A New Generation of Corporate Codes of Ethics

Michael K. Braswell is an associate professor in the Department of Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Law, College of Business, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76203. Charles M. Foster is an associate professor in the Department of Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Law, College of Business, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76203. Stephen L. Poe is a professor in the Department of Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Law, College of Business, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76203

The use of electric pulse training aids (EPTAs) in companion animals

There is currently little regulation of training and behaviour modification processes in the UK (CAWC 2008) besides measures enshrined in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and a voluntary Code of Practice launched in 2010 (see: http://www.cawc.org.uk/080603.pdf). This Code is consistent with current UK legislation outside of Wales and emphasises the need to safeguard the welfare of all interested parties involved in the “training contract” (animals and people alike) and the importance of adopting sound scientific methods within the skills base of the practitioner. There is much debate and opinion over whether the use of certain training techniques and devices meet these requirements, especially the use of electric pulse training aids (EPTAs). An EPTA is defined for the purposes of this report as a device designed for use in the training of dogs, cats and other companion animal species, which involves the application of an electric current to the skin to aid the training process. In Wales the use of all electronic collars has been banned ostensibly on animal welfare grounds, including those related to boundary fencing (The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations 2010). It has been suggested that there are currently around 350000 EPTAs in the UK, although the number in active use is unknown. Nonetheless they clearly represent a significant practice within the sphere of animal training and it is appropriate that careful consideration be given to their use, especially when there appears to be so much contradictory information available and such passionately held convictions (often linked to ethical and animal welfare concerns) by those expressing an opinion. This report critically reviews current evidence and arguments used both for and against the use of such devices and the conclusions drawn. It highlights gaps in our knowledge and awareness of both theory and practice. Recommendations are drawn on this basis

Economic development, human development, and the pursuit of happiness, April 1, 2, and 3, 2004

This repository item contains a single issue of the Pardee Conference Series, a publication series that began publishing in 2006 by the Boston University Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future. This was the Center's spring conference, which took place during April 1, 2, and 3, 2004.The conference asks the questions, how can we make sure that the benefits of economic growth flow into health, education, welfare, and other aspects of human development; and what is the relationship between human development and economic development? Speakers and participants discuss the role that culture, legal and political institutions, the UN Developmental Goals, the level of decision-making, and ethics, play in development

Development and assessment of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) amplicon vectors with sensory neuron-selective promoters

Background: Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) is a severe pathological condition characterized by involuntary detrusor contractions leading to urine leakage. This condition is frequent after spinal cord injury (SCI). Gene therapy for NDO requires the development of vectors that express therapeutic transgenes driven by sensory neuron-specific promoters. The aim of this study was to develop and assess tools for the characterization of sensory neuron-specific promoters in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons after transduction with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-based amplicon defective vectors. Methods: The HSV-1 vector genome encoded two independent transcription cassettes: one expressed firefly luciferase (FLuc) driven by different promoters’ candidates (rTRPV1, rASIC3, rCGRP, or hCGRP), and the other expressed a reporter gene driven by an invariable promoter. The strength and selectivity of promoters was assessed in organotypic cultures of explanted adult DRG, or sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia from control and SCI rats. Results: The rCGRP promoter induced selective expression in the DRG of normal rats. The rTRPV-1 promoter, which did not display selective activity in control rats, induced selective expression in DRG explanted from SCI rats. Conclusions: This study provides a methodology to assess sensory neuron-specific promoters, opening new perspectives for future gene therapy for ND