Eubios News in Bioethics & Biotechnology - May 2004

Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics 14 (2004), 103-111.

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

Abbreviations

Genetic Engineering of Plants
Production of drugs in crops is debated in NatBio 22 (2004), 507-8; and California has approved a plan to plant 50ha of lactoferrin producing rice, Nature 428 (2004), 591. A review in French of bioplastics is La Recherche 374 (April 2004), 52-4. A field trial with chicory plants expressing more inulin is underway in the Netherlands to produce more stable materials for industry, AgraFood Biotech 120 (19 Jan. 2004), 17-8. GM Arabidopsis for salt tolerance is discussed in Plant Cell 16 (2004), 435-49.
On organic farming methods, Nature 428 (2004), 783, 796-8. Homologous recombination points in wheat and rye chromosomes are reported in Genome 47 (2004), 36-45. Physics of water meaNS the maximum height of trees is 122-130m, NS (24 April 2004), 18.

Genetic Engineering of Animals
Social risks of animal cloning are discussed in Law and the Human Genome Review 19 (July 2003), 231-8. Use of GM fish as vaccines is discussed in APBN 8 (2004), 374-5. Variation in omega-3 fatty acid metabolism can alter animal fat content, APBN 8 (2004), 376-7.
Treatment with arimoclomal, a coinducer of HSPs, delays disease progression in ALS mice, NatMed. 10 (2004), 402-5, 345-7.

Designer Molecules
A DNA robot only 10nm high with DNA legs has walked, NS (8 May 2004), 22-3. On structure-based drug design, GEN (1 April 2004), 26, 55.
Use of GM microbes in industrial biotechnology is reviewed in Economist (1 May 2004), 81-2.

Biotechnology & the Public
A review of the precautionary principle as a legal principle is J. International Biotechnology Law 1 (2004), 11-9. Legal and ethical obstacles to biotechnology in Africa are discussed in J. International Biotechnology Law 1 (2004), 67-9.
A paper on the extended analysis of the 2003 public survey conducted in Japan by Eubios Ethics Institute is Inaba, M. & Macer, D., "Policy, regulation and attitudes towards agricultural biotechnology in Japan", J. International Biotechnology Law 1 (2004), 45-53. A basic discussion document from New Zealand is New Zealand Bioethics Council (2004), Human genes in other organisms: Discussion booklet (http://www.bioethics.org.nz/publications/human-genes-discussion-jan04/index.html)

Regulation & Field Trials of GMOs
A paper against GMOs is in In Context 11 (Spring 2004), 3-7. A discussion of the results of the UK GMO farm evaluatioNS is Science 304 (2004), 959-60; Nature 428 (2004), 107. Liability questioNS have been raised however, Food Chemical News (15 March 2004), 1, 12. Exporting countries of GMOs are opposed to tighter rules under the Cartegena Protocol for import of GMOs, Food Chemical News (8 March 2004), 5-6; Nature 428 (2004), 6. There are some unintended effects of the CBD for conservation research, Nature 427 (2004), 129. There are difficulties in defining the term "GM", Science 303 (2004), 1765-9. A conference report on research to develop GM insects to fight infectious disease is Lancet 363 (2004), 1288-9.
Sweden has approved the growth of the first GM potato crops, The Guardian (9 April 2004). In 2002 four commercial biotech crops, maize, soybeans, cotton and canola represented US$20 billion value in the USA, half of the total value of those four crops; AgraFood Biotech 120 (19 Jan. 2004), 33. Europe is progressing towards commercial GM crop approval, Science 303 (2004), 448-9; Nature 427 (2004), 474. Mendicino County has voted to approve a ban on GM crops, Food Chemical News (8 March 2004), 7-8. China has issued safety certificates for some GM crops including RoundupReady soybean, cotton and corn, Food Chemical News (1 March 2004), 5-6; not only from USA but also from Brazil, Food Chemical News (5 April 2004), 5-6. India made its own GM cotton, NatBio 22 (2004), 255-6. Australia is being more cautious in GM crops, Nature 428 (2004), 594.
In 2003 the estimated global area of transgenic GM crops was 68 million hectares, being grown by 7 million farmers in 18 countries, ISAAA (16 Jan. 2004). In the USA in 2004 a 15% increase is expected over 2003 figures, NatBio 22 (2004), 499. The misuse of herbicides by farmers in Argentina connected to GM crops is discussed in NS (17 April, 2004), 3, 40-3, Monsanto has faced issues of illegal trade in Round-up Ready soybean in Argentina, New York Times (21 Jan. 2004). Regulatory problems may be hindering the adoption of biotechnology in developing countries, Food Chemical News (8 March 2004), 9-10.
In the US BIO and two grain associatioNS have called for a federal policy on the presence of small amounts of "adventitious presence" GM material inside other crops, Food Chemical News (12 April 2004), 9-10. Gene pollution is widespread, NS (28 Feb. 2004), 8. Papers on inter-organism genetic exchange include Science 304 (2004), 233-60; Current Biology (2004), R298-9. A list of invasive species is online at www.issg.org/database/welcome; Science 304 (2004), 495. A case where an invasive tree may be limited by an invasive beetle is reported in Ecological ApplicatioNS 13 (2003), 1503-7. Rabbit pests in Australasia are discussed in NS (1 May 2004), 50-1.
A comparison of US farmers and EU citizen's views on GM crops is in Acta Agric. Scand. Section B., Suppl. 1 1 (2003), 60-7. There are some data suggesting increased pesticide use after 1996 in the USA when GM crops were introduced, Food Chemical News (22 Dec. 2003), 8. A report on bioherbicides is Industrial Bioprocessing 26 (Feb. 2004), 10-1. Sustainability in farming is discussed in Science 302 (2003), 1919-20; and ideas to expand Chinese agriculture are in Nature 428 (2004), 215-7. Debate over rice intensification is in Nature 428 (2004), 360-1. Benefits of GM crops for the environment are given in NS (6 Dec. 2003), 17; J. Commercial Biotechnology 10 (2004), 234-40. Commercial production of bioinsecticides from Bacillus thuringiensis HD-1 kurstaki is described in Wiley InterScience DOI:10.1002/bit.20146.
The next generation of smallpox vaccines is discussed in Science 304 (2004), 809; JAMA 291 (2004), 1825-6. There are doubts as to how fast smallpox spreads, SA (Jan. 2004), 13-4. Genetic research on bird flu is causing some fear, NS (28 Feb. 2004), 3, 6-7. Biotech companies are being warned against misuse or accidental use for bioterror, Nature 427 (2004), 767. Bioterror related research is discussed in NatBio 22 (2004), 256-7, 375-8; Nature 428 (2004), 109; JAMA 290 (2003), 2331; Science 304 (2004), 359. Anthrax research is discussed in Science 302 (2003), 1637. The US BioShield program will fund anthrax vaccine production and development, Nature 429 (2004), 4. Japan is building facilities in China to destroy between 0.7 - 1.8 million abandoned chemical weapoNS left in China after WWII, Asahi Shinbun (24 April 2004), 1.

