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
A book review of The Green Phoenix: A History of Genetically Modified Plants is in Nature 414 (2001), 397-8. A report on the costs and growth of Bt cotton in South Africa is Biotechnology and Development Monitor 48 (Dec. 2001), 15-9. On the algal biotechnology industry in China, Biology International 42 (Dec. 2001), 34-40. Criticism of the Forestry Stewardship Council ban on GM forest research is in J. Forestry (Dec. 2001), 4-9; NatBio 19 (2001), 1103-4. There are prospects that blue green algae may replace trees as a source of paper, NS (3 Nov. 2001), 21. Transgenic bacteria can prevent some plant root diseases, Industrial Processing 23 (Oct. 2001), 8. Golden rice research is ongoing with further discoveries, AgraFood Biotech. 69 (27 Nov. 2001), 20. GM chocolate research is discussed in AgraFood Biotech. 67 (30 Oct. 2001), 20. The genome sequence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been determined, Science 294 (2001), 2317-23, 2323-8. On the genetics of flowers and identity, Nature 414 (2001), 491. Transgenic plants have been used to produce somatotropin, AgraFood Biotech. 68 (13 Nov. 2001), 15. On use of tobacco to make medicines, SA (Oct. 2001), 21-2. Genetic Engineering of Animals A call for identity preservation in GM animals in the USA is AgraFood Biotech. 69 (27 Nov. 2001), 2. Methods to produce therapeutic proteins in animals are discussed in Biotechnology News 21 (15 Nov. 2001), 3-5. Cloning primates is quite difficult, NS (15 Dec. 2001), 14. Public perceptions of ANDI are discussed in NS (22 Dec 2001), 3. Stem cells from cloned monkey embryos are being researched, BMJ 323 (2001), 1386. Dolly has been developing arthritis. GM pigs produce less phosphorus waste, EST 36 (2002), 12-3A. A ban on taking semen from a cloned bull in Italy is discussed in Nature 414 (2001), 574-5. Cloned cows are said to be as healthy as other animals, Science 294 (2001), 1893-4; Financial Times (23 Nov. 2001). Understanding the results of knock out mice studies is discussed in Nature 415 (2002), 8-9. A mouse model of obesity is reported in Science 294 (2001), 2071-2, 2166-70. Defective antigen processing is found in mice without the GILT gene, Science 294 (9 Nov. 2001). Acrosomes do not form in Hrb-deficient mice, Science 294 (2001), 1531+. p53 mutant mice display early aging phenotypes, Nature 415 (2002), 45-50. On extending the lifespan of long-lived mice, Nature 414 (2001), 412. A review of animal models of fetal renal disease is Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001), 917-23. Designer Molecules A review on the use of robots in the bloodstream is in Pathways 2 (Oct. 2001), 30-5. On use of life systems in design of machines, SA (Jan. 2002), 24-5; NS (27 Oct. 2001), 22-3. Proteomics is discussed in Science 294 (2001), 2079-85; Nature 413 (2001), 763; 415 (2002), 141-7; JAMA 286 (2001), 2211-4. Designer enzymes may be better than those in nature, NS (8 Dec. 2001), 12. Biotechnology & the Public A new book detailing the debate over Herman the transgenic calf in the Netherlands is Theune, Elmar, A Calf is Born: A reconstruction of the public debate on animal biotechnology (Dissertation Wageningen University, ISBN 90-5808-512-0; 184pp.).Papers on public perceptions of biotechnology in developing countries including Brazil, USA, Zambia and Europe are in Biotechnology and Development Monitor 47 (Sept. 2001), 2-19. On the ethics of biotechnology, Biotechnology and Development Monitor 47 (Sept. 2001), 22-24. The media and the genome project is discussed in GeneWatch 14 (Nov. 2001),11-3. A series of papers on bioethics, biotechnology and the public, in English are in Notize di Politeia XVII (No. 63, 2001), 3-116. The complexity of bioethics is discussed in NatBio 19 (2001), 1007. A general discussion is Condit, C. gWhat is public opinion about geneticsh, Nature Reviews (Genetics) 2 (2001), 811-5. The results of Eurobarometer 55.2 from December, 2001, are that 95% of Europeans say they have a right to decide about GM foods, and 80% say they do not want this type of food, and 59% say that GMOs could have bad effects on the environment. Efforts to improve on the image of biotechnology are discussed in Lancet 358 (2001), 1664. A book review on the controversy over rDNA is NEJM 345 (2001), 1431; JAMA 286 (2001), 2331-2. A discussion in Italian on the prospects of global bioethics for biotechnology is Itinerarium 9 (Sept. 2001), 115-22. The cofounder of Greenpeace, Patrick Moore, was recently excluded from speaking at a meeting because of Greenpeace protestors, who do not like his support for the Golden Rice project, AgraFood Biotech 67 (30 Oct. 2001), 3. Science is above religious differences as discussed in Nature 414 (2001), 249; NS (8 Dec 2001), 3. On evolution and religion, BioScience 51 (2001), 995. Science fiction is sometimes an inspiration for scientists, Nature 414 (2001), 399. A book review of a new autobiography of James Watson is Nature 413 (2001), 775-6. On the use of action research methods for health services, Qualitative Health Research 11 (2001), 436-49. A shift to cost-benefit analysis for regulations is Science 294 (2001), 2277-8. Education of scientists is discussed in Nature 414 (2001), 673. Regulation & Field Trials of GMOs Biowarfare/bioterrorism concerns have taken centre stage in the global media in recent months. These resulted from at least five deaths in the USA from what appears to be anthrax spores produced in an advanced laboratory in the USA, and whose source is still being investigated. Reports include: Time (22 Oct. 2001), 42-7; (29 Oct. 2001), 18-33; (5 Nov. 2001), 22-9; (19 Nov. 2001), 34-6; NS (20 Oct. 2001), 3-5; (27 Oct. 2001), 3-7, 56; (15 Dec. 2001), 7; (22 Dec. 2001), 5; Nature 414 (2001), 3, 5, 570; Science 294 (2001), 278-9, 759-62, 971-3; BMJ 323 (2001), 951, 1022; NEJM 345 (2001), 1423-4, 1607-10, 1621-6; JAMA 286 (2001), 2086-90, 2226-32, 2392-7, 2549-53, 2554-9; Lancet 358 (2001), 1435, 1520; NatMed 7 (2001), 1163, 1167. Contingency plans for bioterrorism have been discussed in many countries, Newsweek (5 Nov. 2001), 32-9; Network 16 (Dec. 2001), 8; NatBio 19 (2001), 993; NS (10 Nov. 2001), 6; (15 Dec. 2001), 6; Time (12 Nov. 2001), 52; Science 294 (2001), 490-1 498-501, 1254-5, 1279-80, 1437-8, 1810-4; BMJ 323 (2001), 711, 1017-8, 1086, 1321-2, ; NEJM 345 (2001), 1423; Nature 414 (2001), 160-1; Lancet 358 (2001), 883, 1283, 1386-8, 1434, 1703; Bulletin WHO 79 (2001), 1094; JAMA 286 (2001), 2536-7, 2340-1, 2595-7, 2662-4, 2711-7; NatMed 7 (2001), 1257, 1271-3; FDA Consumer (Nov. 2001), 8-9. The US has proposed new ideas to allow it to ratify the 1972 Bioweapons Convention, which it refused to do and then blocked ratification of the treaty by the rest of the world, NS (10 Nov. 2001), 5; (29 Nov. 2001), 479; Nature 414 (2001), 675; Lancet 358 (2001), 2058. General comments on the implications for research in general include: NatGen 29 (2001), 253-6; Lancet 358 (2001), 1657; Nature 414 (2001), 235, 237-8, 836-7; 415 (2002), 6; Science 294 (2001), 1266-7, 1417; SA (Dec 2001), 10-3; (Jan. 2002), 12-3; JAMA 286 (2001), 2081-3. The question of how much immunity people have from smallpox vaccinations is discussed in Science 294 (2001), 985; NS (3 Nov. 2001), 6; Lancet 358 (2001), 1708; NatMed 7 (2001), 1265. One of the main impacts of the terrorist attacks in the USA is stress, NEJM 345 (2001), 1507-12; BMJ 323 (2001), 878-9; and the media has generated some, BMJ 323 (2001), 942. Papers discussing the issues in a more general sense include: Vogel, KM. "Pathogen proliferation: Threats from the former Soviet Bioweapons Complex", Politics and Life Sciences 19 (2000), 3-16. On biowarfare research in the USA, GeneWatch 14 (Nov. 2001), 3-5; and on a former USSR research facility in the Aral Sea, Time (12 Nov. 2001), 51. A paper that looks at the impact of chemical warfare with Agent Orange on lives of persons in Vietnam today is Reproductive Healthcare Matters 9 (Nov. 2001), 156-64. The area of commercialized GM crops in 2001 was 53 million hectares, up from 44 million hectares in 2000; James, C. Preview. Global review of commercialized transgenic crops: 2001 (ISAAA Briefs, No. 24, 20pp., 2001); James, C. Global review of commercialized transgenic crops: 2000 (ISAAA Briefs, No. 23, 110pp., 2001). In 2001 61% of canola in Canada was GM, up from 55% in 2000. More than one quarter of these GM crops are in developing countries. Also on GM expansion, SA (Dec 2001), 80-1; Nature 414 (2001), 1. A description of the legal case in India over use of Bt cotton is NatBio 19 (2001), 1090. The field of ten thousand hectares of unauthorized Bt cotton has been burnt, Nature 413 (2001), 555; NS (10 Oct. 2001), 19; Science 294 (2001), 991. A discussion of the Indian regulatory system is in Biotechnology and Development Monitor 47 (Sept. 2001), 