http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/bioethics/ Bioethics. Read the latest research on medical technology, stem cells, cloning and other topics related to bioethics. en-us Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:05:01 EST Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/bioethics/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123212542.htm Typically conducted in richer, developed countries but now increasingly done in the developing world, genome wide association studies raise a host of ethical issues that must be addressed, experts argue. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123212542.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116131833.htm With 900,000 assisted reproduction treatments annually such as IVF and intrauterine inseminations in Europe the Commission's proposal to screen both partners before each treatment could lead to costs of over EUR 140 million annually. These figures do not include the additional overhead costs such as administration, personnel and documentation that the hospitals would have to carry on top of that. The new interpretation of the EU Directive would have substantial implications on the costs of fertility treatments in Europe. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116131833.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111092045.htm An important, ground-breaking initiative is unfolding in the global critical care community in response to the H1N1 pandemic. While front-line health-care workers and infectious disease experts around the world are working round the clock to control, treat and prevent H1N1 infection, those who deal with the most severely ill patients -- physicians working in hospital intensive care units (ICUs) -- have joined forces to develop a more coordinated, long-term approach to H1N1. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111092045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110202851.htm As African nations are poised to undergo the highest increase in the rate of tobacco use among developing countries, nearly 90 percent of people on the continent remain without meaningful protection from secondhand smoke, according to a new report. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110202851.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121044.htm As health insurers require people to base more treatment decisions on out-of-pocket costs, physicians should learn to talk to patients about money, according to researchers. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121044.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141208.htm Compared with veteran doctors, recent medical school graduates are more likely to refer chronic kidney disease patients for kidney transplantation before their patients require dialysis, according to a new paper. These findings suggest that more recent medical training is associated with early referral. This is potentially due to a lack of knowledge about preemptive kidney transplantation among more veteran physicians. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141208.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141204.htm Get-togethers with a kidney disease patient's family and friends can improve their willingness to consider donation. The findings indicate that group-education of patients' relatives and friends is an effective way to help alleviate the organ shortage and increase living donations. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141204.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020181255.htm The proportion of in vitro fertilization multiple births was lower in the eight states that provide insurance coverage for couples seeking IVF treatment, primarily due to fewer embryos transferred per cycle, researchers report. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020181255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015163557.htm The perception that antibiotic resistance is primarily the undesirable consequence of antibiotic abuse or misuse is a view that is simplistic and inaccurate, according to a recent report by the American Academy of Microbiology. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015163557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007124404.htm Medical tourism in Latin America needs to be regulated to protect consumers, according to researchers. A new study argues that Argentinean fertility clinics are increasingly marketing themselves to international health care consumers: these clinics offer all-inclusive packages with fixed prices that feature airfare, accommodations, transfers, language interpreters and, of course, fertility treatments. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007124404.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007171739.htm A massive international study is underway to investigate the possible genetic effects of radiation and cancer drug exposures on future generations. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007171739.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091009092354.htm A comprehensive study has revealed, for the first time, the impact of swine flu on the health of the general public in Australia and New Zealand. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091009092354.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005181223.htm In a city the size of New York, starting a vaccination campaign a few weeks earlier could save almost 600 lives and more than $150 million, according to a new study. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005181223.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923132958.htm The anticipated onset of a second wave of the H1N1 influenza pandemic could present a host of thorny medical ethics issues best considered well in advance, according bioethicists. Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923132958.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002132346.htm The devastation of the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic is well known, but a new article suggests a surprising factor in the high death toll: the misuse of aspirin. AThe article sounds a cautionary note as present day concerns about the novel H1N1 virus run high. Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002132346.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901163926.htm At a time when medicine tends to focus on patients as a "collection of visceral organs and a nervous system," systems medicine provides a new approach to medical practice that is "anticipated to result in more comprehensive and systematic patient care." In a recent commentary, two researchers ask, "Is there a future for systems medicine" particularly as the country considers a health care overhaul? Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901163926.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928201843.htm In a new paper, researchers discuss the scientific and ethical issues associated with choosing clinical trial designs when there is no consensus on what constitutes usual care. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928201843.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921162156.htm Hummer drivers believe they are defending America's frontier lifestyle against anti-American critics, according to a new study. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921162156.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924093355.htm Recent research on the Cohen Y chromosome indicates the Jewish priesthood, the Cohanim, was established by several unrelated male lines rather than a single male lineage dating to ancient Hebrew times. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924093355.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923143339.htm New approaches are needed to help humanity deal with climate change and other global environmental threats that lie ahead in the 21st century, according to a group of 28 internationally renowned scientists. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923143339.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922162403.htm Private cord blood banking is not cost-effective because it costs an additional $1,374,246 per life-year gained, according to a new analysis. The research team also concluded that private cord blood banking is cost-effective only for families with a child with a very high likelihood of needing a stem cell transplant. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922162403.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921161803.htm Many indoor tanning businesses require parental consent for teenagers to use their facilities, but most would allow young tanners more than the government-recommended amount of exposure during the first week, according to a new report. Facilities with specific state laws regarding parental consent or accompaniment were more likely to require these steps. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921161803.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916173336.htm Zero tolerance laws have zero effect, says one expert, who analyzed data from 30,000 fatalities in nighttime accidents involving drivers under 21. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916173336.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914131933.htm Researchers provided a nationally-represented sample of adults with an online survey about the US Supreme Court's ruling on physician-assisted suicide. More religious participants tended to trust the Supreme Court's ability to make the right decision while the group with strong moral convictions felt distrust. And both groups, as it turned out, based their beliefs on a gut reaction rather than on thoughtful, careful deliberation. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914131933.