Vaccines & Diseases
Ethics of refusal of vaccination is discussed in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 4 (2004), 52-63.
A discussion of the mental health impact of quarantine at Ho-Ping hospital during the SARS outbreak in 2003 is in Formosan J. Medical Humanities 5 (2004), 63-5. A paper reviewing issues raised by SARS is Levett, J. "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS): Loud clang of the leper's Bell", Croatian Medical J. 44 (2003), 674-80. From Taiwan, Tzeng, H-M., "Nurses' professional care obligation and their attitudes towards SARS infection control measures in Taiwan during and after the 2003 epidemic", Nursing Ethics 11 (2004), 277-89. Canadian doctors welcomed public health initiatives after SARS, BMJ 328 (2004), 785.

AIDS & Sexually Transmitted Diseases
A collection of stories on HIV disclosure in San Francisco is in SSM 58 (2004), 2105-18. A new simpler HIV test is allowing better monitoring, NS (1 May 2004), 14-5.
At a recent African conference some said the idea of a bride price should be abolished because it makes women into commodities and contributes to spread of AIDS, Lancet 363 (2004), 716. HIV in India is discussed in Science 304 (2004), 504-13; Economist (17 April 2004), 21-3. Chinese policy on HIV is discussed in Lancet 362 (2003), 1636; 363 (2004), 1370. Refugees are often neglected from AIDS care plans, Lancet 363 (2004), 713. ReasoNS for lower HIV prevalence in Muslims, from behaviour to circumcision are discussed in SSM 58 (2004), 1751-6. AIDS in Eastern Europe is discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 712.

Microbes & Pollution Remedies
GM bacteria can improve the degradation of toluene in plants, NatBio 22 (2004), 526-7, 583-8. Tributyl phosphate degradation by Serratia odorifera is reported in Biotechnology Letters 26 (2004), 681-6. Sea otters helped clean up oil after Exxon Valdez but got sick, SA (May 2004), 16-7.

