Is embryo research and preimplantation genetic diagnosis ethical?

The legal position in the UK on embryo research and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is outlined and contrasted with the position in other EU countries. The "gradualist" position of the UK on the moral status of the embryo is defended on the basis of an argument that precaution must be applied in proportion to the degree to which the embryo has developed to display components of agency, on the assumption that mortality is categorically binding and requires agents to be granted rights and that it cannot be known with certainty that the embryo is not an agent. The extent to which this argument, when combined with vicarious protections that the embryo should receive in order to protect the rights of other agents, limits embryo research and PGD, is discussed. It is concluded that the complexities that attend deliberation about the moral problems attending embryo research and PGD are such that the proper response to these problems is via the procedures of political democracy to achieve accountable answers rather than "correct" answers. This allows for a variety of judgements.     

Semi-automatic analysis of fire debris

Automated analysis of fire residues involves a strategy which deals with the wide variety of received criminalistic samples. Because of unknown concentration of accelerant in a sample and the wide range of flammable products, full attention from the analyst is required. Primary detection with a photoionisator resolves the first problem, determining the right method to use: the less responsive classical head-space determination or absorption on active charcoal tube, a better fitted method more adapted to low concentrations can thus be chosen. The latter method is suitable for automatic thermal desorption (ATD400), to avoid any risk of cross contamination. A PONA column (50 mx0.2 mm i.d.) allows the separation of volatile hydrocarbons from C(1) to C(15) and the update of a database. A specific second column is used for heavy hydrocarbons. Heavy products (C(13) to C(40)) were extracted from residues using a very small amount of pentane, concentrated to 1 ml at 50 degrees C and then placed on an automatic carousel. Comparison of flammables with referenced chromatograms provided expected identification, possibly using mass spectrometry. This analytical strategy belongs to the IRCGN quality program, resulting in analysis of 1500 samples per year by two technicians.     

緬甸經济近貌

本文原題为“緬甸在束紧腰带”。但全文主要是对緬甸1957年到1958年度工农业生产、交通运輸以及对外貿易各方面情况的評述。从这些数字中可以看出緬甸1957年—1958年度发展的大致面貌,可供参考。