The Need for Regulation of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing in the United States: Assessing and Applying the German Policy Model

In 2008, Time Magazine declared 23andMe’s retail DNA test the “Invention of the Year.” The actual value of this and other direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) genetic tests remains to be seen, however, and government agencies worldwide have been left to decide if and how strictly to regulate this relatively new but growing field of genetic technology. This Note explores the ever-evolving genetics testing industry, specifically DTC tests that are manufactured and marketed by private companies. Part I evaluates the arguments in favor of DTC genetic testing, and Part II assesses the concerns held by those opposed to DTC testing. After giving an overview of the current United States regulatory framework in Part III, Part IV outlines a selection of regulatory recommendations published by various American and international genetics organizations and governmental agencies. Part V then examines Germany’s regulatory approach, which results in an effective ban on DTC genetic testing. Ultimately, after addressing some proposed solutions, Part VI advocates for a regulatory approach in the United States comparable to Germany’s, though less strict and more nuanced

Using multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to assist in estimating residential housing values

Considerable literature exists regarding the complexity of the residential real estate appraisal process and the methods employed to determine initial listing prices as estimates of intrinsic market prices. Deviations in residential real estate intrinsic values occur due to a multiplicity of attributes and explanatory factors requiring consideration. We conduct a panel study using a Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) based framework that utilizes the skills and knowledge of a panel of residential real estate professionals (i.e. appraisers and realtors). We demonstrate how cognitive mapping and the Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH) may assist in estimating appropriate offer/sale prices and strengthening current valuation approaches such as using comparables and/or hedonic modeling. The managerial implications of our MCDA-based framework and some avenues for future research are also presented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A rule-based decision support system for real estate brokerage service evaluation

Real estate brokers or realtors are expected to possess superior knowledge of their local markets, and typically require commissions in return for their services. The evaluation of their performance is an important issue in justifying their commissions. We develop a learning-oriented decision-making process for evaluating real estate brokerage services, which concentrates on understanding the nature, the role and the interaction of the evaluation aspects of real estate brokerage service quality by integrating cognitive maps and the Decision EXpert (DEX) approach. Results suggest that this framework permits new rudiments to be considered in the realtor decision-making and sales process, facilitating transparency and understanding of realtor functions that may lead to recommendations to improve the performance and quality of these functions. Avenues for future research are also presented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Value of Mortgage Assumptions: An Empirical Test

This study provides an empirical test of the two main techniques for calculating the financing premium for assumption financed sales, cash equivalence adjustment (CEA) and financed-fee valuation adjustment (FFVA). The results indicate that both the CEA and FFVA computational techniques overvalue the premium associated with assumption financing. A variation of the empirical test is considered that differentiates this study from previous studies. This variation allows for a test of the hypothesis that the proportion of the financing premium capitalized into the sales price is a function of the loan-to-price ratio. It is concluded that this hypothesis cannot be rejected.

Using multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to assist in estimating residential housing values

Considerable literature exists regarding the complexity of the residential real estate appraisal process and the methods employed to determine initial listing prices as estimates of intrinsic market prices. Deviations in residential real estate intrinsic values occur due to a multiplicity of attributes and explanatory factors requiring consideration. We conduct a panel study using a Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) based framework that utilizes the skills and knowledge of a panel of residential real estate professionals (i.e. appraisers and realtors). We demonstrate how cognitive mapping and the Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH) may assist in estimating appropriate offer/sale prices and strengthening current valuation approaches such as using comparables and/or hedonic modeling. The managerial implications of our MCDA-based framework and some avenues for future research are also presented

Embedded Weapons-Grade Tungsten Alloy Shrapnel Rapidly Induces Metastatic High-Grade Rhabdomyosarcomas in F344 Rats

Continuing concern regarding the potential health and environmental effects of depleted uranium and lead has resulted in many countries adding tungsten alloy (WA)-based munitions to their battlefield arsenals as replacements for these metals. Because the alloys used in many munitions are relatively recent additions to the list of militarily relevant metals, very little is known about the health effects of these metals after internalization as embedded shrapnel. Previous work in this laboratory developed a rodent model system that mimicked shrapnel loads seen in wounded personnel from the 1991 Persian Gulf War. In the present study, we used that system and male F344 rats, implanted intramuscularly with pellets (1 mm × 2 mm cylinders) of weapons-grade WA, to simulate shrapnel wounds. Rats were implanted with 4 (low dose) or 20 pellets (high dose) of WA. Tantalum (20 pellets) and nickel (20 pellets) served as negative and positive controls, respectively. The high-dose WA-implanted rats (n = 46) developed extremely aggressive tumors surrounding the pellets within 4–5 months after implantation. The low-dose WA-implanted rats (n = 46) and nickel-implanted rats (n = 36) also developed tumors surrounding the pellets but at a slower rate. Rats implanted with tantalum (n = 46), an inert control metal, did not develop tumors. Tumor yield was 100% in both the low- and high-dose WA groups. The tumors, characterized as high-grade pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcomas by histopathology and immunohistochemical examination, rapidly metastasized to the lung and necessitated euthanasia of the animal. Significant hematologic changes, indicative of polycythemia, were also observed in the high-dose WA-implanted rats. These changes were apparent as early as 1 month postimplantation in the high-dose WA rats, well before any overt signs of tumor development. These results point out the need for further studies investigating the health effects of tungsten and tungsten-based alloys