Environmental Issues
The question of how people accept global standards and policy is discussed in Science 304 (2004), 827-8. The precautionary principle is discussed in Nature 426 (2003), 227. On sustainable development, Science 304 (2004), 649; Ecological Economics 48 (2004), 149-72, 173-87. Book reviews on human consumption are in Nature 429 (2004), 22-3. International environmental crime is discussed in Environmental Health Perspectives 112 (2004), A80, A89. There is declining support in the US for environmental protection, Environmental Health Perspectives 112 (2004), 121-5. On the Gaia hypothesis, Nature 426 (2004), 769-70.
The global spread of plastics in the ocean is analyzed in Science 304 (2004), 838. A series of photos of waste on beaches is in The Ecologist (March 2004), 28-31. Regime-based water quality standards are called for in BioScience 54 (2004), 155+. The privatization of water, which used to be a free common good, is discussed in The Ecologist (March 2004), 52-9. The loss of water has great health impact, Lancet 362 (2003), 2028; 363 (2004), 219, 954. There is criticism of an Indian dam project that may consume more energy to build than it will produce, and will destroy 245 Indian villages, The Ecologist (March 2004), 38-42. Russia is reconsidering diversion of a rive southwards to help alleviate water shortages, NS (7 Feb. 2004), 8-9. The effect of water and sanitation on childhood health is discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 94, 112-8.
Pesticides may have greater impact on tadpoles with the presence of a predator, SA (April 2004), 14; Ecological ApplicatioNS (Dec. 2003). On transnational water pollution, Environmental Management 32 (2003), 433-44. Development of safer pesticides for art preservation is reviewed in Nature 428 (2004), 886-7. RegulatioNS are a barrier to adoption of new pesticides, NS (15 Nov. 2003), 10. Pesticide regulation can limit poisoning however, Bulletin WHO 81 (2003), 789-98. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants came into force, Nature 427 (2004), 768. On fertilizer impact, Nature 427 (2004), 99, 485.
A study in mice has found how airborne particles can induce heritable mutations, Science 304 (2004), 971-2. New paint may have chemicals to reduce smog, NS (7 Feb. 2004), 23. On health, wealth and air pollution, Environmental Health Perspectives 111 (2003), 1861-70; CMAJ 169 (2003), 397-402. Toxicogenomics is discussed in Environmental Health Perspectives 111 (2003), 1819-50. A legacy to children to provide a healthier environment is called for in Lancet 363 (2004), 1409. Stopping mercury vapour from exhaust gases is difficult, NS (13 March 2004), 9. The toxicology of mercury is discussed in NEJM 349 (2003), 1731-7; 350 (2004), 945-7; Science 303 (2004), 763-6. The links between environmental chemicals and adverse reproductive health is discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 447-51.
The climate is getting warmer, as detected by several different methods, Science 304 (2004), 805; Nature 429 (2004), 7; NS (15 Nov. 2003), 17. Soot may accelerate snow formation, PNAS 101 (2004), 423-8. Measurement of the effect of Amazon smoke on inhibition of cloud formation is reported in Science 303 (2004), 1337-41, 1342-5. Melting of Greenland ice is discussed in Nature 428 (2004), 114-5; Science 303 (2004), 1781-2. A study on how climate change affects ecosystem function is New Phytologist 162 (2004), 243-51, 253-78. A study of iron fertilization in the Southern Ocean Iron Experiment is reported in Science 304 (2004), 408-14, 414-7. On reengineering the Earth, NS (27 March 2004), 3. Early farmers may have warmed the climate using wet rice fields, NS (13 Dec. 2003), 16; Science 303 (2004), 306, 1300-2; Nature 427 (2004), 213-4. Climate also changed civilization, Nature 429 (2004), 25-6. The Kyoto Protocol is discussed in Nature 426 (2003), 486, 756; NS (13 Dec. 2003), 6-7. A Climate club of cities and corporatioNS is trying to drastically reduce energy use, Nature 428 (2004), 884. Reducing energy use is needed, SA (Feb 2004), 2: Nature 428 (2004), 469-70.
Climate change may lead to a prolonged season for malaria transmission, Lancet 362 (2003), 1775, 1792-8. The impact of El Nino on health is reviewed in Lancet 362 (2003), 1481-9. Urban planning can alter public health, AJPH 94 (2004), 541-6, 546-9.
The environment impact of wind turbines is discussed in The Ecologist (March 2004), 24-8. In some sites bats may be killed by wind turbines, SA (Feb 2004), 10-1. An analysis of the impact of a hydrogen economy is in SA (May 2004), 40-7; NS (15 Nov. 2003), 3, 6-7; (21 Feb. 2004), 23; Nature 427 (2004), 661; Science 303 (2004), 942-3. Soya based fuel may be used for aircraft, NS (27 March 2004), 22. A series of papers on hydrocarbon reserves is in Nature 426 (2003), 317-63. A report on worldwide production of biodiesel is Green Tech Newsletter 6 (No. 2, 2004), 3-7. The pollution from so-called clean diesel engines still crate more smog than gasoline based engines, NS (31 Jan. 2004), 15. Human sewage could also be a source of power, NS (13 March 2004), 21. On biowaste conversion, Bioresource Technology 92 (2004), 121-31.
The US Pentagon has decided to try to develop "cleaner" nuclear weapons, Nature 428 (2004), 892.

Biodiversity
Poets and scientists have both addressed extinction, Nature 428 (2004), 895. On conservation, NS (24 Jan. 2004), 13. The future of Brazil nut exploitation is unsure, Science 302 (2003), 2112-4. Salvage harvesting of trees after natural disturbance is discussed in Science 303 (2004), 1303. On Canadian endangered species laws for fish, Science 304 (2004), 955.

Animal Rights
Experiments with crows suggest they have the ability to deceive, which is mainly seen in primates, NS (24 April, 2004), 19; Animal Cognition 7 (2004), 69+. On aggression in primates, Science 304 (2004), 818-9. A paper howing that there is an impact of caging rats is Polley, DB. Et al. "Naturalistic experience transforms sensory maps in the adult cortex of caged animals", Nature 428 (2004), 67-71. The impact of caging chickeNS is assessed in Nature 427 (2004), 275, 342+. An obituary of James Rachels is in Lancet 362 (2003), 1681. An interview with Colin Blakemore is in Lancet 362 (2003), 1590. He may have been declined a Knighthood because of his pro-animal research stance, NatMed. 10 (2004), 109. Animal research is a major issue in the UK, Nature 428 (2004), 882. A review of evidence that animal research benefits humaNS is BMJ 328 (2004), 514-7.
Husbandry refinements for mammals in telemetry procedures are suggested in Laboratory Animals 38 (2004), 1-10. A monitor can be used to help prevent patients under anesthetic from feeling pain, NS (17 April 2004), 6-7. Also on pain, BMJ 328 (2004), 468; JAMA 290 (2003), 2480-1; NS (1 May 2004), 9. Emotional and physical pain are connected in the brain, JAMA 290 (2003), 2389-92. Following opposition the University of Cambridge has shelved plaNS for a primate neuroscience centre, Lancet 363 (2004), 460; Nature 427 (2004), 92, 471. Germany's largest primate lab may close after alleged mistreatment of monkeys there, Nature 427 (2004), 4.
Whale call responses to boat traffic is measured in Nature 428 (2004), 910; NS (1 May 2004), 19. A humpback whale study is underway to follow their habitats, Nature 427 (2004), 668. A study of dolphin monitoring is being made in New Zealand, Nature 428 (2004), 111. Creation of synthetic life is reviewed in SA (May 2004), 48-55. Artificial intelligence is reviewed in SA (May 2004), 84-5.
Chimps have been found to remember for three years number games, NS (15 Nov. 2003), 16. Studies of humanness in animals are discussed in NS (3 Jan. 2004), 3; Nature 428 (2004), 606. On chimpanzee genetics, NS (3 Jan. 2004), 9; Nature 428 (2004), 242. Survival of great apes is delicately posed, NS (17 Jan. 2004), 5; Nature 426 (2003), 369. The harms to animals from ecotourism are discussed in NS (6 March 2004), 3. A book review of Animal InnovatioNS is Nature 427 (2004), 679.
An analysis of wildlife interactioNS in the USA is Laliberte, AS. & Ripple, WJ., "Wildlife encounters by Lewis and Clark: A spatial analysis of interactioNS between Native AmericaNS and wildlife", BioScience 53 (2003), 994-1003. Burials in Cyprus suggest cats were ancient pets, Science 304 (2004), 189; NS (17 April 2004), 13. A study that finds no benefits of pet ownership for cardiovascular disease is MJA 179 (2003), 466-8. On chicken meat and farming, NS (15 Nov. 2003), 19. Vegetarianism and health is discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 1482.

