scholarly journals Overstatements and Understatements in the Debate on Synthetic Biology, Bioterrorism and Ethics

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Melin
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Scientific Debate ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
Pathogenic Viruses ◽  
Point Of Departure

Synthetic biology has many valuable applications, but it also gives rise to certain risks. In this paper I discuss the risk of bioterrorism, which often attracts attention in both the mass media and scientific debate, as well as in government reports. While some authors argue that there is a significant risk of bioterrorism connected to synthetic biology, other scholars claim that the risk is exaggerated and that actors often have motives for overstating the risk. In this paper, I argue that some estimates of the risk may be overstated but that certain risks of bioterrorism, such as the creation and spread of known pathogenic viruses, need to be taken seriously. Actors may also have scientific and financial motives for understating the risk. Such understatements are sometimes based on a principle of hope, which says that technological progress is important for the future welfare of humanity and that too much precaution would have bad consequences. I argue that this principle is problematic as the burdens and benefits of synthetic biology may not be equally divided between different social groups. Instead, I claim that the principle of precaution is more justified as a point of departure for assessing advancements within synthetic biology. It tells us that we need strong evidence that such advancements are safe, because there is a potential risk that they may make it easier for terrorist groups to create and spread known pathogenic viruses.

Prevalence of Human Cystic Echinococcosis in Rio Negro Province, Argentina and Direct Risk Factors for Infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Uchiumi ◽  
Guillermo Mujica ◽  
Daniel Araya ◽  
Juan Carlos Salvitti ◽  
Mariano Sobrino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cystic Echinococcosis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Rio Negro ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Current Address

Abstract Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato This study investigated the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with human CE in the towns and rural areas of Ñorquinco and Ramos Mexia, Rio Negro province, Argentina. Methods: In order to detect abdominal CE cysts, we screened 892 volunteers by ultrasound and investigated potential risk factors for CE using a standardized questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to estimate the Prevalence Ratio (PR) and their 95% CIs of the association between CE and the factors investigated. Results: Abdominal CE was detected in 42/892 screened volunteers (4.7%, CI 3.2-6.1), only two of who being under 15 years of age. Thirteen CE (30.9%) cases had 25 cysts in active stages (CE1, CE2, CE3) The most relevant risk factors identified in the bivariate analysis included: live in rural area (p=0.003), age >40 years (p=0.000), drinking always water of natural source (p=0.007), residing in rural areas during first five years of life (p=0.000) and live more than 20 years at your current address (p=0.013). In the multivariate model, statistically significant risk factors were: frequently touch dogs (p=0.012), residing in rural areas during first five years of life (p=0.004), smoking (p=0.000), age > 60 years (p­­=0.002) and live in rural areas (p=0.017).Conclusions: our results point toward infection with CE being acquired since childhood and with constant exposure throughout life, especially in rural areas with a general environmental contamination

Conclusion: “It Sends Its Bloodhounds Everywhere”

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Fuller
Keyword(s):  
National Security ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
National Security Policy ◽  
Nation States ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
The U.S

This concluding chapter examines the legacy of the CIA's drone war on U.S. counterterrorism, wider U.S. national security policy, and the conduct of America's rivals—both nation-states and terrorist groups. It contemplates the nature of technological progress, judging that innovations always introduce potential threats and opportunities in equal measure. Furthermore, while it is almost inevitable that terrorist groups will exploit drone technology for heinous ends, the technology also offers wider commercial and civilian society opportunities, just as previous transformative technologies, first developed for the purpose of taking lives, eventually came to transform them in positive ways. The use of drones to neutralize terrorists is best understood as the embodiment of America's long-term counterterrorism goal made possible by advancements in both technology and the willingness of the U.S. government to authorize the CIA in undertaking lethal counterterrorist actions.

Industry, Family, and Class: The Working-Class Community in Barreiro

1994 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-212
Author(s):  
Ana Nunes de Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Working Class ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Regional Level ◽  
Class Groups ◽  
Promotion Strategy ◽  
Scientific Debate ◽  
Metal Workers ◽  
Industrial Town ◽  
No Man's Land ◽  
Family Strategies

Frequently placed on the edges of scientific debate and analyzed in relation to problems or theoretical constructs specific to other social groups, the portrait of the “working-class family” is too often the product of logical deductions and a sort of no-man's land. The research project described by the present article concerns factories, working-class groups, and family strategies in Barreiro, a Portuguese industrial town near Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. Special attention is given to reconstructing the industrial experience at a regional level and to the study of workers in the cork and heavy metallurgical industries of Barreiro. The results suggest the internal diversity of the working-class world and two different kinds of linkeage between family and workplace life—the survival strategy of cork workers in the 1920s, and the promotion strategy of the metal workers in the 1950s.

