Creating the 'ethics industry': Mary Warnock, in vitro fertilization and the history of bioethics in Britain.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Wilson D
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3342788 | biostudies-other | 2011 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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Project description:ObjectiveDetermine if group psychoeducational support can improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients' quality of life (QoL).DesignRandomized controlled trial (NCT04048772).SettingUniversity-affiliated IVF clinic.PatientsWomen (n = 76) and male partners undergoing initial autologous IVF cycle from August 2019, to December 2020.InterventionsCouples were assigned to groups based on projected oocyte retrieval date. Groups were randomly assigned to the control or intervention arm. Clinic closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed treatment for a portion of participants. Groups were conducted in person before and virtually during the pandemic.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was a change in fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) from baseline to 3 days after retrieval. Secondary outcomes were changes in depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience scale), IVF knowledge scores, and the likelihood of return to treatment.ResultsKnowledge scores among women in Creating Affiliations, Learning, and Mindfulness (CALM) for IVF groups significantly increased compared with control (mean difference 13.19 [3.53 - 22.84]) before the pandemic. During the pandemic, women in CALM IVF had significant improvement in the social FertiQoL score compared with controls (10.42 [1.79 - 19.04]). Compared with controls, male CALM IVF participants had significantly greater improvement in total FertiQoL (mean difference 6.68 [0.39 - 12.98]), treatment FertiQoL (8.26 [0.69 - 15.82]), and resilience (Connor-Davidson 1.13 [0.54 - 1.72]). Immediate return to care did not significantly differ between arms.ConclusionsFor women undergoing IVF, group psychoeducational programs can improve IVF knowledge and social QoL during a pandemic. Participation in a group psychoeducational program can improve QoL and resilience in IVF dyad male partners.Clinical trial registration numberTrial registration NCT04048772.
| S-EPMC10028477 | biostudies-literature
Project description:: The importance of occupational ethics risk considerations during technology transaction in the construction industry is acknowledged. This is particularly in that the industry plays a significant part in a nation's development. The technology transaction has seen an increase in activity due to massive infrastructure development programmers adopted by governments and increase in external investment. The technology transaction, like any other, is not immune to unethical occupational behavior. This study aims to investigate the source of occupational ethics risk during technology transaction in the Chinese construction industry. A review of literature demonstrated that a number of contextual factors can influence unethical occupational risk practices. In total, 130 engineering practitioners took part in a questionnaire survey to explore the source of occupational ethics risk during the technology transaction in the Chinese construction industry. Firstly, there were 25 factors identified through literature review overall, which were sorted and analyzed. Among the twenty-five factors, three were identified as the most significant factors: Unreasonable incentives for technology trading; poor regulation; and asymmetry of information. Then, through exploratory factor analysis (EPA) method, the twenty-five factors were divided into seven groups: legal environment, industry environment, incompleteness of information, asymmetry of information, difficulty of observation of information, differences between the two sides of cooperation, and incorrect conceptual awareness. This study provided an added dimension to the understanding of occupational ethics risk issues during the technology transaction in the Chinese construction industry. This paper therefore contributes to the list of countries where similar studies have been undertaken.
| S-EPMC7068282 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe global tobacco epidemic claims 5 million lives each year, facilitated by the ability of transnational tobacco companies to delay or thwart meaningful tobacco control worldwide. A series of cross-company tobacco industry "issues management organizations" has played an important role in coordinating and implementing common strategies to defeat tobacco control efforts at international, national, and regional levels. This study examines the development and enumerates the activities of these organizations and explores the implications of continuing industry cooperation for global public health.MethodsUsing a snowball sampling strategy, we collected documentary data from tobacco industry documents archives and assembled them into a chronologically organized case study.ResultsThe International Committee on Smoking Issues (ICOSI) was formed in 1977 by seven tobacco company chief executives to create common anti-tobacco control strategies and build a global network of regional and national manufacturing associations. The organization's name subsequently changed to INFOTAB. The multinational companies built the organization rapidly: by 1984, it had 69 members operating in 57 countries. INFOTAB material, including position papers and "action kits" helped members challenge local tobacco control measures and maintain tobacco-friendly environments. In 1992 INFOTAB was replaced by two smaller organizations. The Tobacco Documentation Centre, which continues to operate, distributes smoking-related information and industry argumentation to members, some produced by cross-company committees. Agro-Tobacco Services, and now Hallmark Marketing Services, assists the INFOTAB-backed and industry supported International Tobacco Growers Association in advancing claims regarding the economic importance of tobacco in developing nations.ConclusionThe massive scale and scope of this industry effort illustrate how corporate interests, when threatened by the globalization of public health, sidestep competitive concerns to coordinate their activities. The global network of national and regional manufacturing associations created and nurtured by INFOTAB remains active, particularly in relation to the recently negotiated global health treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Policymakers should be aware that although these associations claim to represent only national or regional interests, they are allied to and coordinated with a confederation of transnational tobacco companies seeking to protect profits by undermining public health.