19-21; 48 (Dec. 2001), 19-21; and in Kenya, Biotechnology and Development Monitor 48 (Dec. 2001), 6-9. On GM soybeans in Brazil, Plant Biotech Week (2 Nov. 2001), 5-6; AgraFood Biotech 70 (13 Dec. 2001), 5. A discussion of whether GM is useful in Africa is Lancet 358 (2001), 1970, 2056. A series of papers on alternatives to GM are in LEISA, Magazine on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture 17 (Dec. 2001), 1-30. . A paper looking at the US Federal system in release of GMOs and environmental risk is Politics and Life Sciences 19 (2000), 77-88; and in the Canadian system, Biotechnology and Development Monitor 48 (Dec. 2001), 2-5. Switzerland has rejected an application for an 8 square meter field trial of GM wheat, Science 294 (2001), 2067, 9. Wales is also restricting GM trials, European Voice (29 Nov. 2001), 4. Several countries are still blocking GM trials in the EU, AgraEurope (19 Oct. 2001), 3; Nature 414 (2001), 572. New Zealand is continuing GM trials. A study has shown transgenic DNA has entered traditional maize landraces, Quist D. & Chapela, IH. gTransgenic DNA introgressed into traditional maize landraces in Oaxaca, Mexicoh, Nature 414 (2001), 541-3; EST 35 (2001), 472-3A; 36 (2002), 8A.. A series of papers showing that Bt corn does not harm Monarch butterflies is PNAS 98 (2001), 11908-42, 12328-30. The rationale for use of Bt corn is in BioScience 51 (2001), 900-6. On sexual recombination and natural selection, Science 294 (2001), 555-9. On the use of GM mosquitoes for malaria control, NS (1 Dec. 2001), 19. A new book is Maat, Harrow. Science Cultivating Practice: A History of Agricultural Science in the Netherlands and its Colonies, 1863-1986. Kluwer Academic Publications 2001. 249pp. A report from a farmer whose soybean was contaminated by GM crops losing him a contract with Japan for GM free soybean is in Splice 8 (Jan. 2002), 8-9. Artificial cows are being used in Africa as decoys with insecticides to kill insects, Science 294 (2001), 45; BMJ 323 (2001), 711. On the release of GM biocontrol agents and risk assessment, AgroFood Industry HiTech (May 2001), 23-7. Host range testing of insects for biological weed control is discussed in BioScience 51 (2001), 951-9. Invasive carp are posing a threat to Chinafs plateau lakes, Science 294 (2001), 999-1000. A Dutch study has fund birds are not attracted to so called green farming areas, NS (20 Oct. 2001), 11. Vaccines & Diseases Efforts to develop a dengue fever vaccine are discussed in SCRIP 2693 (7 Nov, 2001), 21. The end of Trachoma in Morocco is in sight given a sustained campaign of antibiotics, NS (15 Dec. 2001), 18. On the politics of emerging diseases, NEJM 345 (2001), 1430; JAMA 286 (2001), 2469-70. If the wrong vaccine is chosen, malaria could get more deadly, NS (15 Dec 2001), 16. The HbC variant of the hemoglobin gene, that protects against malaria, is spreading more in Africa to give more resistance to malaria, NS (17 Nov. 2001), 23; Science 294 (2001), 1439; Lancet 358 (2001), 1702. Bed nets are an effective prevention method, Science 294 (2001), 2271. On the future of flu, Nature 414 (2001), 10-1. Misleading vaccination statistics can put lives at risk, NS (17 Nov. 2001), 21. The different strategies to end polio are discussed in JAMA 286 (2001), 2797-9. On MMR vaccine risks, BMJ 323 (2001), 838-40. The USA may make a national vaccine lab., Nature 414 (2001), 239. On carcinogenic bacteria, Science 294 (2001), 2269. The statistics of measles epidemics are discussed in Nature 414 (2001), 695-6, 716-23. Imperfect vaccines provide various types of pathogen virulence, Nature 414 (2001), 751-4; Economist (15 Dec. 2001), 72; Lancet 358 (2001), 2055. On a vaccine against diabetes, BMJ 323 (2001), 1272. On 28 November, 2001, the last area of the UK called an infected area with foot and mouth disease was downgraded in status, ending the episode. A review of the dispersal is Science 294 (2001), 26-7, 813-7; NS (1 Dec. 2001), 34-7; Nature 414 (2001), 839-40. HLA-DQ7 antigen is associated with resistance to vCJD, Nature 414 (2001), 269-70. Predictions of the human deaths from vCJD are difficult to predict, Science 294 (2001), 770-1; Lancet 358 (2001), 1432. Japan has 3 cases of BSE and is trying to allay public fears, Lancet 358 (2001), 2057; BMJ 323 (2001), 713. There were concerns of the first human case of vCJD in Japan, Nature 413 (2001), 765; however it was shown not to be positive. On the question of BSE in sheep, Nature 413 (2001), 760; 414 (2001), 7, 576-7; NS (27 Oct. 2001), 14-7. The US is also treating chronic wasting disease in a tough manner, to avoid any risk of prion disease, Science 294 (2001), 978-9; NatMed 7 (2001), 1075; Lancet 358 (2001), 2053. On livestock diseases and human health, Science 294 (2001), 477. BSE and multiple sclerosis might both be linked to a soil bacteria Acinetobacter, NS (17 Nov. 2001), 17. Also on the cause of vCJD, NS (20 Oct. 2001), 12-3; BMJ 323 (2001), 858-61, 1194. On efforts to develop more drugs based on genomic data, SA (Nov. 2001), 44-51; NatBio 19 (2001), 1124-5. Researchers have sequenced two Salmonella genomes, Lancet 358 (2001), 1433. A new drug has been found in former Soviet medical labs., Newsweek (17 Dec. 2001), 42-3. Antibiotics resistant bacteria can be isolated from many common foods, NEJM 345 (2001), 1147-54, 1155-60, 1161-6, 1202-3. Belgium has cut antibiotic use by 12%, BMJ 323 (2001), 710. AIDS & Sexually Transmitted Diseases AIDS is now the worldfs fourth biggest killer, BMJ 323 (2001), 1271, 1274; Lancet 358 (2001), 1345. HIV is spreading through Asia, Science 294 (2001), 282-3. China is responding to its AIDS burden, Lancet 358 (2001), 1792. On efforts to develop AIDS vaccine, NS (22 Dec. 2001), 27; Nature 414 (2001), 251-2; Lancet 358 (2001), 1880. Sexual behaviour in the UK is reported in Lancet 358 (2001), 1828, 1835-50. A review on the rise of blood borne pathogens in the twentieth century is Lancet 358 (2001), 1989-92. A study of Zambian womenfs attitudes to mass nevirapine therapy to prevent perinatal V transmission is Lancet 358 (2001), 1611-2. A study of whether patents block provision of anti-AIDS drugs in Africa is JAMA 286 (2001), 1886-92. On the fight for anti-HIV drugs, Nature 415 (2002), 109. The WTO meeting has supported use of drugs, see Patenting section. A trial suggesting formula is better than breast milk with a HIV infected mother, JAMA 286 (2001), 2413-20. On hepatitis C, Science 294 (2001), 506-7. An unsuitable test is still being used in India, BMJ 323 (2001), 955. The EU ministers have set tighter regulations on donor blood, Lancet 358 (2001), 1790. Microbes & Pollution Remedies A general comment on bioremediation is NatBio 19 (2001), 1111-5. A review of phytoremediation is Van der Lelie, D. et al. "Assessing phytoremediation's progress in the United States and Europe", EST 35 (2001), 446-52A. Utilization of agricultural and food waste by biotechnology is reviewed in AgroFoodIndustry Hi Tech. 72 (May 2001), 26-29. On remediation of strontium, EST 36 (2002), 20-1A; and perchlorate remediation, EST 35 (2001), 482-7A. Removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals in sludge is reported in EST 35 (2001), 4697-710. Environmental Issues Sustainability is discussed in Politics and Life Sciences 19 (2000), 27-32; Science 294 (2001), 303, 1287-8. Changing to a more environmental toilet is discussed in NS (27 Oct. 2001), 48-51. Questions on the real global environment are Science 294 (2001), 1285-7. The Kyoto Protocol has an unofficial rulebook agreed by 160 nations in a Morocco meeting, Nature 414 (2001), 238. China has been reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Science 294 (2001), 1835-6. Carbon sinks are discussed in Nature 414 (2001), 385. Dumping carbon dioxide in the oceans is discussed in NS (20 Oct. 2001), 7; Science 294 (2001), 309-10, 319-20. Careless emission trading may make emissions worse, NS (10 Nov. 2001), 11. Japan is still considering a giant solar energy system in orbit beaming energy back to earth, Science 294 (2001), 1273. Future vehicles may be powered by hydrogen, Nature 414 (2001), 682-4. On global warming, Science 294 (2001), 765, 794-5, 2105-6. A study of cultural changes in previous climate changes in the USA, Science 294 (2001), 148-51. After attempts to control ozone by replacing with other chemicals, four of these have been found to be potentially harmful, NS (20 Oct. 2001), 17. On asbestos removal, NS (10 Nov. 2001), 25. A persistent halogen compound in fish and seals is measured in EST 35 (2001), 4157-62. The Arctic may be naturally generating reactive gaseous mercury, EST 35 (2001), 434-5A. Biodiversity Recent work of IUBS programs in biodiversity is in Biology International 42 (Dec. 2001), 3-33. A discussion of historical overhunting of humans and mass extinctions is Science 294 (2001), 1459-62. Overfishing