Blood donors to be screened

Article Abstract:

Japan's Red Cross will screen all blood donors in Japan for hepatitis non-A non-B viruses, which are a major cause of liver disease and cancer. Two to four million people in Japan are carriers of these viruses. Approximately 200,000 people, 10 to 15 percent of blood transfusion recipients, are infected with the viruses each year. Non-A non-B hepatitis viruses cause 60 percent of the cases of hepatitis and 40 percent of Japan's cases of cirrhosis, or degeneration of the liver. This is the first national screening program for this virus. The screening is done with a monoclonal antibody that is specific for one of the viruses thought to be one of the major causes of the disease. The monoclonal antibody was developed by the United States drug company Chiron. The testing kit is being developed by Ortho Diagnostic Systems, another United States company, in conjunction with Japanese research groups. The market for blood screening test kits in Japan is large, as Japan has approximately eight million donors a year. Companies are also trying to develop a vaccine against the non-A non-B viruses. Chiron has a portion of the gene coding for a structural protein of the virus. A vaccine is expected to have annual sales of $30 to $35 million in Japan alone, with potential markets throughout Asia. However, development of the vaccine is thought to be years away.

Usage, Testing, Prevention, Hepatitis, Viral, Viral hepatitis, Blood, Hepatitis viruses, Hepatitis E, Medical test kits

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Japan's HIV blood scandal broadens out

Article Abstract:

Green Cross Pres. Takehiko Kawano and two of his predecessors, Renzo Matsushita and Tadakazu Suyama, have been arrested in connection with the infection of many Japanese with HIV through the use of the company's non-heat-treated blood products in the 1980s. Prosecutors alleged that the three executives may have promoted the sale of Green Cross' HIV-infected products despite having full knowledge about the potential health risks. Observers speculate that several more arrests will be made in the near future, including a former official at the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Cases, HIV infection, HIV infections, Biological products industry, Green Cross Corp., Kawano, Takehiko, Matsushita, Renzo, Suyama, Tadakazu

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Japan floats big drilling plans

Article Abstract:

Japan's Science and Technology Agency is planning to construct the largest and most technologically advanced deep-sea drilling ship by 1998. At 15,000 tons the ship will be double the size of the Ocean Drilling Program's ship and will cost between $300 and $400 million. The Agency will use the ship to keep Japan at the forefront of international deep-sea drilling research. Japan's new drilling program will last until 2003 and will incorporate innovations such as temperature-resistant drill bits for boring through hot rocks.

Planning, Japan, Underwater drilling, Deep-sea drilling ships, Deepwater drillships, Japan. Science and Technology Agency

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