Brain function
A book review on the reasoNS why cooperation may have evolved is Science 304 (2004), 964-5; Nature 428 (2004), 611-2. Empathy is discussed in NS (24 April 2004), 15. Neanderthals may have had less imagination, NS (1 May 2004), 16; however they had rapid growth, Nature 428 (2004), 936-9. On evolution of family conflict, Nature 429 (2004), 23-5. Cognitive inflexibility after prefrontal serotonin depletion is reported in Science 304 (2004),878-80. The anterior cingulated cortex is involved in remote contextual fear in memory, Science 304 (7 May 2004). The reward value and motivation ideas are studied in the cortex in Science 304 (2004), 307-10. Studies of frontal cortex in primates and carnivores are made in PNAS 101 (2004), 3962-6.
Consciousness is discussed in Nature 428 (2004), 603-4; JAMA 291 (2004), 1388-90. On memory, Science 304 (2004), 829-30, 839-43. Happiness is discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 1243. Mind control is discussed in NS (24 April, 2004), 46-8. A discussion of Freud and the human mind is SA (May 2004), 56-63. On the arthropod brain and evolution, PNAS 101 (2004), 3723-4. A book review of Why We Love is SA (April 2004), 74-5. Brain scaNS are discussed in NS (22 Nov. 2003), 3. ScaNS may clear gloom from patients, SA (April 2004), 14-5.
Human evolution is discussed in Nature 429 (2004), 17-8. Early Mayan civilization 300BC was very advanced as seen in a corn god altar, Science 304 (2004), 955.

Safety of Recombinant DNA Products
There was no difference found in mortality between persoNS resuscitated with albumin and those given saline, BMJ 328 (2004), 852. Discussion of links between growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1 and cancer is in Lancet 363 (2004), 1336-7. 1346-53. The various uses of growth hormone in several countries, and abuses of its use, are discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 907-8. A review of the immunotherapies market is J. Commercial Biotechnology 10 (2004), 273-8. Use of interferon gamma 1b for pulmonary fibrosis is discussed in NEJM 350 (2004), 1794-6. A single point mutation in alpha and beta interferon has improved their half-life, BioCentury (5 April 2004), A10.

Food safety
The Codex Committee on Food Labelling has still not resolved the issues of mandatory labeling of GM foods, Food Chemical News (5 April 2004), 16-7. Comments on labeling of GM foods in Canada, Brazil and the EU are in Ram's Horn 220 (April 2004), 5-6. Canada has a voluntary labeling policy for "does not contain GE" foods, Food Chemical News (26 April 2004), 5-6. A review of the US-EU trade war on GM foods and the WTO case is J. International Biotechnology Law 1 (2004), 28-31; AgraEurope (30 April 2004), 2-3. A review of methods for identifying GM material in crops in relation to regulatioNS is J. International Biotechnology Law 1 (2004), 81-5. On European GM labeling laws, NatBio 22 (2004), 383-4.
The fate of GM food in the digestive tract of humaNS suggests DNA reaches the gut flora and the gene can pass to bacteria in the human gut, NatBio 22 (2004), 204-9; NatGen 36 (2004), 121. The regulation of peanut allergy labels and children's allergies is discussed in SSM 58 (2004), 825-36. Food irradiation is discussed in NEJM 350 (2004), 1811-2, 1898-902. Active food packaging that changes colour when food is not fresh is being developed, NS (24 April 2004), 26.
FDA labeling policy on traNS fatty acids is discussed in Food Chemical News (3 May 2004), 25-7. A review of organic food is Nature 428 (2004), 792-3. Vitamin D supplements appear to reduce risk of falls, JAMA 291 (2004), 1999-2006. However some dietary supplements we do not know whether they are good or not, NS (10 April 2004), 6-7. Blood pressure has increased in the past decade in children in USA, JAMA 291 (2004), 2107-13. Salt intake advice is debated in JAMA 291 (2004), 1686-9. The WHO made its strategy on diet and health weaker after comments, Lancet 363 (2004), 1373; Food Chemical News (26 April 2004), 23-4. . Obesity in Asia is a large problem, NatMed. 10 (2004), 325-7. A study of women's body dissatisfaction is SSM 58 (2004), 1575-84. Statin treatment to lower lipids is reviewed in JAMA 291 (2004), 1864-70. Obesity is related to socioeconomic class, SSM 58 (2004), 1171-80. On the physiology of obesity and PPARs, NatMed. 10 (2004), 355-61. Also on obesity, NS (10 April 2004), 42-5; (1 May 2004), 20-1.
Selenium status in AustraliaNS is reported in MJA 180 (2004), 373-4, 383-6. A plan to add light-absorbing pigments from spinach to the human retina directly as a cure for blindness has been made, NS (1 May 2004), 8. A socio-ecological autopsy of an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in Ontario, Canada is in SSM 58 (2004), 2601-12.