is discussed in Nature 414 (2001), 535-6, 477; Science 294 (2001), 1920-3. China has been inflating catches which may have fooled predictions of a decline in fish stocks, NS (1 Dec. 2001), 18. Extinction is discussed in SA (Nov. 2001), 28-37. Phenotypic plasticity in the interactions and evolution of species is discussed in Science 294 (2001), 321-6. The behaviour of animals is important for conservation plans, Nature 414 (2001), 246-7. In general on biodiversity, Science 294 (2001), 804-8; SA (Jan. 2002), 67-9. On giant pandas, Science 294 (16 Nov. 2001). The Chalilo dam project in Belize is discussed in NS (22 Dec. 2001), 4. Crops grown on set-aside land bring wild birds back to the fields, Nature 414 (2001), 687. The role of fires in burnoff of forests is Science 294 (2001), 1005-6. On mangrove forests, BioScience 51 (2001), 807-15. Papers on forests in Indonesia are in The Indonesian Quarterly 29 (2201), 132-213. On bioprospecting, Nature 414 (2001), 685. On the conservation of wild species in seed banks, BioScience 51 (2001), 960-6. Animal Rights A review is Kolber, A. gStanding upright: The moral and legal standing of humans and other apesh, Stanford Law Review 54 (2001), 163-204. A review of why humans are a musical species, and its significance is Natural History (Dec 2001), 48-57. The acquisition of symbolic language is considered to be a distinct feature of humans, SA (Dec. 2001), 42-9. An asymmetric Broca area in other great apes like humans suggests similar potential for speech, Nature 414 (2001), 505. A discussion of culture by Frans de Waal is NS (15 Dec. 2001), 46-9. The molecular biology of memory storage is reviewed in Science 294 (2001), 1030-8; and on the role of sleep in memory and learning, Science 294 (2001), 1048-51; Nature 414 (2001), 546-50. A book review of A Mind So Rare: The Evolution of Human Consciousness is BMJ 323 (2001), 1312. A series of papers on altered states of consciousness are in Social Research 68 (2001), 585-904. Baboons have some abstract thought, NS (20 Oct. 2001), 6. The punishment of free riders, as a type of altruistic cooperation sustains cooperation between people, Nature 415 (2002), 125-8, 137-40. A review on fair play is SA (Jan 2002), 80-5. Neural processing may cause laterality in tool making by crows, Nature 414 (2001), 707. Regional magnetic fields are navigational markers for sea turtles, Science 294 (2001), 364-5. A single gene dictates ant social behaviour, Science 294 (2001), 1434. Germany has seen an increase in laboratory animal deaths due to deaths from transgenic mice, Nature 414 (2001), 835. A book review of Regan, T. Defending Animal Rights (Univ. Illinois Press, 2001, 224pp.) is in Nature 414 (2001), 396-7. An animal rights protestor who was in prison in the UK has starved himself to death, Nature 414 (2001), 242. Letters on the assessment of reviewers of animal research are in Science 294 (2001), 1831-2. Molecular biology is helping pain research, The Scientist (29 Oct. 2001), 16, 18, 27. On the evolution of human birth, SA (Nov. 2001), 60-5. The fragility of the Right whale population in the North Atlantic is shown in a study suggesting that a reduction in the deaths of two females per year would make the difference between survival and not of the species, Nature 414 (2001), 493-4, 537-41. Also on Right whales as markers of ecological shifts, Science 294 (2001), 1894. The US Navy has admitted that a high power sonar caused the death of at least 16 whales (and suspected many more) in March 2000, Nature 415 (2002), 106. Noise can bring on decompression sickness in whales and dolphins, NS (15 Dec. 2001), 17. Safety of Recombinant DNA Products Cancer drugs are becoming more targeted in the body so that we can develop smart bullets against disease, NS (1 Dec. 2001), 30-3. A review of drugs being used to promote angiogenesis, the repair of the heart is SA (Dec 2001), 26-33. Immunity is often a barrier to the use of probiotics (e.g. health promoting bacteria), Immunology Today 20 (1999), 387-90. A polymer scaffold for growing blood vessels is discussed in NatBio 19 (2001), 1019. Food safety A recent book is Simontacchi, Carol. The Crazy Makers: how food industry is destroying our brains and harming our children. Penguin Putnam Inc. 2000,, 300pp. Food safety and security are discussed in Ram's Horn 195 (Oct. 2001), 2-5; Nature 415 (2002), 117. There have been some alleged deaths from a UNICEF sponsored vitamin A campaign in India from receiving overdoses, causing investigations, Lancet 358 (2001), 1791; BMJ 323 (2001), 1206. However vitamins can reduce risk of vision loss from macular degeneration, Lancet 358 (2001), 1347. Ordinary foods have many useful medicines in them, NS (17 Nov. 2001), 40-3. The UK government is to use genetic ID GMO tests, AgraFood Biotech. 69 (2001), 13. However a survey of consumer concerns found GM food is low on the level of factors, compared to issues like price, taste, quality, AgraFood Biotech. 66 (16 Oct. 2001), 3. The EU is expanding its demand for non GM food, AgraFood Biotech. 66 (16 Oct. 2001), 3. Traceability is condemned in a EU meeting, AgraFood Biotech. 70 (13 Dec. 2001), 14. In general on the GM food debate, European Voice (22 Nov. 2001), 19; Agro-Food-Industry Hi Tech (July 2001), 9-10; (Sept. 2001), 32-4; NatBio 19 (2001), 897. A report on why the Canadian Bill C-87 that world have required mandatory labeling of GM food was voted down, Ram's Horn 195 (Oct. 2001), 6. A report from the short-lived Sri Lankan ban on GM food, Biotechnology and Development Monitor 48 (Dec. 2001), 24. China has clarified its import of GM soybean from the USA, AgraEurope (7 Dec. 2001), 3. On heart disease, Nature 415 (2002), 197-247; NEJM 345 (2001), 1583-92; Lancet 358 (2001), 1642. Obesity research is discussed in Science 294 (2001), 979; NEJM 345 (2001), 1345-6; BMJ 323 (2001), 999. Childhood obesity is growing, though programs can help, BMJ 323 (2001), 916-9, 1018-9, 1027-32, 1280-4; JAMA 286 (2001), 2845-8. Appearance and health as motivators for weight loss, JAMA 286 (2001), 2160. Cholesterol is discussed in BMJ 323 (2001), 1286-8. The global implications of the diabetes epidemic are discussed in Nature 414 (2001), 782-7. Vitamin D may reduce risk, Lancet 358 (2001), 1476-7, 1500-3. A European Food Agency is expected, Lancet 358 (2001), 2060. On liquorice consumption and salivary testosterone concentrations, Lancet 358 (2001), 1613-4. On vitamin D, MJA 175 (2001), 401-5. Disease Risks & Drugs A series of 3 papers on preventative ethics and methadone maintenance programs are in New Zealand Bioethics J. 2 (Oct. 2001), 7-36. A paper looking at the risk regulation using the Americans with Disabilities Act is in Columbia Law Review 101 (2001), 1479-513. A European health agency is being considered, Lancet 358 (2001), 2138. Monitoring the safety of over the counter drugs is discussed in BMJ 323 (2001), 706-7. Statins have been called the new aspirin, BMJ 323 (2001), 1145. Aspirin and warfarin have no difference in stroke reduction over a two year course, NEJM 345 (2001), 1444-51; BMJ 323 (2001), 1204. On resistance to the drug gleevec, Science 294 (2001), 1834. Priority setting for new cancer drugs is discussed in Lancet 358 (2001), 1660, 1676-81. Ramipril may prevent some diabetes in high risk individuals, JAMA 286 (2001), 1882-5. A review paper is Kass, NE. "An ethics framework for public health", AJPH 91 (2001), 1776-82. A paper asking whether terrorism should be a major target of WHO is in J. Health Care, Med. & Community 20 (2001), 12-16. A study of medical rehabilitation after the war in Croatia is in Croatian Medical J. 42 (2001), 556-64. On health behaviour in Eastern and Western Europe, SSM 53 (2001), 1621-30. Environmental determinants of physical activity in the USA are studied in AJPH 91 (2001), 1995-2003. Smoking addiction is discussed in NS (10 Nov. 2001), 28-31; BMJ 323 (2001), 873. Films with smoking encourage young persons to smoke more, BMJ 323 (2001), 1378-9, 1394-7. WHO has called for tighter voluntary controls on tobacco, Lancet 358 (2001), 1615. On prevention of tobacco addiction, Lancet 358 (2001), 1973; AJPH 91 (2001), 1745-7; JAMA 286 (2001), 2732-7. India's Supreme Court has directed all states to place a total ban on smoking in public places, Lancet 358 (2001), 1620. On smoking among Japanese physicians, JAMA 286 (2001), 917. On the Tobacco settlement, NEJM 345 (2001), 504-11, 535-7. Australia is considering a law following a court award for passive smoking damage, Lancet 358 (2001), 738. A British government report suggests a nuclear free Britain, NS (15 Dec. 2001), 3, 5. Ireland is taking legal action against the UK Sellafield reprocessing site, Lancet 358 (2001), 1517. On storage of nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, Nature 412 (2001), 841, 850-2. A report into birth defects near a