From Eugenics to the “New” Genetics: “The Play\u27s The Thing”

Genetics occupies a place in the public imagination with which few areas of science can compete. It is popularly understood to be the “science of life,” concerned with the essence of humanity: a subject that generates both awe and fear. These divergent emotions are encapsulated in the “promise versus peril” debate: the promise of an end to human disease is countered by the peril embodied in the discriminatory capacity of genetic essentialism. This debate has become ingrained in popular culture, and its dramatic potential has been effectively realized in theatre. Plays have always been written and performed as expressions of social and cultural concerns. Drama is uniquely able to address salient issues and to manipulate the way they are perceived through characters with whom the audience identifies and sympathizes. In this way, theatre engages in a dialogue with public opinion and social policy. Plays are vehicles for exploring connections and parallels between eugenics and the “new” genetics, especially with respect to the role of women and their accountability for future generations. To illustrate this view, this article is structured in the format of a play. Act I explores how eugenic ideals influenced women protagonists within early twentieth century dramas. The intermission sets the stage for the convergence of the promise of emerging genetic technologies and the proliferation of civil rights movements. Act II then examines society’s embrace of the “new genetics” and how the promise and perils of this science have influenced society, especially the role of women. In analyzing these plays, this article aims to highlight the power of theatre to enhance our understanding of the complexities of the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetics

Policy Lessons Drawn from the Recent Food and Fuel Price Inflation

Inflation; Nahrungsmittelpreis; Erdölpreis; Agraraußenhandel; Wirtschaftliche Anpassung; Welt

What are the quality indicators in wound care?

This paper discusses quality indicators that relate to wound care. As clinicians will be assessed against national quality indicators from April 2010, it is important for carers working in tissue viability to gain an understanding of what they are. The Darzi report (Department of Health, 2008) identified that high quality care for patients is an aspiration that is only possible with high quality education and training for all staff involved in NHS services. Continued education and promotion of quality in the field of tissue viability will be more attainable if the NHS, higher education institutions and industry strengthen their partnerships

Ready, Set, Network! Research Speed Networking for Clinicians, Scientists and Engineers

Objectives: A 2013 Institute of Medicine report urged researchers to “engage in additional substantive and productive collaborations” to address important clinical/translational science questions. To encourage team science among our researchers, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences and Center for Clinical and Translational Research hosted a speed networking event, specifically targeting engineers, clinicians, and basic scientists; an analysis of the event is below. Methods: Invitations were distributed to clinicians, engineers, and basic scientists. To maximize interactions without increasing time spent at the event, researchers were divided into three groups. The event was planned such that each group would meet everyone from the other two groups; researchers were placed into appropriate groups according to their interests. Seated at tables of three, attendees introduced themselves and discussed their research interests for three minutes; then they rotated according to their group’s instructions. Lunch was provided afterwards to give attendees an opportunity to follow up with potential collaborators. Results: Twenty-one faculty researchers attended the speed networking event, which took about 30 minutes, excluding lunch. Using a 5-point Likert scale, all participants selected “strongly agree” or “agree” to respond to questions about whether the event was a valuable use of their time. Also, 53% of attendees “strongly” agreed with the statement “I met a potential collaborator” at the event. Discussion: Subjective evaluations show that researchers see speed networking as an effective way to meet potential collaborators. Objective data including sustained research partnerships and collaborative grant and publication submissions will be tracked

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for cancer pain in adults.

Background Cancer-related pain is complex and multi-dimensional but the mainstay of cancer pain management has predominately used a biomedical approach. There is a need for non-pharmacological and innovative approaches. Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) may have a role for a significant number of patients but the effectiveness of TENS is currently unknown. Objectives The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of TENS for cancer-related pain in adults. Search strategy We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, AMED and PEDRO databases (11/04/08). Selection criteria Only randomised controlled trials (RCTS) investigating the use of TENS for the management of cancer-related pain in adults were included. Data collection and analysis The search strategy identified 37 possible published studies which were divided between two pairs of review authors that decided on study selection. A study eligibility form was used to screen each abstract and where study eligibility could not be determined from the abstract, the full paper was obtained and assessed by one pair of review authors. A standardised data extraction sheet was used to collect information on the studies and the quality of the studies was assessed independently by two review authors using the validated five-point Oxford Quality Scale. Final scores were discussed and agreed between all four review authors. The small sample sizes and differences in patient study populations of the two included studies prevented meta-analysis. Main results Only two RCTs met the eligibility criteria (64 participants). These studies were heterogenous with respect to study population, sample size, study design, methodological quality, mode of TENS, treatment duration, method of administration and outcome measures used. In one RCT, there were no significant differences between TENS and placebo in women with chronic pain secondary to breast cancer treatment. In the other RCT, there were no significant differences between acupuncture-type TENS and sham in palliative care patients; this study was underpowered. Authors' conclusions The results of this systematic review are inconclusive due to a lack of suitable RCTs. Large multi-centre RCTs are required to assess the value of TENS in the management of cancer-related pain in adults