scholarly journals An exploration of synthetic biology: A preliminary Christian ethical assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of synthetic biology

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Riaan A.L. Rheeder
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Ethical Assessment ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Natural Function ◽  
Mycoplasma Capricolum ◽  
Mycoplasma Mycoides ◽  
Point Of Departure

On 20 May 2010, the Venter Institute in America announced that they have fully synthesised the genome of the organism Mycoplasma mycoides whilst in vitro by using a computer connected to a machine that synthesises genes. Thereafter, the genome was placed back into the casing of another organism (Mycoplasma capricolum) and it was reported that the synthesised organism and the genome functioned normally. This synthesised organism was reconstructed to function as a minute little factory with the aim of producing and secreting fuel and medicine − something that is not the natural function of this organism. There are certain potential dangers inherent in this kind of technology. Scientists fear that this technology may contaminate or infect humans, animals or the environment, and that it can as such be extremely harmful, or even lead to the destruction of humans. Other scientists are concerned that terrorists can use this technology to kill innocent citizens. Some ethicists are of the opinion that the consequences of synthetic biology is currently unpredictable and that it is therefore risky. In opposition to the potential dangers, one has to mention that synthetic biology indeed can result in far-reaching positive outcomes such as the manufacturing of biofuel and medication. Most scientists and ethicists are of the opinion that the potential dangers involved in synthetic biology should be evaluated in light of the fact that genetic manipulation has not caused any biological devastation over the last 30 years. From a Christian point of departure, the opinion is currently that synthetic biology is not an irresponsible science and technology.’n Verkenning van sintetiese biologie: ’n Voorlopige Christelik-etiese beoordeling van die voor- en nadele van sintetiese biologie. Op 20 Mei 2010 het die Venter-instituut (in Amerika) aangekondig dat hulle die genoom van die organisme Mycoplasma mycoides ten volle in vitro gesintetiseer het (deur middel van ’n rekenaar, gekoppel aan ’n masjien wat gene sintetiseer). Die berig het verder gelei dat die genoom daarna teruggeplaas is in die omhulsel van ’n ander organisme (Mycoplasma capricolum) − en dat die gesintetiseerde genoom en organisme normaal gefunksioneer het. Hierdie gesintetiseerde organisme word gerekonstrueer om as minuskule fabriek te funksioneer met die doel om brandstof en medisyne te produseer en te sekreer − wat nie die natuurlike funksie van die organisme is nie. Aan hierdie tegnologie is daar ook bepaalde potensiële gevare verbonde. Wetenskaplikes is bang dat hierdie tegnologie mens, dier en omgewing kan kontamineer of infekteer en op dié wyse groot skade kan aanrig − en selfs tot mense se dood kan lei. Ander wetenskaplikes is weer bekommerd dat hierdie tegnologie deur terroriste gebruik kan word om onskuldige burgers dood te maak. Sommige etici is oortuig dat die gevolge van sintetiese biologie tans onvoorspelbaar, en daarom riskant is. Teenoor die potensiële gevare moet gestel word dat sintetiese biologie inderdaad omvangryke positiewe uitkomste soos die vervaardiging van biobrandstof en medisyne tot gevolg kan hê. Meeste wetenskaplikes en etici is van mening dat die potensiële gevare verbonde aan sintetiese biologie beoordeel moet word in die lig van die feit dat genetiese manipulasie in die afgelope 30 jaar geen biologiese ramp veroorsaak het nie. Uit ’n Christelike oogpunt word voorlopig geoordeel dat sintetiese biologie nie ’n onverantwoordelike wetenskap en tegnologie is nie.

scholarly journals Current status of drinking water sources in the world

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Čajka ◽  
Tomáš Swiatlowski
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Global Dimension ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
The World ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Specific Position

Questions regarding the water have a specific position in the context of environmental challenges. The possibility of escalating tensions between individuals, social groups, states or groups of states may even be higher for water-related issues than with other environmental problems. According to many pessimistic forecasts in the course of the 21st century water conflicts occur, which can have tragic consequences. Even though such conflicts have not yet reached a significant regional or global dimension, the risk of such a conflict cannot be ruled out. The aim of the research is to identify other potential risk areas where the water situation will most likely worsen, which may result in a threat of violence, conflict. At the same time, we were comparing the state of renewable water resources in individual countries of the world..

