Biotechnology and the American agricultural industry

Article Abstract:

The past few years have seen major advances in science's ability to manipulate the production of the foods we eat. Advances in biotechnology and genetic engineering have had profound effects on how food is grown, its ability to resist disease, its nutritional content, the appearance, taste, and shelf life of foods, and the production of new types of foods. Consumers are naturally concerned about the safety of foods produced with these new technologies, and many people will turn to their personal doctors for advice. Therefore, physicians should acquire basic knowledge in this area of nutrition. Recombinant DNA technology underlies the advances in food production. It involves introducing desired pieces of DNA or genes into the naturally occurring DNA of a plant or animal in order to produce a desired result. These inserted genes can cause increased growth or increased resistance to disease or many other possible beneficial effects in the plant or animal in which it is inserted. Recombinant DNA technology has been mainly used in plants to increase production, increase resistance to disease, increase storage time, and increase degradation of herbicides. Genetically engineered produce will soon be on the market and regulations are now being prepared. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers these foods to be safe, but has not yet determined specific regulations or educational requirements. Biotechnology is also being applied to livestock. Animals are already being fed genetically engineered drugs and hormones to increase production and prevent disease. Technology will also allow for more sophisticated breeding techniques than those that have been used for centuries. This panel recommends that the American Medical Association (AMA) and physicians take an active role in educating the public. The AMA encourages other groups to do so as well and supports regulations that will ensure the safety of genetically engineered products without impeding their development. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Physiological aspects, Food, Agricultural biotechnology, Recombinant DNA, Plant genetic engineering, editorial

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Rethinking the presence of American scholars in China

Article Abstract:

The June 1989 massacre of Chinese students and citizens at Tiananmen Square in Beijing caused many individuals including scholars to re-evaluate their position with respect to the Chinese government. Although cooperation and exchange with the Chinese regime had become acceptable, it suddenly represented collaboration with a corrupt government. In 1979, relations between China and the United States (US) had improved; technical and cultural exchange protocols had been signed by the two governments. However, China was still recovering from the antiforeign sentiment of the Maoist period. The political and ideological campaigns developed during the Chinese Cultural Revolution of 1966 to 1976 considered contact with a foreign person or country counterrevolutionary or rightist. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences was not established until 1977 because the Maoist philosophy stated that a non-Marxist science was considered a threat. By 1985, many Chinese students and scholars were permitted to study abroad, which improved the exchange of ideas and development of collegial relationships. However, after the incident at Tiananmen Square, the US National Academy of Sciences suspended funds for research in China, and the US State Department issued a travel warning. It is suggested that such sanctions will isolate scholars, threaten the exchange of knowledge, and stifle the academic freedom for which the students at Tiananmen Square fought. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

China, Political aspects, Students, Foreign, Foreign students, Exchange of persons programs, Cultural exchange programs, column, Medical personnel, Foreign

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Consumer competence and the reform of American health care

Article Abstract:

Today most health care decisions are made by experts on behalf of consumers. Most of these experts are health care providers (doctors and nurses) and managers. Consumers should be given more responsibility for health care decisions. This could be done by allowing consumers to choose their health insurance benefits. Consumers should share the costs of insurance equally with their employer, which would encourage employees to make wiser decisions about health care. Insurance companies should eliminate exclusions for pre-existing diseases and allow anyone to enroll. Doctors should help their patients choose the right insurance plan and also give patients more information about their disease, including the costs of treating it. To control costs, doctors should follow a fee schedule that places caps on spending, and hospitals and other health care institutions should follow a budget. A council representing health care providers, labor and business leaders, consumers and government officials should be responsible for making national health care policy.

Innovations, Health planning, Health services administration, Consumer education

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