Cruelty to animals in the East Asian context : Andrew Linzey’s animal theology in conversation with eco-theology

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2022.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Christian theology. This is the ultimate contribution of this study – an engagement with animal theology and resources from eco-theology that can enrich theological and ethical reflection among Christians in the East Asian context. The outcome of the study offers a reinterpretation of our understanding of God, humanity, and animals within the context of East Asia. These theological and ethical resources enable us to move away from characteristically anthropocentric East Asian theologies while promoting an organic and eco-centric understanding of the relationships between God, humans, and non-human animals. This is the first study of its kind in the East Asian context. The contribution falls within the realm of ecotheology and animal theology. The outcomes of the research stress that animals are God’s creatures; that animals are not merely a means towards human ends; that animals are objects of God’s love and concern; that animals are endowed with inherent value by God; that animals are our fellow creatures and companions on earth; and that we must coexist in just and ethical ways in order to honour God and one another. The outcomes of the study can lay a foundation that offers contextual resources to encourage Christians and churches in East Asia in their struggle for holistic liberation. The conclusions of the study can help in further addressing this shameful form of human cruelty against animals (our fellow creatures), and aid in the establishment of greater animal rights and ecological harmony.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dieremishandeling is 'n ernstige sosiale, etiese, ekologiese en teologiese probleem in Oos-Asie. Dwarsdeur die wereld ly diere aan menslike uitbuiting, insluitend intensiewe industriele boerdery, eksperimentering, vermaak vir mense en die finansiele handel van wild. In Oos-Asie ly diere aansienlik weens apatie, onoordeelkundige verbruik van diere en verskeie vorme van uitbuiting wat eie is aan die kulturele en sosiale konteks. Boonop lei die koste van die onoordeelkundige uitbuiting van diere tot die verspreiding van aansteeklike siektes (soos Covid-19 wat vermoedelik afkomstig is van 'n lewendehawemark in Wuhan, China). Boonop dra die uitbuiting van diere by tot klimaatsverandering, en word die ekologiese krisis verder verdiep. Dit wek natuurlik groot morele kommer oor die welstand van diere in die streek. Filosowe, wetenskaplikes, bioloe en diere-aktiviste van 'n wye reeks dissiplines het probeer om die probleem van wreedheid teenoor diere regoor die wereld aan te spreek. Soos hierdie navorsing toon, was hul pogings egter nog nie so suksesvol in Oos-Asie nie. Hierdie navorsing toon veral dat daar 'n gaping in kennis is wanneer dit kom by Oos-Asiatiese Christelike teologie en teologiese etiek wat wreedheid teenoor diere aanspreek. In hierdie proefskrif word aangevoer dat bestaande Christelike teologie as katalisator vir die uitbuiting van, en geweld teen, diere gedien het. Daarom het hierdie navorsing ten doel om ons siening van diere te hersien deur 'n teologiese en etiese herinterpretasie van ons gedeelde plek en rolle in die skepping te bied. Om hierdie rede poog hierdie proefskrif om die implikasies van wreedheid teenoor diere in Oos- Asie aan te spreek deur twee primere gespreksgenote te betrek. Hulle is historiese en kontemporere ekoteologiee en Andrew Linzey se diereteologie. Eerstens fokus ons op Linzey se diereteologie. Hy is 'n belangrike baanbreker in hierdie debat. Sy bydrae het gevorm hoe Christene regoor die wereld hul teologiese oortuigings, en etiese betrokkenheid, met betrekking tot diere herwaardeer. Sy werk is egter nog nie in verband gebring met die Oos-Asiatiese Christelike konteks nie. Tweedens maak ons gebruik van geselekteerde hulpbronne uit die veld van ekoteologie. Hierdie veld van teologiese refleksie help ons om 'n begrip van die teologiese belangrikheid van die hele skepping te ontwikkel. Derdens, alhoewel teologiee uit hierdie velde (diereteologiee en ekologiese teologiee) nie altyd ooreenstem met betrekking tot hul benadering tot dierekwessies nie, bied dit aan ons 'n ryk stel teologiese hulpbronne om die probleem van wreedheid teen diere in Oos-Asiatiese Christelike teologie aan te spreek. Dit is die uiteindelike bydrae van hierdie studie – 'n gesprekvoering met diereteologie en hulpbronne uit ekoteologie wat teologiese en etiese refleksie onder Christene in die Oos-Asiatiese konteks kan verryk. Die uitkoms van die studie bied 'n herinterpretasie van ons begrip van God, die mensdom en diere binne die konteks van Oos-Asie. Hierdie teologiese en etiese hulpbronne stel ons in staat om weg te beweeg van kenmerkende antroposentriese Oos-Asiatiese teologiee terwyl ons 'n organiese en ekosentriese begrip van die verhoudings tussen God, mense en nie-menslike diere bevorder. Dit is die eerste studie van sy soort in die Oos-Asiatiese konteks. Die bydrae val binne die gebied van ekoteologie en diereteologie. Die uitkomste van die navorsing beklemtoon dat diere God se skepsels is; dat diere nie bloot middele vir menslike doeleindes is nie; dat diere voorwerpe van God se liefde en besorgdheid is; dat diere deur God met inherente waarde toegerus is; dat diere ons medeskepsele en metgeselle op aarde is; en dat ons op regverdige en etiese maniere saam moet bestaan om God en mekaar te eer. Die uitkomste van die studie kan 'n grondslag le wat kontekstuele hulpbronne bied om Christene en kerke in Oos-Asie aan te moedig in hul stryd vir holistiese bevryding. Die gevolgtrekkings van die studie kan help om hierdie skandelike vorm van menslike wreedheid teen diere (ons medewesens) verder aan te spreek en help met die vestiging van groter diereregte en ekologiese harmonie.Doctora

