visualization in screening, TIBTECH 18 (2000), 487+. In general on DNA microarrays, BioMedCity Newsletter 13 (March 2001), 2-4. Fetal DNA is present in maternal circulation of first trimester spontaneous abortions, O&G 97 (2001), 460-3. On clonal culture of fetal cells from maternal blood, Lancet 357 (2001), 962. Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of Down_fs syndrome is discussed in Lancet 357 (2001), 958-9, 963-4. Second trimester ultrasound is not reliable to detect Down_fs according to a study in JAMA 285 (2001), 1044-55. Preimplantation diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy is reported in Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001), 223-32; and for sickle cell anemia and thalassemia in Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001), 214-22. Urinary sodium excretion predicts risk of coronary heart disease in Finland, and may be a cheap screening test, Lancet 357 (2001), 848-51. On MRI for cancer screening, NS (24 March 2001), 43-6. Trends in colorectal screening in the USA in 1997 and 1999 are reviewed in JAMA 285 (2001), 1570-1. Mass screening in low income populations in the USA are reviewed in J. Health Politics, Policy and Law 25 (2000), 451-71. On p53 germline mutation screening, JMG 38 (2001), 43-7. Direct immunoflorescence can be applied to intraoperative neurosurgical diagnosis, Biomolecular Engineering 17 (2000), 17-22. DNA Fingerprinting & Privacy An interesting discussion document from the UK is Human Genetics Commission, Whose hands on your genes? A discussion document on the storage protection and use of personal genetic information (HGC, Nov. 2000), and the consultation period has just finished. See also the web site, www.hgc.gov.uk. There has been criticism of the UK government decision to go ahead with a larger DNA database including suspects, not just convicted persons, Splice 7 (Jan 2001), 8-9. The House of Lords supports it, BMJ 322 (2001), 755. A general review paper is von Tigerstrom, B. et al. "Legal regulation of cancer surveillance: Canadian and International Perspectives", Health Law J. 8 (2000), 1-94. A discussion of the Alberta Health Information Act is Health Law Review 9 (2000), 3-21. Reviews on forensics are Relly, P. "Legal and public policy issues in DNA forensics", Nature Reviews, Genetics 2 (20001), 313-7; Guillen, M. et al. "Ethical-legal problems of DNA databases in criminal investigation", J. Med. Ethics 26 (2000), 266-71. A description of a UK database with 30 million patient years of data that has Internet access is Lancet 357 (2001), 649; BMJ 322 (2001), 731. Use of patient identifiable data without consent is debated in BMJ 322 (2001), 442-3, 858-9. A UK parliamentary committee has called for a 2 year moratorium on the use of genetic testing by insurance companies, Nature 410 (2001), 733; Independent (4 April 2001). Germany plans to ban genetic tests by insurance companies, Lancet 357 (2001), 943. In general on genetic discrimination in insurance, Monash Bioethics Review 20 (2001), 24-32. A US railway company, Northern Santa Fe has agreed to stop genetic testing for a wrist condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, BMJ 322 (2001), 449. Ethical issues are discussed in Lucassen, A. & Parker, M. "Revealing false paternity: some ethical considerations", Lancet 357 (2001), 1033-5. Paternity testing is unsettling law of paternity and child support, Int. Herald Tribune (12 March 2001), 1, 4. In general on use of genetic information, Science 291 (2001), 1249-51; Nature 410 (2001), 851. On databases, Chadwick, R. & Berg, K. "Solidarity and equity: New ethical frameworks for genetic databases", Nature Reviews, Genetics 2 (20001), 318-21. AstraZeneca has signed a deal with Shanghai Jiao Tong University for access to its DNA database, for use in research on schizophrenia, Nature 410 (2001), 858. A letter on safeguards for research on DNA databases is BMJ 322 (2001), 551. A book review on Privacy an Confidentiality in Mental Health Care is BMJ 322 (2001), 560. The FDA is going to regulate tissue banks in the USA, NatMed 7 (2001), 264-5. Ethics & Genetic Screening A new report is Danish Council of Ethics, Screening _€ a report (Danish Council of Ethics, 2001, 118pp.). It examines cancer screening, and considers there is still a lack of knowledge of the impact of screening including in the area of false test results. The Health Council of the Netherlands has also released a report on screening for colorectal cancer on 19 January, 2001, Network 16 (March 2001), 7. They are considering a nationwide screening program. A review of 5 years of screening for familial hypercholesterolaemia in the Netherlands is Lancet 357 (2001), 165-8. Women_fs interest in genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility may be based on unrealistic expectations, AJMG 99 (2001), 99-110; and on family history, SSM 52 (2001), 1433-40. Women_fs understanding of a normal smear test result is different between people, BMJ 322 (2001), 526-8. In general on prognosis in medical care, BMJ 322 (2001), 437. A UK report covering general issues of new genetics from a series of 6 meetings is Glasner, P. New Genetics in Society. Final Report to the ESRC (University of West England Science and Technology Policy Unit, 2000, ISBN 1-86043-3154, 18pp.). A study of what women are told after prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormality in the UK is BMJ 322 (2001), 441-2, 463-6. On predictive testing for Huntington disease, Lancet 357 (2001), 883. In general on ethics and genetics, NEJM 344 (2001), 778; JAMA 285 (2001), 1515; JME 26 (2000), 160-5, 261-5. Legal issues in genomic medicine are reviewed in NatMed. 7 (2001), 268-71. A recent document from the Nuffield Council in the UK is Genetics and human behaviour: the ethical context (deadline for responses is 31 July 2001), 10pp. See a summary of the consultation questions in BME 165 (Feb. 2001), 4-5. Misconceptions about the use of genetic tests in populations exist, BMJ 322 (2001), 709-12. Decision making about low risk pregnancy and amniocentesis is surveyed in AJPH 91 (2001), 639-41. The interaction of genes and environment to improve intelligence are discussed in NS (21 April 2001), 44-7. A critique of growth in prenatal diagnosis following concerns of the disability support movement is GeneWatch 14 (March 2001), 5-14; also BME 165 (Feb. 2001), 3-4. On disease and wholeness, JME: Medical Humanities 26 (2000), 9-17, 9-100. Perceived body images in CF, J. Behavioural Med. 23 (2000), 501-17. The case of a baby Messenger who was disconnected from his life support system and allowed to die is reviewed in JME 26 (2000), 242-8. A book review on African Americans and race in medicine is JAMA 285 (2001), 1219. On Buraku in modern Japanese literature, J. Japanese Studies 26 (2000), 1-39. On the growth in eugenics, Galton Institute Newsletter 37 (June 2000), 1. The writing of Blacker, Fisher and Penrose on the fundamentals of eugenics is discussed in Galton Institute Newsletter 37 (June 2000), 2-3. A report from Hadamar, a WWII German psychiatric center, Biomolecular Engineering 17 (2001), 39, 65-9. Pain in Down syndrome is discussed in Lancet 357 (2001), 1041. On evolutionary psychology, BMJ 322 (2001), 740. On Spearman, Galton Institute Newsletter 36 (March 2000), 2-4. Commentaries on wrongful birth and wrongful life actions are in New Zealand Bioethics J. 2 (2001), 26-41. A study of treatment of Down syndrome children found they have less favourable treatment, BMJ 322 (2001), 815. Prenatal diagnosis of heart defects aids survival after surgery, BMJ 322 (2001), 638. The Irish government is appealing a lower court decision that would guarantee free education to all children, including disabled children, irrespective of the age, Lancet 357 (2001), 866. On maternal age and fetal loss, BMJ 322 (2001), 429-30. Gene Therapy A discussion of gene therapy in Spanish is in Eidon 6 (May 2001), 70-5. UK guidelines on gene therapy are reported in Genome Research 11 (2001), 711-20; and a review of the first decade in the UK with the 43 clinical protocols approved up to the end of the decade is in BME 164 (Jan. 2001), 5-6. More comments on the Gelsinger case are