Disease Risks & Drugs
A series of papers in Japanese on regulation of clinical trials in US, Europe and Asia are in Rinsho Hyoka (Clinical Evaluation) 31 (2004), 248-484. On ethics of internet pharmacies, HCR 34 (March 2004), 15-7.
A paper on the ethical and social issues of cosmetic surgery is in HCR 34 (March 2004), 3, 18-29.

Patenting & Business
The ethics and law of the EU biotechnology directive are discussed in Law and the Human Genome Review 19 (July 2003), 187-206. On patenting life, J. International Biotechnology Law 1 (2004), 20-7. The use of copy protection or terminator technology in seed protection is reviewed in Technology Analysis & Strategic Management 16 (2004), 121-41.
A European patent that gave a company in Utah the exclusive right to perform diagnostic tests for a breast-cancer gene has been revoked. In a ruling on 18 May 2004, the European Patent Office (EPO) granted an appeal against Myriad Genetics of Salt Lake City over its patent on the gene BRCA1. The office ruled that Myriad's claim was invalid because its original submission, made in the United States in 1994, contained a number of small errors in the gene's sequence.


Birth Control
The moral issues for Catholics is compliance with contraceptive insurance mandates are discussed in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 4 (2004), 103-32. The ethics of offering subsidies and incentives for Norplant are discussed in J. Law, Medicine and Ethics 31 (Fall 2003), 351-64. Emergency contraceptive policy in USA is discussed in NEJM 350 (2004), 1561-2; and in the UK, SSM 57 (2003), 2367-78; 58 (2004), 1285-97.
Shanghai has decided to allow divorcees a second child, Lancet 363 (2004), 1374. In China sex education is later than sexual activity, Lancet 363 (2004), 1208. Multigenerational family structure in Japan is discussed in SSM 59 (2004), 69-81. Sexuality is discussed in Nature 429 (2004), 19-21. A surplus of women in USA is reported in SA (May 2004), 17. A chemical condom is close to being made, NS (10 April 2004), 12. On X-activation, Current Biology 14 (2004), R323-5.

Embryo Status
Issues for Catholic nurses and doctors in the provision of abortion services are discussed in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 4 (2004), 29-40, 89-102. Abortion and health are discussed in NEJM 350 (2004), 1908-10. A US federal court trial on the constitutionality of the partial birth abortion ban started in Manhattan, New York, JAMA 291 (2004), 1690. The long-term mental effects of abortion are discussed in SSM 58 (2004), 2559-69. Italy has a tough law on embryo research, Nature 426 (2003), 746-7.

Cloning and stem cells
ES stem cell research is debated in Law and the Human Genome Review 19 (July 2003), 91-108. A review paper on the ethics is Walters, L., "Human embryonic stem cell research: An intercultural perspective", KIEJ 14 (2004), 3-38; see also, pp. 55-114; HCR 34 (March 2004), 49; SSM 58 (2004), 401-9; Nature 429 (2004), 1. The ethical guidelines for HESC research from Shanghai are in KIEJ 14 (2004), 47-54. UN politics and cloning is discussed in NatMed. 12 (2003), 1437; Current Biology 13 (2003), R937-9; NS (21 Feb. 2004), 16-7. A paper on the ethics of transplanting human stem cells into nonhuman embryos is NatMed. 10 (2004), 331-5.
Despite accusatioNS of unethical behaviour the Korean scientists who made the first cloned human ES cells defend their work, Science 304 (2004), 945; Nature 429 (2004), 3, 12-4; and more on the discovery, Lancet 363 (2004), 623; NatBio 22 (2004), 361; BMJ 328 (2004), 415-6, 421; and another report, NEJM 350 (2004), 1353-5. On US stem cell politics, Science 304 (2004), 820; NatBio 22 (2004), 509-10; NatMed. 10 (2004), 317; Current Biology 13 (2004), R253-4; Nature 428 (2004), 4, 587; NEJM 350 (2004), 1275-6, 1351-2. Private funding is expected to fill in the gap left from the absence of US federal funds, JAMA 291 (2004), 2059-60; NatMed. 10 (2004), 320. Brazil may pass a law to ban therapeutic cloning, Lancet 363 (2004), 1125. On Canadian regulation, Lancet 363 (2004), 955; Chinese, Nature 427 (2004), 278; and in Europe, NatMed. 12 (2003), 1440.
Use of stem cells in diabetes is discussed in Nature 429 (2004), 30-1. In general on stem cell research, Economist (3 Jan. 2004), 53-5; NatMed. 10 (2004), 23, 224-5; Nature 428 (2004), 607-9. The implicatioNS of parthenogenesis in mice for humaNS is discussed in NS (24 April 2004), 5. A possible human chimera is reported in Prenatal Diagnosis 23 (2003), 935-7.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Surrogacy is discussed in Formosan J. Medical Humanities 5 (2004), 48-62. Ovarian function may be preserved in cancer patients, F&S 81 (2004), 243-57. Papers on the safety of ISCI are in F&S 80 (2003), 508-12, 526-30, 646-48, 851-9, 930-5, 1077-85. On the disposition of frozen reproductive tissue, F&S 80 (2003), 584-9. Rules in Victoria, Australia to govern import of gametes are debated in J. Law, Medicine and Ethics 31 (Fall 2003), 239-56. Guidelines on posthumous reproduction in Israel allow it under some cases, HCR 34 (March 2004), 6-7. Also on posthumous fatherhood, F&S 81 (2004), 223-4. Conception for donation is debated in JAMA 291 (2004), 2079, 2125-6. Also on sperm donation and banking, BMJ 327 (2003), 1354.
Trends in embryo transfer practice and outcomes in ART in USA are reviewed in NEJM 350 (2004), 1639-45, 1603-4. US politics and the president's Bioethics Council report on ART are discussed in Science 304 (2004), 188. On ART psychosocial concerns, F&S 81 (2004), 271-8, 532-8, 982-8; SSM 57 (2003), 2325-41. Individual physiciaNS vary in success even in the same clinic, F&S 81 (2004), 944-6. Epigenetics and ART should be examined more, AJHG 74 (2004), 599-609; and on the safety, F&S 81 (2004), 512-3. Multiple births are still a problem, F&S 81 (2004), 517-22.
The infertility of George Washington is discussed in F&S 81 (2004), 495-9. Selective abortion against girls in India is discussed in Lancet 362 (2003), 1553; BMJ 327 (2003), 1297-8.