| S-EPMC2265275 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo report a unique case of total fertilization failure (TFF) after in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection related to homozygous WEE2 gene mutation and summarize the current literature and management of TFF.DesignCase report.SettingAcademic fertility center.PatientsA 25-year-old woman and her 35-year-old partner with a history of near-complete fertilization failure after 2 cycles of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.InterventionsConsultation with medical and commercial genetic testing for WEE2, PLCZ1, and TLE6.Main outcome measuresOocyte fertilization.ResultsThe patient was homozygous for WEE2 pathogenic variant impacting oocyte activation and resulting in infertility.ConclusionsIn the setting of TFF, early consideration should be given to genetic testing to assist couples in clinical decision-making and help limit the financial and emotional burden associated with unsuccessful fertility intervention.
| S-EPMC9783144 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Vitamin D plays critical role in the female reproductive system. It seems that vitamin D is associated with clinical pregnancy outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), but its role remains elusive. This study is aimed to establish whether vitamin D is associated with clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS:The cross-sectional study was carried out from January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2017. A total of 848 patients who had indications for IVF were enrolled. The patients were classified by serum 25 (OH) D quartiles. The outcome parameters of IVF were compared in each group, including normal fertilization rate, high quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and live birth rate. RESULTS:The median 25 (OH) D concentration was 15.25 ng/ml. Serum 25 (OH) D levels in women varied with the seasons. We found that serum 25 (OH) D levels were higher in autumn than other seasons, and the lowest level occurred in spring. Follicular fluid (FF) vitamin D levels were positively correlated with serum vitamin D levels (r = 0.85, P < 0.001). The levels of FF vitamin D were significantly higher than the levels of serum vitamin D (P < 0.001). Normal fertilization rates were significantly different among four groups (P = 0.007). The group of women with the highest serum 25 (OH) D levels had the highest normal fertilization rate. However, the clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and live birth rates were not significantly different among the four groups when the age, BMI, AMH, seasons of blood drawing, COH protocol, high quality embryo rate and number of embryos transferred were adjusted. In addition, we found that serum 25 (OH) D levels were significantly higher in patients received IVF than patients received R-ICSI (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS:Among Chinese women, lower serum vitamin D levels are associated with a lower fertilization rate in IVF. However, vitamin D level was not associated with the clinical pregnancy and live birth rate following IVF.
| S-EPMC6639905 | biostudies-other
Project description:Feed-associated Salmonella serovars continue to be reported in poultry flocks. A study was conducted to investigate Salmonella contamination in major commercial feed mills that produce rations for broiler chickens within Great Britain. Dust and large moist gauze swab samples (12,791) were collected from 22 feed mills on 31 visits. Salmonella was isolated from 20 mills, with 15 mills (75%) having fewer than 5% Salmonella-positive samples. Fifty-one Salmonella serovars were isolated, with a large proportion of isolates being Salmonella (S.) Kedougou (29.4%) or S. 13,23:i:- (21.4%). European Union-regulated Salmonella serovars (Enteritidis, Infantis, Typhimurium and its monophasic variants) were isolated from 12 mills, mostly from non-processing areas, accounting for 40 isolates (4.4% of all Salmonella-positive samples). Fifteen Salmonella serovars were only isolated once. In terms of individual sampling locations within the mill, the waste handling locations were significantly more likely to be Salmonella-positive than some other mill locations. When sampling locations were grouped, samples collected from finished product areas were significantly less likely to be Salmonella-positive for Salmonella than some other mill areas. In conclusion, this study found that most mills producing broiler rations showed low-level Salmonella contamination.