in GenEthics News 30/31 (2000), 1-2. On religious aspects, Sachedina, A. "Islamic perspectives on cancer genetics and gene therapy", Turkish J. Med. Ethics 8 (2000), 67-74. Designer babies are rejected in New Zealand Bioethics J. 2 (2001), 17-25. An interesting paper is the reversible enhancement of learning and memory by genetic inhibition of calcineurin, Cell 104 (2001), 675-86. On the ethics of behavior change therapy, HCR 31 (Jan. 2001), 43-5. There is a discussion of VGEF gene therapy and atherosclerosis, is NatMed 1 (2001), 403-4, 425-9. An update is Donahue, RE. & Dunbar, CE. "Update on the use of nonhuman primate models for preclinical testing of gene therapy approaches targeting hematopoietic cells", Human Gene Therapy 12 (2001), 607-18. University of California, San Diego has started a clinical trial against Alzheimer disease, Nature 410 (2001), 859. A discussion of neural gene therapy is Molecular Therapy 3 (2001), 3-7. A report from the researchers in Japan who treated a boy with ADA deficiency is Molecular Therapy 3 (2001), 24-7. The potential for nucleic acid repair in functional genomics is reviewed in NatBio 19 (2001), 321-6. Cell therapy in SCID mice with patient reactivated memory T cells is reported in NatMed 1 (2001), 452-8. Human Genome Project (HGP) As reported in the last issue of EJAIB, the draft human genome sequence is the topic of special issues of Nature (8 Feb. 2001), and Science (16 Feb. 2001). It includes an estimate that there may only be 30,000 human genes, Science 291 (2001), 1255-7.Some papers discussing the future of genomics include: Science 291 (2001), 1153, 1155-7, 1177-1207. . A number of papers continue to discuss the impact of the human genome project, including Bioethics Examiner 5 (Spring 2001), 1-4. A discussion of the implications of the human genome project for Christians and an interview with Francis Collins is in Research News & Opportunities in Science and Theology 1 (April 2001), 1, 15-6. A discussion of how useful the currently available SNPs are is discussed in NatGen 27 (2001), 371-2. There is expected to be a continued growth in genomics, GenomeBiology.com 1 (2001), 1-6. An interview with US Senator Pete Domenici is Genome Technology (April 2001), 44-53. Canada is attempting to increase its outputs in functional genomics as it attempts to gain patents from the science, Science 292 (2001), 187. The future of the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) is considered pessimistically in a Nature editorial, compared to HUGO, Nature 410 (2001), 725. The genome of the bacteria that causes leprosy is small, Mycobacterium leprae, Nature Reviews, Genetics 2 (20001), 237. Functional annotation of mouse genome sequences is in Science 291 (2001), 1251-55. The development of Lynx Therapeutics that intends to produce a million Lane sequencer, to quote "A Celera on a benchtop", is discussed in Genome Technology (April 2001), 46-50, 62. General Medical Ethics A survey from Turkey is Pelin SS. & Arda, B. "Physicians' attitudes towards medical ethics issues in Turkey", IJB 11 (2000), 57-68. A historical report from the ethics of Ottoman surgical practice is Turkish J. Med. Ethics 8 (2000), 9-14. A special supplement is Reiser, SJ. et al. A Global Profession. Medical Values in China and the United States, HCR 31 (July 2000), Special Supllement S1-48. A conference report on the First National Symposium on Applied Ethics in China is in Ethics and Society Newsletter 8 (Dec. 2000), 21. A review of the 1990s development of bioethics in Slovakia is Turkish J. Med. Ethics 8 (2000), 75-8. Nurses perceptions of ethical health care in France are discussed in Nursing Ethics 8 (2001), 114-22. On values in Western ethics, Dispatches 10 (Oct. 2000), 1. A general paper on bioethics is Macer, D. "Love, the Environment and Bioethics", Turkish J. Med. Ethics 8 (2000), 1-8. A new book is Neyorud, Peter and Beckley, Alan. Policing, Ethics and Human Rights. Willan Publishing 2001, 240pp. A report from, the UNU conference on a Global Ethos is in UNU Advanced Perspectives (Fall 2000), 1-3. A report on a lecture by