Are there really alternatives to the use of fetal tissue from elective abortions in transplantation research?

Article Abstract:

The use of fetal tissue obtained from elective abortions is controversial. Transplantation of fetal tissue is being studied as a treatment of diabetes mellitus and certain degenerative diseases of the central nervous system. The government banned the use of federal funds to support research involving fetal tissue from elective abortions in 1988. Despite the recommendations of an advisory panel to lift the ban, it was extended indefinitely. The Bush administration recommended that other sources of fetal tissue be used in research. One source is tissue from ectopic pregnancies but this type of tissue is usable in only a small number of cases. Fetal tissue obtained from spontaneous abortions, or miscarriages, usually has different types of abnormalities. Extraembryonic tissue such as the placenta or the embryonic yolk sac can be obtained from a living fetus. This type of tissue can also only be used in a limited number of situations.

Ethical aspects, Abortion, Fetal tissue transplantation

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Health care reform in Minnesota

Article Abstract:

Minnesota enacted legislation for health care reform in Apr 1992. The purpose of this legislation is to provide affordable health care insurance to all of of its residents. A commission has been appointed to develop a strategy to decrease health care spending by at least 10%. The new legislation also establishes a state-subsidized, sliding scale health insurance plan. This plan, or MinnesotaCare, covers basic outpatient services and hospital care. It is available to low-income residents who are ineligible for Medicare and Medicaid. The new law also has several provisions that prohibit financial discrimination by companies who provide health care insurance. A plan has been developed to increase the availability of health care services in rural areas. The cost of Minnesota's plan for health care reform is uncertain, but it will be supported by a cigarette tax, a health service tax and a tax on insurance revenues.

Column, Social policy, Health care reform, Minnesota

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Preventive care for women: does the sex of the physician matter?

Article Abstract:

Women who have a female physician may be more likely to have a Pap smear or mammogram than those who have a male physician. A Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer, and a mammogram is a screening test for breast cancer. A study examined requests for Pap tests and mammograms by the primary care physicians of 97,962 women between 18 and 75 years old enrolled in a Midwestern health plan during 1990. Women with a female physician had a larger number of Pap smears and mammograms than those with a male physician except if their physician was approximately 50 years old. The largest difference occurred between women whose physician was less than 38 years old. Women with a male internist or family practitioner were less likely to have a Pap smear or mammogram than those with a male gynecologist or obstetrician.

Social aspects, Care and treatment, Women, Practice, Physician and patient, Physician-patient relations, Preventive medicine, Medicine, Preventive

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