A genetic basis for anomalous band patterns encountered during DNA STR profiling

Since 1995 the Forensic Science Service (FSS) has carried out DNA profiling of reference samples for the UK National DNA Database and in forensic casework using two multiplex STR profiling systems. During this period, profiles with anomalous banding patterns, although comparatively rare, have been encountered regularly. The FSS has collected instances of triallelic patterns and aberrant diallelic patterns. A systematic examination of these patterns has provided insight into their underlying genetic cause. The triallelic patterns could be classified into two types based on the relative intensities of their component alleles. In the Type 1 pattern the alleles were of uneven intensity, whereas in the Type 2 pattern, all three alleles were of even intensity. Evidence is presented that the more frequent Type 1 pattern is the result of somatic mutation at a heterozygous locus, and the Type 2 pattern is the result of a localized chromosomal rearrangement at a heterozygous locus. Directly from the Type 1 pattern, it was possible to deduce the size difference between the progenitor and mutated allele. All mutational changes were found to be multiples of four nucleotides, suggesting the loss or addition of one or more tetrameric repeat units. Aberrant diallelic patterns were identified by analysts due to an unexpectedly large difference in intensity between alleles at a heterozygous locus. While some of these diallelic patterns are likely caused by the same genetic phenomena described above occurring at a homozygous locus, others are demonstrated to be caused by a mutation in the primer binding sequence, leading to a reduction in amplification efficiency of one allele. It is concluded that based on a visual inspection of a profile, it is possible to infer a likely genetic basis directly from the triallelic pattern. By contrast, the aberrant diallelic patterns can be due to any one of a number of possible genetic effects.     

Private thoughts of public representatives: assisted death, voluntary euthanasia and politicians

Assisted death and voluntary euthanasia have received significant and sustained media attention in recent years. High-profile cases of people seeking assistance to end their lives have raised, at least in the popular press, debate about whether individuals should be able to seek such assistance at a time when they consider their suffering to be unbearable or their quality of life unsatisfactory. Other recent developments include a number of attempts to legislate on the issue by the minor parties in Australia and the successful enactment of legislation in a few overseas jurisdictions. However, despite all of the recent attention that has focused on assisted death and voluntary euthanasia, a discussion of the adequacy of existing laws has not made it onto the political agenda of any of the Australian State or Territory governments. This is in spite of the fact that the private views of the majority of our elected Members of Parliament may be supportive of reform. This article explores the role of politicians' views and, as a case study, considers the opinions expressed by a number of Queensland Members of Parliament. In light of the views of these politicians and those of members of the public, as well as considerations arising from current medical practice, the article argues that there is a need for open political debate on assisted death and voluntary euthanasia. The article also suggests ways that such a debate may be achieved while minimising any political impact on governments that are prepared at least to consider this issue.     

Fixed Investment and Economic Growth in China

This paper attempts to investigate empirically the investment-growth relationship in China. Using the exogeneity framework pioneered by Engle et al. (1983) and Engle and Hendry (1993), we find that fixed investment is a key determinant of China's economic growth, which, surprisingly, has not been rigorously examined in the literature. The super exogeneity test results suggest that there exists a robust (or structurally invariant) relationship between capital formation and income growth, thereby giving credence to policy evaluation.     

Why Medical Child Support is Important—and Complex

Courts resolving child support cases involving separated, divorced, and non‐marital children are charged with defining responsibility for health care coverage for the children under that order. This article explores historical and current medical child support requirements under Title IV‐D of the Social Security Act—the national child support enforcement (“IV‐D”) program. It analyzes legal requirements and policy recommendations, and provides a practical tool judges may use to determine whether health care coverage available to either or both parents is appropriate—that is, comprehensive, accessible, and affordable.     

What could Development Studies be?

Over the past 10–15 years there has been an expansion of interest in the subject of Development Studies (DS). There are now significantly more taught courses focused on DS, and research funds are booming. However, over the same period, DS has faced sustained critiques about its essential nature. This has led us to ask: what is Development Studies? And what could or should it be?     

Connecting models of the individual and policy change processes: a research agenda

Policy Sciences - This article proposes that closer attention to models of the individual provides substantial theoretical and empirical leverage to policy studies scholars. Capturing the nuances...