There's no free lunch: the benefits and risks of technologies

Article Abstract:

The public expresses great concern over technologies involving nuclear energy and radiation. Much of this concern has developed from a lack of education in this area and negative portrayals in the media. The average person has difficulty examining these subjects objectively. There is no doubt that exposure to radiation can be dangerous, but there are still many unknowns. Exposure to low levels of radiation, whether from X-rays, occupational conditions, living near nuclear power plants, or many other sources found in day to day life, is of concern to many. Thus far, research in this area is inconclusive. In the March 20, 1991 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, Jablon et al. did not find that residents living near nuclear power plants had increased risks for cancer. Other research studies have reported a correlation between increased cancer rates and residing near nuclear facilities. Occupational exposure to low levels of radiation have been more thoroughly studied. Wing et al. report (in the same issue) that workers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory who were exposed to low levels of radiation had increased risks for cancer, especially leukemia. Other studies have not shared this conclusion, but this finding might have resulted from too short a follow-up period from the time of exposure. This research is significant and needs to be pursued. The important thing to remember is that most things in life are not free of risk, and most technologies pose some types of risk. The risks and benefits of technologies must be weighed in deciding what is acceptable, and accurate research is needed to determine what the risks really are. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Risk factors, Nuclear power plants, Cancer, Occupational mortality, editorial, Low-level radiation, Low level radiation

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Human vs animal rights: in defense of animal research

Article Abstract:

The American Medical Association (AMA) has prepared a report concerning animal research; it addresses the question of whether it is more ethical to ban all medical research on animals or to use a limited number of animals under humane conditions when no alternatives exist for advancing medical science. The paper stresses that during the 20th century, animal research has produced significant advances in controlling disease and developing surgical techniques for humans, as well as for animals. The ethics of using animals for research purposes has been the subject of philosophical debate for many centuries. Some elements of the animal rights movement have grown so militant that their more extreme actions are considered terrorist activities by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law enforcement groups. In many cases, this militant element has gained control over more moderate animal rights activists whose objective is to provide homes and shelter for stray animals. Animal rights groups argue that basic biomedical research has no clinical value, and in some cases is duplicated needlessly. The AMA report argues that many significant clinical developments have been achieved from this basic research, and that duplication is essential to confirm research results. The paper takes issue with the position of animal rights activists that too many animals are being used and that the animals suffer pain and abuse in the course of research. The AMA's report opposes new legislation that would ban animal research or impose restrictions on how research animals are housed and cared for. The first proposal would effectively end most basic biomedical research, and the second would add significantly to its cost.

Care and treatment, Political aspects, Science and technology policy, Ethical aspects, American Medical Association, Animal experimentation, Animal rights movement, Laboratory animals

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Adolescents and their music: insights into the health of adolescents

Article Abstract:

During adolescence teenagers are expected to progress toward more adult-like behavior despite the fact that these years are normally marked by rebellious and alienating expressions toward adults and authority figures. The music that adolescents choose to listen to is an important element in their lives, considering that they usually listen to over 10,000 hours of music between the seventh and twelfth grades. The sexual and violent lyrics of rock music and a considerable body of existing research on the interplay between adolescent development and music is examined. Selection of music may reflect the teenager's inner struggles and serve as a medium for socialization. Several studies indicated that students with poor academic performance were more involved in rock music than their successful peers; a researcher suggested that this immersion may reflect their alienation from school. Adolescents often incorrectly interpreted the explicit messages of current rock music; they may respond more to general themes of rebellion than to specific lyrics. Immediately after watching violent and sexual videos teenagers indicated a change in their opinions about acceptable sexual behaviors. Whether their behavior changed and whether some teens are more vulnerable than others is unknown. Physicians are advised to be familiar with the music preferences of adolescents in attending to their general mood, health and well-being.

Research, Music, Adolescent psychology, Music and youth

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