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908125129.htm The introduction of K-12 engineering education has the potential to improve student learning and achievement in science and mathematics, increase awareness about what engineers do and of engineering as a potential career and boost students' technological literacy, according to a new report from the National Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908125129.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909133018.htm Sharing the fruits of research in the biomedical sciences is critical for the advance of knowledge, yet with the advent of large-scale data gathering following the completion of the genome projects this is becoming harder to facilitate and more difficult to monitor, experts report. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909133018.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909122106.htm The prevailing wisdom among many scientists and scientific organizations is that, as a rule, scientists are press shy, and those who aren't are mavericks. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909122106.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907142510.htm European researchers have created a legal analysis query engine that combines artificial intelligence, game theory and semantics to offer advice, conflict prevention and dispute settlement for European law, and it even supports policy. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907142510.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902122448.htm A monkey that has acquired the sole power to hand out apples is generously rewarded with grooming sessions by the other monkeys in its group. But as soon as another monkey can hand out apples as well, the market value of the first monkey is halved. The monkeys therefore unerringly obey the law of supply and demand. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902122448.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904071704.htm The public health measures taken in response to swine flu may be seen as alarmist, overly restrictive, or even unjustified, says one U.S. expert who argues that our plans for pandemics need to take into account more than the worst case scenarios, and calls for a new framework for thinking about epidemic disease. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904071704.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082858.htm Fears that medical research using tissue such as blood or material from biopsies would be obstructed by the UK Human Tissue Act 2004 may have been unfounded, a new study reveals. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090831130702.htm Three out of ten women who undergo polar body diagnosis go on to have a child. The extensive technique of polar body analysis is described by researchers in reproductive medicine at Lubeck in an article in the current edition of Deutsches Artzeblatt International, in which they present three successful cases and one failure. Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090831130702.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090825171624.htm Is it more urgent for hospitals, doctors and nurses to focus resources on preventing the thousands of falls that injure hospitalized patients each year, or to home in on preventing rare but dramatic instances of wrong-side surgery? Is it best to concentrate immediately on preventing pediatric medical errors or on preventing drug interactions in the elderly? Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090825171624.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090812163901.htm For years journalists and others have questioned the ethics of public relations practitioners and firms. People in PR, however, appear to be getting a bad rap. That's what a new study funded by the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication at Penn State University has found. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090812163901.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090814192853.htm Laws aimed at tackling illegal use of wireless internet connections are restricting attempts to increase broadband access, according to new research. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090814192853.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730073917.htm A UK hospital that combined its bereavement and donation services saw a forty-fold increase in tissue donations, such as corneas, in just five years. Between 2002 and 2007 the number of tissue donors rose from six to 246, while solid organ donation rates remained stable. The introduction of an automatic trigger to the regional transplant donor co-ordinators in 2007 resulted in 31 referrals and 11 multi-organ donors. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730073917.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803185722.htm If the federal government implements a 2007 legal interpretation of the Endangered Species Act, the likely result will be a reduction in the number of species listed for protection, scientists say. Researchers analyzed potential effects of a legal memorandum issued in March 2007 by the Department of the Interior, which, among other points, advised the US Fish and Wildlife Service that only an endangered species' current range need factor into whether the species is listed for protection. Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803185722.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803084010.htm The new research field of synthetic biology will, in the medium term, open up a great deal of potential for combining novel genetic methods with engineering principles. This will facilitate the development, not only of new vaccines and medicines, but also of fuels and new materials. Early-stage dialogue with the public on the natural science, legal, economic and ethical issues is crucial for the success and acceptance of this new technology. Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803084010.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720134227.htm Mathematical modeling can help inform public health policy in outbreaks such as the H1N1 pandemic, write members of the Pandemic Influenza Outbreak Research Modeling Team in Canada. These models are useful tools for simulating plausible scenarios, developing control strategies and identifying important areas for immediate research. Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720134227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716164339.htm The repeal of the federal speed control law in 1995 has resulted in an increase in road fatalities and injuries, according to researchers. Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716164339.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709124743.htm As the 40th anniversary of the moon landing approaches, a new report finds that overwhelming majorities of Americans believe that science has had a positive effect on society and that science has made life easier for most people. The public also rates scientists highly and believes government investments in science pay off in the long term. Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709124743.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709170750.htm An ambitious new national study that aims to follow children from conception through adulthood will miss a golden opportunity to gather data on the most underrepresented population in clinical research -- pregnant women, say leading ethicists. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709170750.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702140847.htm The need for a clear set of rules governing genetic ancestry testing is becoming more urgent, according to experts, given the proliferation of private corporations that promise consumers insight into their genetic origins. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702140847.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702132823.htm More than 40 scientists, bioethicists, lawyers and science journal editors are calling on their colleagues, policy makers and the public to begin developing guidelines for the research and reproductive use of stem cell-derived eggs and sperm, even though such use may be a decade or more away. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702132823.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629165552.htm The decision to use expensive cancer therapies that typically produce only a relatively short extension of survival is a serious ethical dilemma in the United States that needs to be addressed by the oncology community, according to a commentary published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629165552.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625133220.htm Whatever their reason for posting their thoughts online, bloggers have a shared ethical code, according to a recent study. Key issues in the blogosphere are telling the truth, accountability, minimizing harm and attribution, although the extent to which bloggers follow their own ethical ideals can depend on the context and intended audience. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625133220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622194338.htm Making rules can be just as difficult as complying with them. Researchers investigated how well the Personal Data Protection Act (Dutch acronym Wbp) is harmonised with other rules that firms must comply with. Her findings: sometimes it is very difficult for firms to adhere to the rules of the Wbp. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622194338.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615112219.htm Could an entirely new approach to online security, based on distributed sanctions, help prevent cybercrime, fraud and identity theft? A report in the International Journal of Intercultural Information Management suggests it could. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615112219.htm