Fetal Environment & Neonates
On substance abuse during pregnancy, J. Law, Medicine and Ethics 31 (Fall 2003), 340-50. Limb anomalies are reported din some cases of first trimester statin exposure, NEJM 350 (2004), 1579-82.
On maternal and child health in South Asia, BMJ 328 (2004), 816-9. Genetic defects in sperms of older fathers are discussed in JAMA 291 (2004), 1683-4. Use of antidepressants in children is questionable, NEJM 350 (2004), 1489-91; Lancet 363 (2004), 1341-5. On video-game associated violence, JAMA 291 (2004), 1822-4.

Genetic Disease Markers
Two new asthma genes have been reported, Science 304 (2004), 185-7. Predisposition to abacavir hypersensitivity is conferred by HLA-B 5701 and a HSP70-Hom variant, PNAS 101 (2004), 4180-5. Endotoxin responsiveness is modified by human caspase-12 polymorphisms, Nature 429 (2004), 75-9.
A new oncogene PIG-U has been discovered in human bladder cancer, NatMed. 10 (2004), 374-81. Ascorbic acid corrects a mouse model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, NatMed. 10 (2004), 396-401. There are functional brain abnormalities in young adults at genetic risk for Alzheimer disease, PNAS 101 (2004), 284-9. Both genetic and environmental factors modulate Huntington disease, as shown from Venezuelan kindreds, PNAS 101 (2004), 2498-503.

Genetic Screening Methodology
Preimplantation diagnosis for the Kell genotype is described in F&S 80 (2003), 1047-51; and for Sanjad-Sakati syndrome, Prenatal Diagnosis 24 (2004), 302-6. Decision analysis for informed decision making about prenatal diagnosis for Down syndrome is described in Prenatal Diagnosis 24 (2004), 265-75. Preimplantation HLA typing is also performed, JAMA 291 (2004), 2079-85. CVS and FISH for first trimester prenatal diagnosis is described in Prenatal Diagnosis 24 (2004), 249-56. DeletioNS associated with learning disability can also be tested for by microarrays, JMG 41 (2004), 241-8. A human cDNA database is online for free access, Science 304 (2004), 368.
Prediction of survival in diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma based on expression of 6 genes is useful, NEJM 350 (2004), 1828-37. Use of autoantibodies as predictors of disease is discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 1544-6. Proteomic research uses protein arrays, Nature 429 (2004), 101+. A profile of the company aiming to develop methods for individual human genome analysis, Solexa, is BioCentury (5 April 2004), A12. Gene expression profiling in acute myeloid leukemia is discussed in NEJM 350 (2004), 1605-16, 1676-8, 1814-6. In general on use of microarrays, NEJM 350 (2004), 1595-7. Colour digitized cytogenetics is discussed in NEJM 350 (2004), 1597-600. HER-2 testing in breast cancer is reported in JAMA 291 (2004), 1972-7. Cost effectiveness of breast cancer screening is researcher in Pharmacoeconomics 22 (2004), 285-91; and on compliance, SSM 58 (2004), 151-60. Also on narratives about breast cancer, SSM 58 (2004), 1647-57.

DNA Fingerprinting & Privacy
The Icelandic healthcare genetic database has been rejected by their Supreme Court, Nature 429 (2004), 118; NatBio 22 (2004), 500; NS (10 April 2004), 5. Estonian experience in genetic data confidentiality is reported in Law and the Human Genome Review 19 (July 2003), 147-58. A report from the French National Bioethics Committee on ethical problems of Biobanks is in Les Cahiers du CCNB 38 (March 2004), 3-29. In general on privacy, Health Law J. Special Edition (2003), 113-29; BMJ 328 (2004), 871-4. Genetic privacy is discussed in SSM 57 (2003), 2471-3; Lancet 363 (2004), 1238.
Mistakes in forensic DNA evidence are shown in Science 304 (2004), 959. DNA evidence has also exposed errors in the legal system, NS (24 April 2004), 6. On privacy on the Internet, Science 302 (2003), 1686-7. On the DNA of the Romanovs, Science 303 (2004), 753.