nuclear plant has not found evidence of birth defects, NS (17 Nov. 2001), 18. Leaks of plutonium from a Soviet factory may still be causing cancer, NS (27 Oct. 2001), 11. On reprocessing of plutonium, Science 293 (2001), 2397-8. There is new evidence of thyroid cancer 15 years after Chernobyl, Lancet 358 (2001), 1965-6; BMJ 323 (2001), 643-4. Trust in the nuclear industry is discussed in Environment 43 (7) (2001), 41-3; The Ecologist 31 (Sept. 2001), 20-3; NS (25 Aug. 2001), 3. The impact of EMF radiation and mobile phones is discussed in Science 294 (2001), 1440-2; Lancet 358 (2001), 1733. Also on radiation, JAMA 286 (2001), 2603. On breast reconstruction, JAMA 286 (2001), 2163. Patenting & Business A philosophical paper is Hoedemaekers, R. & Dekkers, W. "Is there a unique moral status of human DNA that prevents patenting?", KIEJ 11 (2001), 359-86. A review paper is Macer, DRJ. and Kato, M. gBiotechnology, patents, and bioethics, UNU/IAS Environment and Multilateral Diplomacy Series No. 11 (2001), 20pp. On access to data, Nature 413 (2001), 671. The European Court of Justice is supporting biotech. patenting, Scrip Magazine (Dec 2001), 13-4; Nature 413 (2001), 662. Discussion of terminator technology is in Biotechnology and Development Monitor 48 (Dec. 2001), 9-12. A review of Monsanto is Biotechnology and Development Monitor 48 (Dec. 2001), 13-14; and of Bayer, Splice 8 (Jan. 2002),10-1. The EPO has upheld the Harvard University patent on Oncomouse, but restricted it to rodents, not all mammals, Nature 414 (2001), 241. University of Wisconsin filed a court petition to notify that it has placed Geron on notice that it may withdraw the license agreement to Geron for developing 6 human tissues from ES cells because of lack of their progress, (1 Nov. 2001). The European Parliament has criticized a patent on the breast cancer gene, BMJ 323 (2001), 888; and in France researchers are challenging the patent on BRCA1, Nature 413 (2001), 95-6, 443; BMJ 323 (2001), 589. The French government found only 3% of the drugs sold in France are generics and has asked doctors to prescribe more, BMJ 323 (2001), 653. The Shanghai United Gene Technology Group has applied for 3700 patents in China and over 800 patents abroad from the International Patent Cooperation Union, APBN 5 (23 July 2001), 329. Delegates from 116 countries signed the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources, which mandates free exchange among breeders of seeds from 35 crops, Science 294 (2001), 772-4, 1263-4. The USA and Japan abstained from the final vote. On the decision in the Basmati rice gene patent case, Science 293 (2001), 1761. Thai academics are concerned that foreign companies might seek patents on Thai jasmine rice, AgraFood Biotech 66 (16 Oct. 2001), 17. On the Indian seed bill, NatBio 19 (2001), 895-6. A call to forego any royalties from developing countries on biotech. is in AgraFood Biotech 68 (13 Nov. 2001),6. A survey of how human geneticists view commercialization of the HGP is NatGen 29 (2001), 15-6. The WTO dispute settlement understanding and its relevance for AIDS drugs in poor countries is discussed in BMJ 323 (2001), 1139-40; JAMA 286 (2001), 2655-6; AJLM 27 (2001), 469-85; BioCentury (19 Nov. 2001), A14; Newsweek (19 Nov. 2001), 44-5; Lancet 358 (2001), 1097, 1381, 1563, 1706; NatMed 7 (2001), 1262. Bayer cut the price of cirprofloxacin (Cipro) antibiotic for use in anthrax scares after President Bush threatened to buy generics, BMJ 323 (2001), 1023. A petition on the public sharing of genomics data has been growing, Science 294 (2001), 27. The US Supreme Court has ruled that utility patents can apply to plants, so that Pioneer Hi-Bred International patents for sexually produced corn hybrids is valid, Plant Biotech Week (7 Dec. 2001), 1; see also Science 294 (2001), 2291-2. On the biotech gap between rich and poor countries, Science 294 (2001), 87-9, 2289-90. Databases in Europe are discussed in Science 294 (2001), 789-90. A review of mega biotech companies is BioCentury (17 Dec. 2001), A4-5. Deals in biotechnology are discussed in Scrip Magazine (Dec. 2001), 22-5; Nature 414 (2001), 482-3. Drug discovery is discussed in NatBio 19 (2001), 1099-100. Secrets in biotechnology are discussed in Politics and Life Sciences 19 (2000), 45-58. China is promoting many nanoscience studies, Nature 414 (2001), 240. On Japanese priorities for biotechnology, Science 294 (2001), 763-4. Japan has decided to increase the costs of postgraduate education, Nature 414 (2001), 485. On 26 October, 2001, the Tokyo District Court auctioned seized human cell lines (see Eubios Daily News). On the case of espionage against a researcher at RIKEN in Japan for taking human cell lines from the USA, Science 294 (10 Aug. 2001). The USA has proposed benefits to institutions that increase the proportion of PhD degrees given to domestic students, NatMed 7 (2001), 1261. On Indian biotechnology, BioCentury (19 Nov. 2001), A1, 15. In general on science policy, Science 294 (2001), 311-2. A review of Karolinska in Sweden is Science 293 (2001), 2374-6. Articles on industry sponsored research include Lancet 358 (2001), 664, 1638-41, 1723-4, 1804-6, 1893-5; JAMA 286 (2001), 917-8; BMJ 323 (2001), 458. Money and public responsibility is discussed in NS (13 Oct. 2001), 50-1; NEJM 345 (2001), 1283. The AMA is supported by many donations from drug companies, and over US$600,000 of a one million project to promote ethical guidelines comes from industry, Lancet 358 (2001), 821. Birth Control A paper on voluntary sterilization in Italian is Bioetica e Cultura X (2001), 265-78. A unisex pill for birth control is being developed, NS (13 Oct. 2001), 6. The risk of venous thromboembolism from contraceptives may be indicated from family history, BMJ 323 (2001), 752. A risk of myocardial infarction is associated with second phase oral contraceptives, NEJM 345 (2001), 1787-93, 1841-2. Ovarian cancer risks are discussed in NEJM 345 (2001), 1706-7. The history of the birth control pill is reviewed in JAMA 286 (2001), 2738; NEJM 345 (2001), 1136-7. The general population crisis is discussed in SA (Jan. 2002), 65-7; BMJ 323 (2001), 1193. Community supply of emergency contraception is discussed in BMJ 323 (2001), 751. The rise in unwed motherhood in industrialized countries is discussed in SA (Jan. 2002), 22; NatBio 19 (2001), 1428. 7 papers on gender and sexuality are in Kasarinlan, Philippine J. Third World Studies 16 (2001), 3-198. See also BMJ 323 (2001), 1061-3; Lancet 358 (2001), 1828-9. Intersex persons are discussed in Lancet 358 (2001), 2085-6. There are natural limits of pregnancy testing, JAMA 286 (2001), 1759-61. Embryo Status The question of whether an early embryo is a person is discussed in Linacre Quarterly 68 (2001), 49-70; Sokolowski, R. "The human person and political life", The Thomist 65 (2001), 505-27. Implantation and survival in early pregnancy is discussed in NEJM 345 (2001), 1400-8. Abortion is discussed in CQHE 10 (2001), 433-40; SSM 53 (2001), 1481-90. It is difficult to rely on surveys to understand abortion behaviour, AJPH 91 (2001), 1825-33. In Australian Capital Territory women seeking an abortion will no longer have to view images of the fetus. On the US funding of international family planning, Science 294 (2001), 525-6. On fetal therapy, Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001), 824-6, 970-6. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) The announcement of human cloning to embryonic stage in November, 2001, by Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, USA, has led to renewed debates, Cibelli, JB. Et al. "The first human cloned embryo", SA (Jan. 2002), 42-9; Science 294 (2001), 1802-3; Bioethics Examiner 5 (Winter 2002), 1, 6; Nature 414 (2001), 477; BMJ 323 (2001), 1267; Lancet 358 (2001), 1877; NS (1 Dec. 2001), 4-6. Scientific criticism of the announcement has led to the resignation of 3 editors of the journal, stating that it failed to prove the embryos were cloned; Nature 415 (2002), 109. A discussion in Italian on the ethics of cloning is Itinerarium 9 (Sept. 2001), 77-94; and in Bioetica e Cultura X (2001), 141-68. On the US stem cell debate, GeneWatch 14 (Nov. 2001), 5-10; Science 294 (2001), 745; SA (Oct. 2001), 3, 17; NatBio 19 (2001), 893-4; Lancet 358 (2001), 1706; Science News 160 (2001), 105 and in general, Greenhealthwatch 5.3 (June 2001), 1-2; Current Biology 11 (2001), 581-2; Nature 413 (2001), 241; 414 (2001), 567; BMJ 323 (2001), 1313; Lancet 358 (2001), 1375, 2078; F&S 76 (2001), 660-1. In general on human embryo research, Nature 414 (2001), 585-6. Because of a loophole in UK law that could allow human cloning a specific law is being considered, BMJ 323 (2001), 1203; Financial Times (16 Nov. 2001), 11; NS (24 Nov. 2001), 3; (1 Dec. 2001), 3; Nature 414 (2001), 381. The European Parliament voted to reject