Means and ends of effective global risk assessments for genetic pest management
AbstractThe development and use of genetic technologies is regulated by countries according to their national laws and governance structures. Legal frameworks require comprehensive technical evidence to be submitted by an applicant on the biology of the organism, its safety to human, animal health and the environment in which it will be released. Some countries also require information on socio-economic and trade impacts. One of the key elements that assists decision-making under those legal frameworks is the use of risk assessments. The risk assessment paradigm of problem formulation based on risk hypothesis, and the asse...
Source: BMC Proceedings - July 19, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Towards inclusive social appraisal: risk, participation and democracy in governance of synthetic biology
AbstractFrameworks that govern the development and application of novel products, such as the products of synthetic biology, should involve all those who are interested or potentially affected by the products. The governance arrangements for novel products should also provide a democratic mechanism that allows affected parties to express their opinions on the direction that innovation does or does not take. In this paper we examine rationales, obstacles and opportunities for public participation in governance of novel synthetic biology products. Our analysis addresses issues such as uncertainties, the considering of altern...
Source: BMC Proceedings - July 19, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Public engagement pathways for emerging GM insect technologies
AbstractPolicy and management related to the release of organisms generated by emerging biotechnologies for pest management should be informed through public engagement. Regulatory decisions can be conceptually distinguished into the development of frameworks, the assessment of the release of a specific modified organism, and implementation decisions such as location and timing. Although these decisions are often intertwined in practice, the negotiation takes place at different stages of technology development and suggests different roles for public engagement. Some approaches to public engagement are more appropriate for ...
Source: BMC Proceedings - July 19, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Regulation of emerging gene technologies in India
AbstractIn India, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the products thereof are regulated under the “Rules for the manufacture, use, import, export& storage of hazardous microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms or cells, 1989 ” (referred to as Rules, 1989) notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These Rules are implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Department of Biotechnology and State Governments though six competent authorities. The Rules, 1989 are supported by series o f guidelines on contained research, biologics, confined field trials, food safety as...
Source: BMC Proceedings - July 19, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Gene drives in our future: challenges of and opportunities for using a self-sustaining technology in pest and vector management
AbstractGene drives are systems of biased inheritance that enhance the likelihood a sequence of DNA passes between generations through sexual reproduction and potentially throughout a local population and ultimately all connected populations of a species. Gaps in our knowledge of gene drive systems prompted the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Foundation for the NIH to ask the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to convene an expert panel to provide an independent, objective examination of what we know about gene drive systems. The report, “Gene drives on the horizon: Advanc...
Source: BMC Proceedings - July 19, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
An Introduction to the Proceedings of the Environmental Release of Engineered Pests: Building an International Governance Framework
AbstractIn October 2016, a two-day meeting of 65 academic, government and industry professionals was held at North Carolina State University for early-stage discussions about the international governance ofgene drives: potentially powerful new technologies that can be used for the control of pests, invasive species and disease vectors. Presenters at the meeting prepared seven manuscripts elaborating on the ideas raised. ThisBMC Proceedings issue presents the collection of these peer-reviewed manuscripts. (Source: BMC Proceedings)
Source: BMC Proceedings - July 19, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
GM insect pests under the Brazilian regulatory framework: development and perspectives
This article discusses the genesis of the Brazilian regulatory framework, its applicability for the risk assessment of genetically modified insects and the scenarios that have shaped the two biosafety laws that established the basis for the use of modern biotechnology in the country. It is concluded that, for the adoption of the new technologies, it is important to carefully navigate the political tensions by seeking the engagement and empowerment of stakeholders supporting science-based decision-making in order to gather the necessary support for adoption of risk assessment as the basis for final decisions, allowing the u...
Source: BMC Proceedings - July 19, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Proceedings of the first African Health Forum: effective partnerships and intersectoral collaborations are critical for attainment of Universal Health Coverage in Africa
ConclusionsThe commitment to achieve UHC was a collective expression of the belief that all people should have access to the health services they need without risk of financial hardship. The attainment of UHC will require a significant paradigm shift, including development of new partnerships especially public-private partnerships in selected areas with limited government resources, intersectoral collaboration to engage in interventions that affect health but are outside the purview of the ministries in charge of health and identification of public health issues where knowledge gaps exist as research priorities. The delibe...
Source: BMC Proceedings - July 3, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Correction to: Harmonizing national abortion and pregnancy prevention laws and policies for sexual violence survivors with the Maputo Protocol: proceedings of a 2016 regional technical meeting in sub-Saharan Africa
After publication of the original article [1], it was noticed one of the author ’s Given Names was misspelled. Sarah Rich’s name was misspelled as Sara Rich. The author’s name is correctly presented in the author list of this correction. (Source: BMC Proceedings)
Source: BMC Proceedings - June 5, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
The vitamin D paradox in Black Americans: a systems-based approach to investigating clinical practice, research, and public health - expert panel meeting report
AbstractThe Office of Dietary Supplements, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the National Institute on Aging, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, all components of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, co-sponsored an expert panel meeting to discuss the vitamin D paradox in Black Americans. The paradox is that despite markedly low (or “deficient”) measures of vitamin D status in Black Americans, the incidence of falls, fractures, or osteopenia are significantly lower compared to White American counterparts with similar vitamin D status. Six panelis...
Source: BMC Proceedings - May 9, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Harmonizing national abortion and pregnancy prevention laws and policies for sexual violence survivors with the Maputo Protocol: proceedings of a 2016 regional technical meeting in sub-Saharan Africa
Discussions on EC in this regard centered on strengthening EC delivery in the clinical context, decentralizing EC services, increasing community awareness, and overcoming policy barriers. Safe abortion discussions focused primarily on legislation, policy, and integrating these services into existing services for sexual violence survivors. Country-specific action plans were developed to address gaps and weaknesses.The regional technical meeting concluded with a discussion of practical steps that participants could take to facilitate legal, policy, and program reform with respect to pregnancy prevention and safe abortion in ...
Source: BMC Proceedings - April 24, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Reflections on migrant and refugee health in Malaysia and the ASEAN region
AbstractMigrants and refugees face challenges accessing both healthcare and good social determinants of health in Malaysia. Participants at the “Migrant and Refugee Health in Malaysia workshop, Kuala Lumpur, 9-10 November 2017” scoped these challenges within the regional ASEAN context, identifying gaps in knowledge and practical steps forward to improve the evidence base in the Malaysia. (Source: BMC Proceedings)
Source: BMC Proceedings - April 24, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Abstracts from the 25th European Society for Animal Cell Technology Meeting: Cell Technologies for Innovative Therapies
(Source: BMC Proceedings)
Source: BMC Proceedings - March 15, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Proceedings of the 2nd BEAT-PCD Conference and 3rd PCD training School: part 2
(Source: BMC Proceedings)
Source: BMC Proceedings - March 5, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Proceedings of the 2nd BEAT-PCD conference and 3rd PCD training school: part 1
In this report, we summarize the meeting, highlighting developments made during the meeting. (Source: BMC Proceedings)
Source: BMC Proceedings - March 5, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
