Potential health effects of global climatic and environmental changes

Article Abstract:

Some observations of the global impact of climatic and environmental changes reported by climatologists are summarized and evaluated. The 'greenhouse effect' is discussed and the results of the anticipated global warming on human health is assessed. The subsequent production of more respiratory irritants will add to the already polluted air and lead to increases in lung diseases such as bronchitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The breakdown of the ozone layer will also result in greater ultraviolet-B radiation and raise the incidence of skin cancers and cataracts. Excessive ultraviolet-B will also compromise the immune system; combined with the rapidly increasing unsanitary conditions caused by other sources of pollution, this will lead to an increase in infectious diseases. As the ocean levels rise from glacial melting, water-borne infections will also multiply. Decreased food supplies, especially in the Third World, will escalate the existing malnutrition problem. The author believes that the impact upon agriculture and food supplies will be the most serious repercussion of global and climatic environmental changes, and he describes worst case scenarios. Suggestions for avoiding at least some of these problems are presented. Reductions in population and poverty appear to be the most urgent dilemmas that we need to address. Protection of the environment, family planning, and energy conservation are issues that need continued emphasis. All health professionals, even if not directly involved with environmental programs, have an obligation to educate the public to help prevent or ameliorate these critical environmental problems.

Evaluation, Prevention, Physiological aspects, Pollution, Human beings, Human-environment interactions, Humans, Medical climatology, Solar radiation, Environmentally induced diseases, Environmental illness

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Nuclear transplantation, embryonic stem cells, and the potential for cell therapy

Article Abstract:

Therapeutic cloning may be used in the future to produce stem cells for treating specific diseases. Cloning involves removing the nucleus from a fertilized egg and replacing it with a nucleus from a mature cell taken from a person's body. The resulting egg would develop into an embryo that could supply stem cells that match that person. These cells could then be used to treat that person's specific disease without the risk of rejection.

Innovations, Gene therapy, Cloning, Stem cells

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Therapeutic potential of RNA interference

Article Abstract:

RNA interference (RNAi) is attractive as a therapeutic approach owing in part to the diversity of its applications. The need for the therapeutic agents is sequence-specific and can maintain pace with the high mutation rate of viruses such as HIV.

Analysis, Risk factors, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Mutation (Biology), Mutation, RNA interference

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