Clinical characteristics of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in tuberous sclerosis complex

International audienceBackground: This study evaluated the characteristics of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) entered into the TuberOus SClerosis registry to increase disease Awareness (TOSCA). Methods: The study was conducted at 170 sites across 31 countries. Data from patients of any age with a documented clinical visit for TSC in the 12 months preceding enrollment or those newly diagnosed with TSC were entered. Results: SEGA were reported in 554 of 2,216 patients (25%). Median age at diagnosis of SEGA was 8 years (range, 18 years. SEGA were symptomatic in 42.1% of patients. Symptoms included increased seizure frequency (15.8%), behavioural disturbance (11.9%), and regression/loss of cognitive skills (9.9%), in addition to those typically associated with increased intracranial pressure. SEGA were significantly more frequent in patients with TSC2 compared to TSC1 variants (33.7 vs. 13.2 %, p < 0.0001). Main treatment modalities included surgery (59.6%) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors (49%). Conclusions: Although SEGA diagnosis and growth typically occurs during childhood, SEGA can occur and grow in both infants and adults

Treatment patterns and use of resources in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex : insights from the TOSCA registry

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a rare autosomal-dominant disorder caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes. Patients with TSC may suffer from a wide range of clinical manifestations; however, the burden of TSC and its impact on healthcare resources needed for its management remain unknown. Besides, the use of resources might vary across countries depending on the country-specific clinical practice. The aim of this paper is to describe the use of TSC-related resources and treatment patterns within the TOSCA registry. A total of 2,214 patients with TSC from 31 countries were enrolled and had a follow-up of up to 5 years. A search was conducted to identify the variables containing both medical and non-medical resource use information within TOSCA. This search was performed both at the level of the core project as well as at the level of the research projects on epilepsy, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA), lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), and renal angiomyolipoma (rAML) taking into account the timepoints of the study, age groups, and countries. Data from the quality of life (QoL) research project were analyzed by type of visit and age at enrollment. Treatments varied greatly depending on the clinical manifestation, timepoint in the study, and age groups. GAB Aergics were the most prescribed drugs for epilepsy, and mTOR inhibitors are dramatically replacing surgery in patients with SEGA, despite current recommendations proposing both treatment options. mTOR inhibitors are also becoming common treatments in rAML and LAM patients. Forty-two out of the 143 patients (29.4%) who participated in the QoL research project reported inpatient stays over the last year. Data from non-medical resource use showed the critical impact of TSC on job status and capacity. Disability allowances were more common in children than adults (51.1% vs 38.2%). Psychological counseling, social services and social worker services were needed by <15% of the patients, regardless of age. The long-term nature, together with the variability in its clinical manifestations, makes TSC a complex and resource-demanding disease. The present study shows a comprehensive picture of the resource use implications of TSC