a draft report which called for a ban on stem cell research, Lancet 358 (2001), 1974. Germany has been faced with conflicting advice from commissions, Science 294 (2001), 2262; Nature 414 (2001), 238, 574. Sweden is supporting stem cell research. Spain has voted against stem cell harvesting from spare human embryos, Lancet 358 (2001), 1351. A paper on the Japanese law is Spranger, TM. "The Japanese approach to regulation of human cloning", Biotechnology Law Report 20 (October 2001), 700-6. A UN general assembly legal committee has supported an initiative to ban human cloning, Lancet 358 (2001), 1785. A paper on the interplay between different parties in deciding the best interests of the child after ART is Daniels, KR. Et al. "The best interests of the child in assisted human reproduction: The interplay between the state, professionals, and parents", Politics and Life Sciences 19 (2000), 33-44. A report on theater images of the family is Nagata, ML. "Images of the family on stage in early modern Japan", Japan Review 13 (2001), 93-105. A study of the history of sex education in Japan (in Japanese) is in J. Practical Education in Biology 33 (Jan. 2002), 46-53. As reported in the previous EJAIB, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, has ruled that sex selection for non-medical reasons is acceptable for preimplantation diagnosis, BMJ 323 (2001), 828. There is some gender bias in the decisions persons make on disposition of their embryos, F&S 76 (2001), 1181-4. First trimester screening for Down syndrome in IVF pregnancies needs to take account of the higher false positive rate from serum screening as b-hCG is higher, F&S 76 (2001), 1282-3. A paper on the choice of race of donor sperm is Fogg-Davis, H. "Navigating race in the market for human gametes", HCR 31 (Sept. 2001), 13-21. Secrecy in Israeli DI donors is discussed in Politics and Life Sciences 19 (2000), 69-76. Live birth after sperm was retrieved from a moribund man is reported in F&S 76 (2001), 841-3. On donor sperm for ICSI, Lancet 358 (2001), 1373. Stress among women undergoing ICSI is discussed in F&S 76 (2001), 525-31. The future of international registries for ART is discussed in F&S 76 (2001), 871+. A 34pp. supplement to Fertility and Sterility 76 (Nov. 2001), considers ART fro ma range of cultures. Comments on legislation for ART in Canada is in Health Law Review 10 (2001), 3-7. Preserving fertility in children treated for cancer is possible, BMJ 323 (2001), 1201. Opinions of practitioners on access to IVF for persons with HIV in the UK are surveyed in, BMJ 323 (2001), 1285. There are ways to eliminate HIV from semen, AIDS 14 (2000), 1611-6. On the growing range of ways to have children, NS (22 Dec. 2001), 24-5. Female feticide in India is discussed in Issues in Medical Ethics 9 (2001), 123-6; Time (17 Dec. 2001), 34. Fetal Environment & Neonates A series of papers from different cultures on prenatal care delivery services is in Reproductive Healthcare Matters 9 (Nov. 2001), 69-142. Greater fortification of flour with folic acid is recommended in BMJ 323 (2001), 1198-9; Lancet 358 (2001), 2069-73. Maternal folate supplements in pregnancy reduce the risk of common acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the child, Lancet 358 (2001), 1935-40. Folate depletion is important if space between pregnancies is short, Lancet 358 (2001), 2074-7; see also, AJMG 104 (2001), 181-2; Lancet 358 (2001), 796-800. Papers on the relation between health at birth and later health are in BMJ 323 (2001), 1033-4, 1261, 1273-6, 1276-80, 1320-1, 1331-5; Lancet 358 (2001), 560-1, 843, 927; MJA 175 (2001), 181-2, 185-9. The main determinants of infant mortality in Nepal are assessed in SSM 53 (2001), 1667-81; and on Sri Lanka, SSM 53 (2001),1363-72. The main cause of fetal deaths related to maternal injury are traffic accidents, JAMA 286 (2001), 1863-8. There are seasonal trends in birth of children with Crohn's disease in the UK, BMJ 323 (2001), 907. On gestational diabetes mellitus, JAMA 286 (2001), 2516-8; BMJ 323 (2001), 369-71. Exposure to landfill waste may affect the fetus, BMJ 323 (2001), 351-2. The poorest women are 20 times more likely to die in child birth, BMJ 323 (2001), 1324; Lancet 358 (2001), 1523. A Brazilian study found that more private patients get cesarean sections, largely unwanted, compared to public hospital births, BMJ 323 (2001), 1155-8. Optimising the cesarean rate in Africa is discussed in Lancet 358 (2001), 1289, 1328-33. Also on cesareans, BMJ 323 (2001), 1142-3. Male complications of female genital mutilation are also found, SSM 53 (2001), 1455-60. ADHD appears to be linked to the monoamine oxidase genes, AJMG 105 (2001), 783-8. On management of ADHD, BMJ 323 (2001), 1232-5; Lancet 358 (2001), 1739; and on childhood mental health, BMJ 323 (2001), 480-4, 599-600. About 2% of deaths from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome have the SCN5A mutation, JAMA 286 (2001), 2264-9. On SIDS, BMJ 323 (2001), 579. On postnatal exposure to PCBs, Lancet 358 (2001), 1568-9, 1602-7. Use of soy-based formula is discussed in JAMA 286 (2001), 807-14, 2402-3; and breast feeding in BMJ 323 (2001), 689-93; JAMA 286 (2001), 1448-50; Lancet 358 (2001), 986-7. On infant care in new Zealand, SSM 53 (2001), 1135-48. Iron deficiency in childhood may need intervention, BMJ 323 (2001), 1377-8. The ethics of separating Jodie and Mary, Siamese twins, is discussed in J. Law & Med. 8 (2001), 311-21. Siamese twins are discussed in BMJ 323 (2001), 874. Genetic Disease Markers A discussion of the hunt for susceptibility genes for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is Science 294 (2001), 957. The first gene linked to speech has been identified, Science 294 (2001), 32-3. On genes for schizophrenia, NEJM 345 (2001), 1782; AJMG 105 (2001), 655-7, 658-61. A major susceptibility locus for restless legs syndrome has been found on chromosome 12q, AJHG 69 (2001), 1266-70. In general on genome wide hunting for genes, AJHG 69 (2001), 936-50; JAMA 286 (2001), 2869-70. On Fragile X, Science 294 (2001), 1809. A study of the role of different genes on the size of different regions of the brain has been made, Science 294 (2001), 1451. On Parkinson disease and gene, Science 294 (2001), 1257-8; JAMA 286 (2001), 2239-44; 2245-50, 2324-5; Lancet 358 (2001), 1567-8; and Huntington disease, Nature 413 (2001), 691-4; Lancet 358 (2001), 1346. On the biological basis of autism, Science 294 (2001), 34-7. A new heart disease gene risk factor has been found, Science 294 (2001), 33; BMJ 323 (2001), 1409-12. A mutation for Bartters syndrome, a kidney disease, has been found, Nature 414 (2001), 502-3. A series of papers on diabetes are in Nature 414 (2001), 781-828. A gene for familial Mediterranean fever has been found, NatGen 29 (2001), 241-2. Group therapy can help survive breast cancer, NEJM 345 (2001), 1719-26, 1767-8. Prophylactic masectomy is discussed in NEJM 345 (2001), 1498-9. A book review on breast cancer is in NEJM 345 (2001), 1354. Tamoxifen can reduce breast cancer incidence among BRCA2 carriers, JAMA 286 (2001), 2251-6. A study of 58 thousand women with breats cancer is reported in Lancet 358 (2001), 1389-99. Genetic Screening Methodology The development of faster technology makes newborn screening technology better, Science 294 (2001), 2272-4. A review of the use of universal newborn hearing screening is JAMA 286 (2001), 2000-10. On biochips in general, Science 294 (2001), 622-5; JAMA 286 (2001), 2280-8. Immunoassays are discussed in BMJ 323 (2001), 705-6. Genetics is becoming mainstream in all fields of medicine, JAMA 286 (2001), 2322-3. Molecular diagnostics will become linked to molecular therapeutics, PNAS 98 (2001), 10031-3. A claim that breast cancer screening does not save lives has been made after reanalysis of much data, Nature 413 (2001), 764-5. There is also a claim that mammography increases masectomies, BMJ 323 (2001), 956. Oligodendrocyte lineage genes are molecular markers for human glial brain tumours, PNAS 98 (2001), 10851-6. The gene Id1 may be a marker for melanoma, Lancet 358 (2001), 565. Gene expression data may be useful in diagnostics, Lancet 358 (2001), 989; PNAS 98 (2001), 10869-74. A Finnish study found free programs encourage greater participation, Lancet 358 (2001), 1425. A single measurement of low serum thyrotropin is associated with increased mortality in persons over 60 years of age, Lancet 358 (2001), 856, 861-5. Women with long menstrual cycles have increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, JAMA 286 (2001), 2421-6. A discussion of false positives in opiate testing is JAMA 286 (2001), 3115-9. The link between handwriting and obsessive compulsive disorder is discussed in Lancet 358 (2001), 524. The addition of screening for nasal bone at 11-14 weeks gestation by ultrasound will increase the