Ethics & Genetic Screening
Ethical issues in DNA profiling from in vitro embryos are discussed in Law and the Human Genome Review 19 (July 2003), 15-20. Genetics race and ethnicity are discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 1070-2. A review paper is Fairchild, AL. "Policies of inclusion. Immigrants, disease, dependency, and American Immigration policy at the dawn and dusk of the 20th century", AJPH 94 (2004), 528-39. On ethics of racial profiling, Philosophy and Public Affairs 32 (2004), 131-70; also pp. 171-92, Modern Law Review 67 (2004), 1-15. Prevention and genetic testing for breast cancer is discussed in SSM 58 (2004), 1085-96; and on cancer screening in general, JAMA 291 (2004), 1835-6; NS (1 May 2004), 52.
A description of the community engagement and sampling in 4 countries for HapMap is in International HapMap Consortium, "The International HapMap project", Nature Reviews - Genetics 5 (2004), 467-475. Review of genetics research is discussed in Nature Reviews-Genetics 5 (2004), 332. A qualitative study of couples' experience of predictive testing for Huntington disease in Australia is AJMG 126A (2004), 161-9, 170-82; also, SSM 58 (2004), 137-49. In general on genetic testing and counseling in USA, SSM 58 (2004), 1427-42; and in Australia, SSM 58 (2004), 1699-707. Attitudes of unaffected siblings of parents with PKU are described in AJMG 126A (2004), 156-60. The US FDA has warned against commercial prenatal ultrasound videos, BMJ 328 (2004), 853.
The cost utility of prenatal diagnosis is discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 1164-5. Wrongful birth actioNS are defended in J. Law & Medicine 11 (Nov. 2003), 230-8. Use of preimplantation diagnosis for selecting stem cell donors is debated in J. Law & Medicine 11 (Nov. 2003), 327-39. The use of preimplantation diagnosis in Japan for sex selection was reported in 3 cases by Dr. Tetsuo Otani, against regulations, and is discussed in Bioethics Examiner 8 (Spring 2004), 1-3. A review of ideas behind the issuance of guidelines on bioethics in China is Doering, O. "Chinese researchers promote biomedical regulations: What are the motives of the biopolitical dawn in China and where are they heading?", KIEJ 14 (2004), 39-46. On disability in Norwegian society, SSM 58 (2004), 1837-48. A picture of Nazi demography is in Science 304 (2004), 203.

Gene Therapy
Swiss research on descriptive bioethics is reported in Scully, JL. Et al. "Non-professionals' evaluatioNS of gene therapy ethics", SSM 58 (2004), 1415-25. Gene transfer in the reproductive tract is discussed in F&S 80 (2003), 475-84. Phase 1 trials for insertion of the gene for nerve growth factor in braiNS of Alzheimer's patients have been promising, Biotechnology News 24 (7 May 2004), 3. Also on neuronal gene therapy trials, PNAS 101 (2004), 3557-62. An explanation for the leukemia cases in two French SCID patients has been found, NEJM 350 (2004), 1679-80; Science 303 (2004), 333.
The first commercial cancer gene therapy in the world has been approved in China, APBN 8 (2004), 61. Systemic delivery of human minidystrophin to mice muscle has been reported, PNAS 101 (2004), 3581-6. A gene therapy system that responds to low oxygen in heart to avoid ischemic attack has been reported, NatBio 22 (2004), 533. A gel has been used to deliver a gene, Biotechnology News (15 April 2004), 24, 70. A multigene deficiency has been corrected in vivo in mice models, NatBio 22 (2004), 589-94.