The use of crypto-currencies in funding violent jihad

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela S.M. Irwin ◽  
George Milad
Keyword(s):  
Significant Risk ◽  
Fund Raising ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Terror Attacks ◽  
Value Transfer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
Behaviour Models ◽  
Foreign Fighters

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to look at current discourse on the topic of crypto-currencies, more specifically Bitcoins, and their application to funding acts of terror. The paper clearly establishes the risks posed by this new payment technology and value transfer system to assist in the process of funding, planning and implementing acts of terror. Design/methodology/approach Publications, blogs and sites published and administered by terrorists groups and their supporters are examined to determine their interest in leveraging emerging payment and value transfer systems to facilitate the funding, planning and implementation of terror attacks. Press releases and other publications are also examined to determine whether crypto-currencies have been used by these groups in fund raising, fund transfer or recent terror attacks. Findings Although it is difficult to find concrete evidence of largescale use of Bitcoins and other crypto-currencies by terrorist groups and their supporters, there is strong evidence to suggest that they have been linked to a number of terror attacks in Europe and Indonesia. Supporters of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), jihadists and terrorist organisations are actively looking to and promoting the use of new and emerging technologies, such as Bitcoin, to mitigate some of the risks associated with traditional fund transfer methods. Some websites associated with terrorist organisations have started to collect donations in Bitcoins. Many Bitcoin ATMs and Bitcoin exchanges are located in countries that have seen significant numbers of foreign fighters join ISIS in the Middle East and are also positioned in countries that have seen increased risk of terror attack. These present a significant risk because they allow for the seamless, anonymous transfer of funds to and from terrorist groups and their supporters. The paper highlights the need for further in-depth research into reliable ways to circumvent the current difficulties experienced in differentiating illicit transactions from legitimate ones and establishing reliable means of attribution. Originality/value Using a document published by ISIS, which provides would-be jihadists detailed instructions on how they can get to Syria or Iraq without being detected, a set of models were created showing how this could be achieved using Bitcoins alone. From this scenario, red flag indicators and suspicious behaviour models have been created to determine whether they can be identified during detailed analysis of the Bitcoin blockchain which will be conducted in later stages of research.

Commoners in Early Yi Dynasty Civil Examinations: An Aspect of Korean Social Structure, 1392–1600

1974 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 611-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yŏng-Ho Ch'oe
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Examination System ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Military Duty ◽  
Yi Dynasty ◽  
State Educational

The civil examination system in the Confucian state of Yi Dynasty Korea was an important channel of recruitment for government officials and the graduates of the civil examinations carried enormous power and prestige. The determination as to who participated in these examinations will shed more light on the nature of Yi society. Contrary to the prevailing belief that the civil examinations were open only to men of yangban birth and closed to the commoners, there is strong evidence suggesting commoners' participations in the examinations. Legally, there was no statutory restriction against commoners. The state educational system that trained the future examination candidates not only did not discriminate against commoners but even encouraged qualified commoners to enroll in schools. Moreover, certain social groups whose social status was clearly lower than that of commoners were also allowed in the examinations. There were also individual cases in which men of non-yangban origin rose through the civil examinations to become government officials, some holding high ranking posts. In view of such evidence, the notion that the yangban status was wholly hereditary is no longer tenable. Instead, what distinguished yangban from commoners was one's determination and commitment to pursue Confucian scholarship by enrolling in a Confucian school, for student status exempted him from burdensome military duty.

scholarly journals National Reporting Trend for HO-MRSA Bacteremia LabID Events, 2010–2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s68-s69
Author(s):  
Karen Jones ◽  
Yi Mu ◽  
Qunna Li ◽  
Allan Nkwata ◽  
Minn Soe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Quality Reporting ◽  
Potential Risk Factors