Hans Kung by G. Becker is in Ethics and Society Newsletter 8 (Dec. 2000), 12-16. On the history of medical ethics a series of book reviews by CR. Burns is Medical Humanities Review 14 (2000), 35-41. A recently started journal is the Pakistan J. Medical Ethics (Email: ranatqr@cyber.net.pk). Models of treating patients with compassion, and the principles of the Belmont Report are discussed in HCR 30 (July 2000), 7-21. On the right to refuse treatment and blood transfusion, BME 165 (Feb. 2001), 13-6. Views from an Italian ethics committee are in BME 164 (Jan. 2001), 13-7. Law & Medical Ethics A paper from Canada is Jackman, M. "Constitutional jurisdiction over health in Canada", Health Law J. 8 (2000), 95-120. On ethe ethics of research on children, Dispatches 10 (Oct. 2000), 2-5. On the ethics of torture, Turkish J. Med. Ethics 8 (2000), 83-9. Papers on bioethics and health law in New Zealand are in New Zealand Bioethics J. 2 (2001), 3-8. Nepal has produced guidelines for ethics of healthcare research, BME 165 (Feb. 2001), 6-7. A new book is Levine, RJ. And Gorovitz, eds. Biomedical Research Ethics: Updating International Guidelines. A Consultation (Geneva: WHO 2000, 295pp.). On the Helsinki Declarationc revisions, Nursing Ethics 7 (2000), 439-50. There is investigation of BioPulse International over cancer therapy trials in the USA and Mexico, NatBio 19 (2001), 289. On the ethics of phase 1 clinical trials in cancer, HCR 30 (July 2000), 34-43. Scientific Ethics A paper in general from the Commission on Biology Education of the IUBS is Vohra, FC. "Science and ethics: Religious and cultural perspectives", AIBA Newslink 4 (April 2001), 1-12. Euthanasia & Terminal Care On lessons from euthanasia policy in the Netherlands, Health Law J. 8 (2000), 121-42. The problems for children are discussed in Marker, RL. "Kids and euthanasia", Human Life Review 26 (Winter 2000), 30-45. On autonomy and benevolence for Alzheimer's disease see CQHE 10 (2001), 184-93. Tube feeding in advanced progressive dementia is discussed in HCR 31 (Jan. 2001), 36-42. Views of cancer patients in Finland on participation in care and decision making are reported in Nursing Ethics 8 (2001), 97-113. On pain control and negligence, Nursing Ethics 7 (2000), 379-92. A survey of the attitudes of Canadian nurses towards advance directives is Nursing Ethics 7 (2000), 399-411. Organ Transplants & Brain Death The Summary report and the full report with people_fs comments have been published from the UK scandal, UK House of Commons, The Royal Liverpool Children_fs Inquiry, Report, (London: Stationery Office, 2001, 535pp.). It includes 15 chapters and 5 appendices, and discusses suggested changes to the Human Tissue Act of 1961 in the UK. Some general comments on retaining organs are in BME 164 (Jan. 2001), 3-5, 10-1. A summary of the Bristol interim report is BME 165 (Feb. 2001), 8-11. Debates over death are discussed in Medical Humanities Review 14 (2000), 49-55. A series of papers on a viewpoint from Pakistan of the ethical problems are in Pakistan J. Medical Ethics 3 (2000), 2-4, 9-20. A communal system for organ procurement is needed, HCR 31 (Jan. 2001), 29-35. A review paper on the plasticity of motor neuron systems after incomplete spinal cord injury is Nature Reviews, NeuroScience 2 (20001), 263-73. A report from the new US Advisory Committee on Xenotransplantation is NatBio 19 (2001), 290-1. Results of a mice trial is, Saito, N. et al. "A biodegradable polymer can be used as a cytokine delivery system for inducing bone formation", NatBio 19 (2001), 332-41. Health Costs Papers on the right to health care are in IJB 11 (2000), 11-56. A review of the proposed UK Health and Social Care Bill is in BME 164 (Jan. 2001), 8-9. Internet Journals A series of 6 papers on Cyberethics and the Internet for medical decision making are in CQHE 10 (2001), 121-171. Discussion of PubMed Central databases and internet journals is in Nature 410 (2001), 740. See also the comment by Frank Leavitt. The Public Library of Science can be accessed at: http://www.publiclibraryofscience.org/ Prepared by Darryl Macer