Human Genome Project (HGP)
A summary of the HapMap strategy is in Science 304 (2004), 671-2; see also on ELSI issues, International HapMap Consortium, "The International HapMap project", Nature Reviews - Genetics 5 (2004), 467-475.
There may be greater differences between chimpanzees and humaNS than thought based on analysis of human chromosome 21, The International Chimpanzee Chromosome 22 Consortium, "DNA sequence and comparative analysis of chimpanzee chromosome 22", Nature 429 (2004), 382-8. The sequence of human chromosome 9 and 10 has been published, Nature 429 (2004), 369-381. Further work for human genome sequencing is discussed in Nature Reviews - Genetics 5 (2004), 345-54. On a large array (that is open) of human 21,243 full length cDNAs, NatGen 36 (2004), 40-5. A review of the Nature Encyclopedia of the Human Genome is BMJ 328 (2004), 172. Darryl Macer has two papers in it, among many on bioethics topics, available from Eubios web site; or subscribe to the nature website!
On genomics for infectious diseases, Lancet 363 (2004), 1337; Nature 428 (2004), 942-5. See the genome sequence of Treponema denticola, PNAS 101 (2004), 5646-51. The genome sequence of Saccharopolyspora erythraea has been released, Euro Biotech News 4 (No.4, 2004), 12; as has Desulfovibrio vulgaris, NatBio 22 (2004), 550+: Ashbya gossypii, Science 304 (2004), 304-7; and Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D, Nature 428 (2004), 653+; and Thermus thermophilus, NatBio 22 (2004), 524-5, 547-53. On the rat genome sequence, NatBio 22 (2004), 529-30; Nature Reviews - Genetics 5 (2004), 327; and on the pig genome, Genetical Research 83 (2004), 1-6. On worm genome comparisons, Nature 426 (2003), 395-6. More than 180 full genomes have now been sequenced, Science 303 (2004), 739;
China is developing liver proteomics, NatBio 22 (2004), 136-7. Ancient genome duplication occurred in yeast, Nature 428 (2004), 617-24. Resurrecting ancient genes is discussed in Nature Reviews - Genetics 5 (2004), 366-78. Coral genomics has shown how old human genes are, Nature 426 (2003), 744. The unseen genome is reviewed in SA (Dec. 2003), 78-85. Mis-named "Junk" genome is also read although the function remaiNS unclear, NS (21 Feb. 2004), 10. William Haseltine has left the company he founded Human Genome Sciences, Science 304 (2004), 33; NatBio 22 (2004), 497; Nature 428 (2004), 456.
Comparative human sequencing is discussed in Heredity 92 (2004), 365-79; Current Biology 13 (2004), R901-3; NS (7 Feb. 2004), 40-3; (6 March 2004), 42-5 Nature 428 (2004), 373-4, 415-8; Lancet 362 (2003), 1635; 363 (2004), 952-3. A review of human migration to New Zealand is in NS (24 April 2004), 38-41. Use of Helicobacter pylori sequence to distinguish human populatioNS is described in PNAS 101 (2004), 4746-51. Return of ancient bones is discussed in NS (15 Nov. 2003), 9; (14 Feb. 2004), 18-9. Neanderthals may have been killed off by the big chill, NS (24 Jan. 2004), 10-1.

General Medical Ethics
A common operational guideline for ethical review of translational research is in Rinsho Hyoka (Clinical Evaluation) 31 (2004), 485-96.
A paper on teaching ethics to Mexican AmericaNS is in Formosan J. Medical Humanities 5 (2004), 3-13. Altruistic motives in nursing students and nurses are discussed in Nursing Ethics 11 (2004), 225-289. Papers on the history of philosophy in Portuguese are in Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia 60 (2004), 3-214.

Law & Medical Ethics
A further discussion of the balance of the US President's Bioethics Council is in HCR 34 (March 2004), 6-8. The role of clinical guidelines is discussed in BMJ 328 (2004), 343-5; NEJM 350 (2004), 1454-9.
Human rights law and mental disability are discussed in HCR 34 (March 2004), 11-2; BMJ 327 (2003), 1449-51. On human rights and health, Lancet 363 (2004), 1393. Medical malpractice is discussed in Lancet 363 (2004), 397-8, 1160-2; NEJM 350 (2004), 283-91, 1798; JAMA 291 (2004), 1775-7; SSM 59 (2004), 39-46; BMJ 328 (2004), 181-2, 183, 417-8, 457-60, 475-6, 709-10. Barcodes may help reduce medical errors, JAMA 291 (2004), 1685-6. Also on medical errors, Lancet 363 (2004), 1224-30; BMJ 327 (2003), 1118-9; 328 (2004), 241-2, 361-2; NEJM 349 (2003), 2076-7; 350 (2004), 738-40, 1357; JAMA 290 (2003), 2838-42. Protection of children in clinical trials is discussed, Lancet 363 (2004), 1119.

Scientific Ethics
Conflicts of interests are discussed in Bioethics Research Notes 16 (March 2004), 1-4. Scientific responsibility is discussed in NatMed. 10 (2004), 319. A discussion of a recent article in Lancet is in Lancet 363 (2004), 820-2.
US visa policies are inhibiting science, Science 304 (2004), 943-4. Journal's freedom to publish has been affirmed in the USA, JAMA 291 (2004), 1950; Science 304 (2004), 171. On immigration and science, NatMed. 10 (2004), 337. Scientific bias is discussed in Nature 428 (2004), 589; Science 304 (2004), 496.

Euthanasia & Terminal Care
Papers on Buddhist, Jewish and Islamic perspectives on end of life care are in Soka Gakkai International Quarterly Magazine 36 (April 2004), 2-15. A paper comparing a good death in Japan and USA is SSM 58 (2004), 913-28. The Belgium Act on Euthanasia is reviewed in Eur. J. Health Law 10 (Sept. 2003), 239-55.
A failure of the living will in the USA is discussed in HCR 34 (March 2004), 2, 30-42. A UK survey on older persoNS views on advance care statements is SSM 59 (2004), 57-68. Advance directives are subject to wide interpretation, BMJ 327 (2003), 1011-4. On a Florida case of a court ordered reinsertion of a feeding tube, BMJ 327 (2003), 1010. Use of hospices in the USA is surveyed in BMJ 328 (2004), 607-10.

Organ Transplants & Brain Death
Heart transplantation from an Islamic view is discussed in Formosan J. Medical Humanities 5 (2004), 29-36. Public support for higher brain death based definitioNS of death for organ donation in the USA is reported in J. Clinical Ethics 14 (Spring 2003), 26-36. Also in the same issue papers on organ donation are in J. Clinical Ethics 14 (Spring 2003), 18-25, 37-48.

Health Costs
Ethics and globalization with regard to infectious diseases are discussed in TDR News 71 (Feb. 2004), 13.

Internet
The American Journal of Bioethics Weekly News & Updates are at: http://bioethics.net

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