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has included surveillance of laboratory-identified (LabID) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia events since 2009. In 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began requiring acute-care hospitals (ACHs) that participate in the CMS Inpatient Quality Reporting program to report MRSA LabID events to the NHSN and, in 2015, ACHs were required to report MRSA LabID events from emergency departments (EDs) and/or 24-hour observation locations. Prior studies observed a decline in hospital-onset MRSA (HO-MRSA) rates in national studies over shorter periods or other surveillance systems. In this analysis, we review the national reporting trend for HO-MRSA bacteremia LabID events, 2010–2018. Method: This analysis was limited to MRSA bacteremia LabID event data reported by ACHs that follow NHSN surveillance protocols. The data were restricted to events reported for overall inpatient facility-wide and, if applicable, EDs and 24-hour observation locations. MRSA events were classified as HO (collected >3 days after admission) or inpatient or outpatient community onset (CO, collected ≤3 days after admission). An interrupted time series random-effects generalized linear model was used to examine the relationship between HO-MRSA incidence rates (per 1,000 patient days) and time (year) while controlling for potential risk factors as fixed effects. The following potential risk factors were evaluated: facility’s annual survey data (facility type, medical affiliation, length of facility stay, number of beds, and number of intensive care unit beds) and quarterly summary data (inpatient and outpatient CO prevalence rates). Result: The number of reporting ACHs increased during this period, from 473 in 2010 to 3,651 in 2018. The crude HO-MRSA incidence rates (per 1,000 patient days) have declined over time, from a high of 0.067 in 2011 to 0.052 in 2018 (Table 1). Compared to 2014, the adjusted annual incidence rate increased in 2015 by 16.38%, (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.26%–22.84%; P < .0001). After controlling for all significant risk factors, the estimated annual HO-MRSA incidence rates declined by 5.98% (95% CI, 5.17%–6.78%; P < .0001) (Table 2). Conclusions: HO-MRSA bacteremia incidence rates have decreased over the past 9 years, despite a slight increase in 2015. This national trend analysis reviewed a longer period while analyzing potential risk factors. The decline in HO-MRSA incidence rates has been gradual; however, given the current trend, it is not likely to meet the Healthy People 2020 objectives. This analysis suggests the need for hospitals to continue and/or enhance HO-MRSA infection prevention efforts to reduce rates further.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Modern Challenges of the Globalized Era: Society and Church in Search of Answers

2013 ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
Petro Sauh
Keyword(s):  
Global Change ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
New World ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
New Era ◽  
World Outlook ◽  
The World ◽  
Universal Values ◽  
Common Destiny ◽  
The Church

The world in which we live for millennia is a breakthrough, entering into a lane of profound changes, in which the whole of our life is rebuilt and rebuilt. Untwisted to the maximum turns the flywheel of transformations has touched and is ready to deform various spheres of existence of man and humanity: the relation between humanity and the planet in which it lives; the interaction between the states, each of which is looking for its own ways to the future and, at the same time, can not but reckon with the interests of other nations and states; the struggle of social groups and the confrontation of religions, in the interrelationships of which they are struggling to realize that humanity has a common destiny and that universal values ​​and ideals must come first, become the main ones in the interaction between people; high pace of scientific and technological progress, which far from unequivocally affect both the knowledge of our lives, and on ourselves. In other words: we are faced with a new world - both in the latest technologies, in new forms of life, in new ways of worldview and world outlook, and most importantly in those global threats, in which the contradiction between the new realities of our existence and the established forms and methods unfolds. an attitude to this world. It is no coincidence that society and the church face an acute problem of adaptation to global change, the formation of a new worldview that corresponds to a new era.

scholarly journals A community based case-control study to determine the risk factors of dengue fever in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Sahidur Rahman ◽  
Fatema Mehejabin ◽  
Rumana Rashid
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Dengue Fever ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Dengue Infection ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Case Control ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Tropical Country ◽  
Control Study

In a tropical country like Bangladesh where the climatic condition favors the growth of Aedes mosquito vectors, the success of dengue prevention depends largely on the proper identification and controlling of the socio-demographic and lifestyle-related risk factors. A case-control study including 150 cases and 150 controls were conducted aimed to explore the potential risk and protective factors and their association with dengue virus infection in the Chattogram district of Bangladesh. Cases were confirmed for dengue patients admitted in Chattogram medical college hospital and Bangladesh institute of tropical and infectious diseases during August and September 2019. Whereas, controls were non-dengue patients admitted in other departments of the same hospitals through gender age and location matching. The questionnaire data were collected through telephone-based interviews which included information regarding general demography, daily life activities, housing with its surroundings status. Chi-square and binary logistic regression were performed for identifying potential risk factors and their association with the occurrences of dengue fever. The study found that travel history to the high incidence area, the place of staying most of the time, living in 21 to 40 years old houses, and the temporary residence of the city were statistically significant risk factors for getting the dengue infection. On contrary, Quality of indoor daylight, ventilation, bus stand/garage, stagnant water, and any construction site around 250 meters of the house did not show significant association with dengue fever.

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