sensitivity of testing for Down syndrome, Lancet 358 (2001), 1658-9, 1665-7. The screening should be done in the first trimester. Fetal gender affects on serum screening calculations for Downs are reviewed in Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001), 1027-30. A European survey of 20 laboratories conducting preimplantation diagnosis shows the average cost is between 600-3000 Euro, Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001), 1086-92. Use of preimplantation diagnosis to confirm euploidy is reported in NEJM 345 (2001), 1537+; and use of comparative genomic hybridization is reported in NEJM 345 (2001), 1569-71. Prenatal diagnosis of pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency using MRI is reported in Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001), 1053-6. There is a significantly higher number of fetal cells in maternal circulation in women with pre-eclampsia, Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001),1022-6. Also on fetal cell tests from maternal blood, Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001), 806-12. Prenatal diagnosis and risk assessment for persons with Huntington Disease is discussed in AJMG 105 (2001), 737-44. DNA Fingerprinting & Privacy A paper reporting 48 cases of alleged discrimination is Stewrat, K. & Keays, D. "Genetic discrimination in Australia", J. Law & Med. 8 (2001), 250-62. UK insurers have agreed to a five year ban on using genetic tests for life insurance policies under 500 thousand pounds, BMJ 323 (2001), 1021; Nature 414 (2001), 6. French patients have been given legal rights to their medical records, BMJ 323 (2001), 826. A survey of the use of electronic medical records in hospitals in Norway is BMJ 323 (2001), 1344-8; and in general, BMJ 323 (2001), 1184-5; NEJM 345 (2001), 1576-7. Privacy of health care workers is discussed in Lancet 358 (2001), 1919. A dispute over access to the gdb.org domain name and the genetic database is discussed in NS (24 Nov. 2001), 10. The balance between privacy and public security afer terrorism is discussed in Nature 413 (2001), 773. Molecular testing for infectious diseases is reviewed in Science 294 (2001), 1553-5. Methods for criminal detection in forensics are discussed in NS (27 Oct. 2001), 52-3. The potential for pharmacogenomics to reduce adverse drug reactions is discussed in JAMA 286 (2001), 2270-9; Lancet 358 (2001), 1559; NatGen 29 (2001), 247-8. Ethics & Genetic Screening A study of inaccuracy in reporting schizophrenia research in textbooks is Politics and Life Sciences 19 (2000), 89-99. The incidence of schizophrenia in non-white persons in London is higher in communities where they comprise a lower proportion, BMJ 323 (2001), 1336-8. Racial stereotyping by psychiatrists in the UK is discussed in BMJ 323 (2001), 905-6. A report on how to understand the psychological roots of hate is Research News & Opportunities in Science and Theology 21 (Nov. 2001), 5, 10; and papers on aggression include, Trends in Neurosciences 24 (2001), 713-7; NatGen 29 (2001), 251; AJHG 70 (2001), 279. In general on mental illness, BMJ 323 (2001), 1192. On the WHO classification of disability, ICIDH, SSM 53 (2001), 1261-73. A single gene, angiotensin converting enzyme, may determine whether a person is a good sprinter or miler, Science 294 (2001), 2285. The issue of race, drug response and genes is discussed in NatGen 29 (2001), 239-40. The highest court of appeal in France has upheld compensation being paid to children born with Down syndrome because of mistakes in the prenatal diagnosis procedures, BMJ 323 (2001), 1384; Lancet 358 (2001), 1972. A law may be discussed in the French Parliament to prevent further cases of compensation. A review is Hunter, AGW. Et al. gEthical, legal, and practical concerns about recontacting patients to inform them of new information: The case in medical geneticsh, AJMG 103 (2001), 265-76; JAMA 286 (2001), 2315+, 2326-8. A book review of Milunsky, A., Your Genetic Destiny, is JAMA 286 (2001), 2330-1. About 70% of UK persosn support use of preimplantation diagnosis according to a HFEA survey, www.hfea.gov.uk, BMJ 323 (2001), 1207. On the use of tests to select a matching stem cell door, Boyle, RJ. & Savulescu, J. gEthics of using preimplantation genetic diagnosis to select a stem cell donor for an existing personh, BMJ 323 (2001), 1240-3. Adoption testing is discussed in Jansen, LA. & Ross, LF. gThe ethics of pre-adoption genetic testingh, AJMG 104 (2001), 214-20. An Australian study of why 40% of women over 37 years old do not take advantage of free prenatal diagnosis is Prenatal Diagnosis 21 (2001), 842-7. A comment on the emergence of new eugenics is Science 294 (2001), 59, 61. Book reviews on eugenics are in Nature 414 (2001), 583; JAMA 286 (2001), 2329-30. A report from the French National Ethics Committee on prejudice and congenital handicaps is in Les Cahiers 29 (Oct. 2001), 4-15. A book review of A Life of Sir Francis Galton is NS (20 Oct. 2001), 58. A book review of Medicine and the German Jews is Nature 414 (2001), 489-90; BMJ 323 (2001), 1257; and another book review of Sir Francis Galton, is Nature 415 (2002), 19-20. A book review of IBM and the Holocaust is Lancet 358 (2001), 1558. On race, Science 294 (2001), 2101-2; AJPH 91 (2001), 1736-41. On genetic inheritance of intelligence, NS (10 Nov. 2001), 12. A report on direct to the consumer advertising of gene tests is Reproductive Healthcare Matters 9 (Nov. 2001), 44-8. Gene Therapy Discussion of the prospects of a gene being inadvertently passed on has been heightened by the finding of a gene therapy virus vector in semen of a patient undergoing gene therapy, Nature 414 (2001), 677; Science 294 (2001), 2268-9. In the USA the FDA has recommended 15 year follow up for gene therapy patients, NatMed 7 (2001), 1263. On the fears of germ-line genetic engineering and mitochondrial DNA manipulation, Nature 414 (2001), 15. The number of gene therapy trials in the UK in 2000 was 21, up from 7 in 1999, SCRIP 2706 (21 Dec. 2001), 6. That means there have been 72 trials involving 400 + patients in the UK. On cosmetic versus reconstructive surgery for cleft palate, JAMA 286 (2001), 2162. The Jewish nose and plastic surgery is discussed in JAMA 286 (2001), 2161. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene therapy can promote growth of enough heart blood vessels to be useful, Biotechnology News 21 (30 Nov. 2001), 3. A review on treating cardiomyopathies is Lancet 358 (2001), 1627-37. Two papers in mice studies suggest gene therapy can cure liver diseases and cancer, Nature 413 (2001), 9; Gene Therapy (Sept. 2001); NS (24 Nov. 2001), 12-3. The fragile histidine triad gene may be useful for cancer therapy, JAMA 286 (2001), 2441-9. The gene gemisch cures sickle cell anemia in mice, Science 294 (2001), 2268, 2368-71. Prospects for gene therapy of Parkinson disease are discussed in The Scientist (1 Oct. 2001), 18-9. On the possibility of gene therapy for baldness, NS (13 Oct. 2001), 28-35. Inhibition of scrapie by expression of antiprion protein antibodies is reported in Science 294 (2001), 178-82. In general on gene therapy, GEN 21 (1 Nov. 2001), 1, 63-4, 66; and on viral based gene transfer to the mammalian central nervous system, Trends in Neurosciences 24 (2001), 706-11; pp. 695-705. A review of a new journal, J. Gene Medicine is JAMA 286 (2001), 2333. Stem cell infusion was used for tumor regression, Lancet 358 (2001), 2047-8. @ Human Genome Project (HGP) A series of 5 papers discussing the HGP in India and developing countries are in Issues in Medical Ethics 10 (Jan. 2002), 140-153. A paper reviewing methods is Beskow, LM. Et al. gInformed consent for population-based research involving geneticsh, JAMA 286 (2001), 2315-21. The American Society of Human Genetics has made a response to allegations against James V. Neel in Darkness in El Dorado, AJHG 70 (2002), 1-10. On the origins of native Americans, AJMG 104 (2001), 347-8; and Gypsies, AJHG 69 (2001), 1314-31. Motorola and Celera are involved in the SNP project which has already identified 2 million SNPs, Nature 413 (2001), 9. Trends in reporting SNPs are discussed in Lancet 358 (2001), 2016. The future of GDB in Toronto is unsure, Nature 414 (2001), 384. The question of what genome projects should be funded is discussed in Science 294 (2001), 82-5. On the language to use to described different parts of the genome, Science 294 (2001), 86-7. Several papers on genomics are in Science 294 (5 Oct. 2001), 82-100, 799-800; JAMA 286 (14 Nov. 2001), 2289-95. There is immense data after the genomic sequencing efforts, Nature 414 (2001), 840-1. The methods to use to discover disease-related genes from the genome are explored in Nature 414 (2001), 705-6; JAMA 286 (2001), 2296-307, 2332-3. The DNA sequence of chromosome 20 is in Nature 414 (2001), 865-71, 854-5. A