Is biotechnology (more) acceptable when it enables a reduction in phytosanitary treatments? A European comparison of the acceptability of transgenesis and cisgenesis

Reduced pesticide use is one of the reasons given by Europeans for accepting new genetic engineering techniques. According to the advocates of these techniques, consumers are likely to embrace the application of cisgenesis to apple trees. In order to verify the acceptability of these techniques, we estimate a Bayesian multilevel structural equation model, which takes into account the multidimensional nature of acceptability and individual, national, and European effects, using data from the Eurobarometer 2010 73.1 on science. The results underline the persistence of clear differences between European countries and whilst showing considerable defiance, a relatively wider acceptability of vertical gene transfer as a means of reducing phytosanitary treatments, compared to horizontal transfer

Bevacizumab as a treatment option for choroidal neovascularisation due to large optic nerve drusen in a 14-year-old girl

Purpose: To report the effects of a single intravitreous injection of bevacizumab for the treatment of secondary choroideal neovascularisation due to large optic disc drusen.Methods: A 14-year-old female patient with painless loss of vision in one eye presented with unusually large optic disc drusen and juxtapapillary choroidal neovascularisation with subretinal hemorrhage. She was treated with a single intravitreous injection of bevacizumab.Results: Visual acuity increased from 20/100 to 20/25 within 4 weeks after injection and remained at this level during the 12-month follow-up period.Conclusions: Bevacizumab is a possible primary treatment option for secondary choroidal neovascularisation due to large optic disc drusen in children as an alternative to other more invasive or complex procedures