genetic definition of a human centromere is in Science 294 (2001), 30-1, 109-15. The replication dynamics of the yeast genome are reviewed in Science 294 (2001), 115-21. The genome sequence of Agrobacterium tumefacians, used in plant genetic engineering, is described by two groups in Science 294 (2001), 2266, 2317-22, 2323-9. The complete genome sequence of multiple drug resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi CT18, the agent causing typhoid fever, is in Nature 414 (2001), 848-52. The genomic sequence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 is Nature 413 (2001), 852-6. The genome of the eukaryote parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi is Nature 414 (2001), 450-4. Comparative genomics of the Listeria species that cause disease and do not, is in Science 294 (2001), 849-52. The genome of the puffer fish, Fugu rubripes has almost been full sequenced in a one year long project, Science News 160 (2001), 276. On the genomics of oceanic life, The Scientist (15 Oct. 2001), 15, 20. A discussion of zebrafish genome is Science 294 (2001), 1290-1. Book Review: Mattei, JF., ed., The Human Genome (Council of Europe, 150pp., ISBN 92-871-4567-9). This volume includes 9 chapters discussing clearly some of the main issues in human genetics and the ethical issues that arise from them. The authors are mostly European, and experts in their field. The possibility of an ethical code for genetics is debated, followed by chapters on predictive medicine (Jean Dausset), gene therapy (Robert Manaranche), Industry and the genome (Mike Furness and Kenny Pollock). The question of the common heritage of the genome is discussed (B.M. Knoppers), and there are general chapters on the future of the genome research. It is aimed at a general audience in the field of bioethics, as a short synopsis of arguments in these review level chapters. Most of the arguments have been raised elsewhere in more detail, but it is a useful collection of work for those who seek a brief introduction to the field oif ethics of human genetics. General Medical EthicsA general review is Macer, DRJ. "Bioethics in Japan and East Asia", Turkish Journal of Medical Ethics 9 (2001), 70-77. A series of papers on intercultural communication are published from the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Crossing Cultural Borders: Towards an Ethics of Intercultural Communication \ Beyond Reciprocal Anthropology, International Symposium 14, 1999. 325pp. The question of how much a physician should inquire about a persons religion is discussed in HCR 31 (Sept. 2001), 29-39. Book reviews on Bioethics in America include HCR 31 (Sept. 2001), 40-45. Universal bioethics is discussed in Bioethics Research Notes 13 (June 2001), 13-14. An interview with Madam Lin Ju Ying, of the Chinese Nurses Association is in Nursing Ethics 8 (2001), 484-6. A series of papers on general bioethics are in Formosan Journal of Medical Humanities 2 (Oct. 2001). It includes a review, Macer, DRJ. (2001) New Technology Ethics. Formosan Journal of Medical Humanities 2 (2001), 41-7. The proceedings of the 1st National Conference on Health Social Science in the Philippines are available on the websitehttp://www.phssa.org/
Informed patients can change the nature of healthcare, Pathways 2 (Oct. 2001), 26-9; BMJ 323 (2001), 1144, 1298-300; Lancet 358 (2001), 1742-3, 1772-7; MJA 175(2001), 537-9; Takayama, T. et al. gRelationship between outpatientsf perceptions of physiciansf communication styles and patientsf anxiety levels in a Japanese oncology settingh, SSM 53 (2001), 1335-50. On the perceptions of patients and doctors, BMJ 323 (2001), 908-11. Trust in healthcare institutions is discussed in HCR 31 (Nov. 2001), 26-33. On empathy, BMJ 323 (2001), 1373; JAMA 286 (2001), 1897-902. Spirituality and well being is explored in SSM 53 (2001), 1503-11. Global issues can be useful for teaching, Lancet 358 (2001), 1539-42. A paper on ethics education is Watanabe, Y. "Ethics education for pharmacy students", J. Health Care, Med. & Community 20 (2001), 3-11. A report from Canada is Downie, J. & Cottrell, B. "Community-based research ethics review: Reflections on experience and recommendations for action", Health Law Review 10 (2001), 8-17. Several papers on research in poor countries are in Issues in Medical Ethics 9 (2001), 111-9. A series of papers from a 2001 meeting in Taiwan have been published, National Health Research Institutes (2001), Proceedings of the 2001 Taiwan International Symposium on Applied Ethics in Human Research \ Human Subjects Research, ISBN 957-02-8998-8, 178pp. For copies contact: yts@nhri.org.tw. A review on local ethics review committees in the UK is BME 171 (2001), 13-21. Placeboes are discussed in Science 294 (2001), 785; NEJM 345 (2001), 1276-9. Selecting participants for clinical trials, MJA 175 (2001), 490-1. On slippery slope arguments, Oxford J. Legal Studies 21 (2001), 629-47. Natural law is discussed in J. History of Ideas (2001), 381-99. On philosophy, Khroutski, K. gIntroducing philosophical cosmologyh, World Futures 57 (2001), 201-12. A new book, Singer, Peter, Writings on an Ethical Life is reviewed in BMJ 323 (2001), 940. In general on bioethics, JAMA 286 (2001), 2656-7. Law & Medical Ethics A report on the sudden deaths of a number of Croatian hemodialysis patients in October 2001 is in Croatian Medical J. 42 (2001), 606-10. The Croatian health minister resigned, Lancet 358 (2001), 1431. A series of 10 papers from a symposium on patient injury, medical errors, liability, and reform is in JLME 29 (2001), 250-394. A paper on the impact of privacy regulations upon malpractice claims is AJLM 27 (2001), 361-420. Criminal deterrence as a public health strategy is discussed in Lancet 358 (2001), 1717-22. A paper looking at cultural memory of a major episode in bioethics history of the USA is Reverby, SM."More than fact and fiction: Cultural memory and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study", HCR 31 (Sept. 2001), 22-8. Comments on the death of patients at John Hopkins University are in BME 171 (2001), 3-7. The WMA has clarified rules on placebo controlled trials, BMJ 323 (2001), 825. On ethics versus research progress in the revised Helsinki Declaration, BMJ 323 (2001), 1417-23, 1449-53. On human rights in public health, AJPH 91 (2001), 1922-5. Ral of a UK doctor who offered alternative separate vaccines are in BMJ 323 (2001), 1304-5. A UK doctor won a battle against the GMC decision to strike him off the list of registered practitioners, BMJ 323 (2001), 824, 1388. A UK review concluded that the law is sufficient to protect whistleblowers, BMJ 323 (2001), 954. The UK wants doctors to confess to mistakes, BMJ 323 (2001), 890. The Head of the Medical Council of India has been removed because of corruption, BMJ 323 (2001), 1385; Lancet 358 (2001), 1882. A GMC case of operating without consent is discussed in BMJ 323 (2001), 952. The complaints systems in UK and New Zealand are being revised, Lancet 358 (2001), 1290. A Turkish study of whether patients are aware of their rights is in Nursing Ethics 8 (2001), 487-98; and on a Greek hospital patient study, Nursing Ethics 8 (2001), 499-509. Extracts from the Draft Additional Protocol to the European Convention on human rights and biomedicine, on biomedical research is in BME 172 (2001), 8-11. Extracts from the US NBAC report on human research are in BME 171 (2001), 8-11. On early 20th century law in Russia on research on human subjects, BME 172 (2001), 13-7. On detention of mentally dangerous persons, Lancet 358 (2001), 1926, 1955-9. A US study has found that misdiagnosis of appendicitis has not decreased over time, JAMA 286 (2001), 1748-53. Improving quality of care is discussed in JAMA 286 (2001), 2578-85, 2600. On mortality tables from UK hospitals, BMJ 323 (2001), 1205. On reducing medical errors, JAMA 286 (2001), 2091-2. Misdiagnosis and overtreatment of epilepsy has led to GMC inquiry in the UK, BMJ 323 (2001), 1323. Letters on Bristol Affair and bad practice are in Lancet 358 (2001), 2083-4. Scientific Ethics Changes made to a report on scientific fraud in Germany after the taskforce have caused much public criticism, Nature 415 (2002), 3. Conflicts of interests has been a subject of a review by the Health Council of the Netherlands, Network 16 (Dec. 2001), 3-4. A case against the University of Toronto for withdrawing a job offer is discussed in Science 294 (2001), 29-30. The NIH was forced by a court decision to provide a list of persons not funded in NIH grants publicly, for someone who is looking at the process of peer review of grants, Science 294 (2001), 1255-6. A call for scientific data to be provided to all is made in Nature 414 (2001), 393, also discussed in MJA 175 (2001), 396-7. The US is restricted access to high quality map data for military purposes, Nature 414 (2001), 831. On the use of statistical tests, BioScience 51 (2001), 1051-7. An investigation at John Hopkins University has found one of their scientists breached guidelines in a drug trial study in India, Lancet 358 (2001), 1791; Nature 414 (2001), 386. Allegations against James V. Neel for improper research into the Amazonian Yanomami people in Darkness in El Dorado are discussed in AJHG 70 (2002), 1-10; Nature 415 (2001), 5. From October 2001 all Nature titles will ask authors to disclose any financial interests that might be affected by publication, Nature Neuroscience 4 (2001), 961. Ethics guidelines for publication of chemical research are in EST 36 (2002), 7C.On drug company advertising, BMJ 323 (2001), 1259. Maintaining integrity in the clinical evidence base is important, Bulletin WHO 79 (2001), 1093. Sponsorship of journalism in Australia has raised public concerns, BMJ 323 (2001), 1258. A genetics paper on the origins of Palestinians has been deleted from the journal Human Immunology because of complaints over the political implications of the language used in the paper, Nature 414 (2001), 382. Peer review is discussed in JAMA 286 (2001), 2931-2. On the power of publishers, NS (20 Oct. 2001), 10. On bullying in medicine, BMJ 323 (2001), 709, 1314. Results of a survey on satisfaction of life scientists in the USA are discussed in Science 294 (2001), 265. Errors in the ISI citation statistics are found in Nature 415 (2002), 101. Euthanasia & Terminal Care A review of Catholic teaching on end of life care is HCR 31 (Nov. 2001), 14-25. On the right to die, J. Clinical Ethics 11 (2000), 260-71. Parental refusal of life sustaining treatment for children in New Zealand is discussed in J. Law & Med. 8 (2001), 263-85. A report on the new Dutch law on euthanasia is CQHE 10 (2001), 445-50. The UK case of Diane Pretty who was denied euthanasia is discussed in BME 172 (2001), 18-21; BMJ 323 (2001), 1326; Lancet 358 (2001), 820. A survey found a third of surgeons in New South Wales, Australia, admit to euthanasia, BMJ 323 (2001), 1268. The US federal government may withdraw licenses of doctors who prescribe drugs for euthanasia under the Oregon State law, Lancet 358 (2001), 1788. There is controversy in Korea over the termination of treatment, Lancet 358 (2001), 1881. Several papers on the termination of care and nursing are in Nursing Ethics 9 (2002), 7-35; and on palliative care in Australia, MJA 175 (2001), 292-3, 424-5, 508-36; BMJ 323 (2001), 443-6; and in Africa, Lancet 358 (2001), 734. Cross cultural issues are discussed in JAMA 286 (2001), 2993-3001. On caring for the bereaved, JAMA 286 (2001), 1369-76, 1377. A call for more explicit resuscitation directives is made in Lancet 358 (2001), 1920-3. In general, JAMA 286 (2001), 778, 788-9, 3131-2; BMJ 323 (2001), 1248-9; Lancet 358 (2001), 676. Papers on aging are in Science 294 (2001), 13; Newsweek Special Issue (20002), 60-3; BMJ 323 (2001), 1008; Lancet 358 (2001), 731; The Economist (1 Sept. 2001), 66. Tumor suppression may be lost as we age, Nature 415 (2002), 26-7. Organ Transplants & Brain Death The first human with an artificial heart died after 5 months, after a successful heart beat for all that time, New York Times (1 Dec. 2001), A10. On heart pumps, BMJ 323 (2001), 1147; NEJM 345 (2001), 1490-2. Artificial limbs are discussed in BMJ 323 (2001), 732-5; and artificial livers in Lancet 358 (2001), 1286-7. A series of papers on images of the body are published from the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, The Imagination of the Body and the History of Bodily Experience, International Symposium 15, 2000. 267pp. It includes historical papers related to organs, reproduction, and images of the body, especially in Asia. Parental consent on the use of children's dead bodies is discussed in KIEJ 11 (2001), 337-58; BMJ 323 (2001), 1270, 1426; JAMA 286 (2001), 1767-8. The question of whether children with severe cognitive impairments receive solid organ transplants is discussed in J. Clinical Ethics 11 (2000), 219-29. A series of 6 papers on the ethics of transplantation is in CQHE 10 (2001), 357-432. A study of patterns of blood donation from persons with hemochromatosis is JAMA 286 (2001), 1475-81. Paid plasma donation and risk of pathogens is discussed in Lancet 358 (2001), 1789, 2001-2. Use of blood is discussed in MJA 175 (2001), 348-9. Innovation and regulation of human implant technologies is discussed in SSM 53 (2001), 895-913. A call for US federal regulation of xenotransplants is CQHE 10 (2001), 441-4. On xenotransplantation and cloned pigs, Nature 415 (2002), 103-4. Brain death is discussed philosophically in Linacre Quarterly 68 (2001), 32-48. A study of near death experience in the Netherlands found few patients report it, Lancet 358 (2001), 2010-1, 2039-45. On regeneration of organs (also see stem cells under ART news), Nature 414 (2001), 388-90, 838. HLA mismatch can lead to failure in hematopoietic cell transplants, NEJM 345 (2001), 1794-800. Stem cells may provide universal donor tissues, NS (15 Dec. 2001), 4. Severed optical nerves have been made to grow, NS (8 Dec 2001), 16; as may the brain, NS (24 Nov. 2001), 16-7; NatMed 7 (2001), 1001. On liver organogenesis, Science 294 (2001), 559-63; and heart repair, NEJM 346 (2002), 2-3. Spinal cord regeneration is discussed in NatMed 7 (2001), 1275-6. Amniotic cells may be useful for fetal tissue engineering, JAMA 286 (2001), 2083. Clotting factors can help build blood vessels, Science 293 (2001), 1602-4; Nature 412 (2001), 868-9. On flexibility in mouse skin, Science 293 (2001), 1429. A comparison of shipped renal allografts found increased risk in transport, NEJM 345 (2001), 1237-42. Methods for lengthening survival are discussed in NS (25 August 2001), 14. In general on kidney transplants, NEJM 345 (2001), 1355. Cystic fibrosis patients in group 1 have improved survival after lung transplants, JAMA 286 (2001), 2683-9, 2720-1. Combined heart, lung and liver transplantation is reported in Lancet 358 (2001), 812-3. Health Costs The use of genomics for equity is discussed in Singer, PA. & Daar, AS. gHarnessing genomics and biotechnology to improve global health equityh, Science 294 (2001), 87-9. The ethics of rationing is discussed in New Zealand Bioethics J. 2 (Oct. 2001), 3-6; Lancet 358 (2001), 1660; NEJM 345 (2001), 1857-8; Oxford J. Legal Studies 21 (2001), 443-71. Bioethics of using expensive technology in an unjust world is discussed in HCR 31 (Nov. 2001), 3440. On the WHO ranking of health care systems, Science 294 (2001), 1832-3. The WHO has called for quadrupled drug donations to the developing world, Nature 415 (2002), 1. Jewish and Catholic approaches to access to health care and rationing are reviewed in KIEJ 11 (2001), 317-36. On the global drug industry, Newsweek (19 Nov. 2001), 44-5; NS (20 Oct. 2001), 50-3; (24 Nov. 2001), 4; Lancet 358 (2001), 1471. Also see the Patenting section for a report on the WTO meeting. Standards of care in emergency relief are discussed in BMJ 323 (2001), 740-2. On global health care, BMJ 323 (2001), 504-6, 1074; Lancet 358 (2001), 1348, 1915. Asylum seekers and health care is discussed in MJA 175 (2001), 587-602. On meeting the needs of the chronically ill, BMJ 323 (2001), 945-6. Kenya has launched a universal health insurance scheme, Lancet 358 (2001), 1884. A paper on views of Japanese public health nurses on providing long term health insurance to elderly persons is Nursing Ethics 9 (2002), 67-79. A discussion of health insurance in India is Lancet 358 (2001), 1555-6. On patient preferences, JAMA 286 (2001), 1455+, 1506-8. A UK survey found patients wait longer in emergency units than 5 years ago, BMJ 323 (2001), 953. Lack of health care access leads to declined health, NEJM 345 (2001), 1106-12, 1612-20, 1701-4; JAMA 286 (2001), 1732-9; BMJ 323 (2001), 616-20, 962-6, 967-8; 1398-401; Lancet 358 (2001), 950, 993-8; SSM 53 (2001), 915-25. On race and health, NEJM 345 (2001), 1471-3. Gatekeeping may not be so important for use of specialty services, NEJM 345 (2001), 1312-7, 1342-3. On health care in Canada, BMJ 323 (2001), 926-9; SSM 53 (2001), 1611-9; Lancet 358 (2001), 526, 648; Denmark, SSM 53 (2001), 1023-36; and USA, JAMA 286 (2001), 1576-7; and Australia, Lancet 358 (2001), 569. Cost effectiveness of prescribing statins is discussed in MJA 175 (2001), 459-64. Older age should not be a barrier to cancer treatment in the USA if cost effectiveness is considered, NEJM 345 (2001), 1128-9; JAMA 286 (2001), 1349-55, 1762-3. On economics of surgery, Lancet 358 (2001), 1077-81. Internet Journals A discussion of online searches for bioethics literature is in KIEJ 11 (2001), 387-90. The revolution of the Internet is discussed in Nature 414 (2001), 587; Science 294 (2001), 2073. On the quality of health care information on the web, JAMA 286 (2001), 2092-4.