| S-EPMC9323917 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PurposeThe etiology of fertilization failure and polyspermy during assisted reproductive technology (ART) remains elusive. The aim of this study was to determine whether mutations in the IZUMO1 receptor (IZUMO1R) gene, which is essential for mammalian fertilization, contribute to the pathogenesis of fertilization failure or polyspermy in humans.MethodsWe recruited 215 female subjects with fertilization failure/poor fertilization, 330 females with polyspermy, and 300 matched controls. All subjects underwent IVF treatment. Peripheral blood DNA of cases was extracted and screened for mutations in IZUMO1R gene.ResultsFour rare single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IZUMO1R were identified among specimens from patients with fertilization failure and polyspermy but were absent in the 300 control subjects. These included a missense SNP (rs76779571 in exon 4), which was found in two fertilization failure patients, and a nonsynonymous SNP (rs61742524 in exon 1) and two synonymous SNPs (rs76781645 in exon 1 and rs377369966 in intron 2), which were found among three polyspermy cases.ConclusionsThe variations in IZUMO1R might play a role in the pathogenesis of fertilization failure and polyspermy, and the putative functions and effects of these rare variants require further studies.
| S-EPMC5904069 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The colonization of Ireland by mammals has been the subject of extensive study using genetic methods and forms a central problem in understanding the phylogeography of European mammals after the Last Glacial Maximum. Ireland exhibits a depauperate mammal fauna relative to Great Britain and continental Europe, and a range of natural and anthropogenic processes have given rise to its modern fauna. Previous Europe-wide surveys of the European badger (Meles meles) have found conflicting microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA evidence in Irish populations, suggesting Irish badgers have arisen from admixture between human imported British and Scandinavian animals. The extent and history of contact between British and Irish badger populations remains unclear. We use comprehensive genetic data from Great Britain and Ireland to demonstrate that badgers in Ireland's northeastern and southeastern counties are genetically similar to contemporary British populations. Simulation analyses suggest this admixed population arose in Ireland 600-700 (CI 100-2600) years before present most likely through introduction of British badgers by people. These findings add to our knowledge of the complex colonization history of Ireland by mammals and the central role of humans in facilitating it.
| S-EPMC7211870 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To determine the cost-effectiveness of split IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for the treatment of couples with unexplained infertility.Adaptive decision model.Academic infertility clinic.A total of 154 couples undergoing a split IVF-ICSI cycle and a computer-simulated cohort of women <35 years old with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF.Modeling insemination method in the first IVF cycle as all IVF, split IVF-ICSI, or all ICSI, and adapting treatment based on fertilization outcomes.Live birth rate, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).In a single cycle, all IVF is preferred as the ICER of split IVF-ICSI or all ICSI ($58,766) does not justify the increased live birth rate (3%). If two cycles are needed, split IVF/ICSI is preferred as the increased cumulative live birth rate (3.3%) is gained at an ICER of $29,666.In a single cycle, all IVF was preferred as the increased live birth rate with split IVF-ICSI and all ICSI was not justified by the increased cost per live birth. If two IVF cycles are needed, however, split IVF/ICSI becomes the preferred approach, as a result of the higher cumulative live birth rate compared with all IVF and the lesser cost per live birth compared with all ICSI.
| S-EPMC4503359 | biostudies-literature
Project description:OBJECTIVE:To evaluate whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) has an effect on the cardiovascular health of offspring. STUDY DESIGN:This was a cross-sectional pilot study. We performed vascular health assessment for 17 children aged 10-14 years who were conceived via IVF with autologous oocytes at Stanford University. Carotid artery ultrasound evaluated intima-media thickness and stiffness, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity determined segmental arterial stiffness, and endothelial pulse amplitude testing assessed endothelial function. We compared IVF offspring with control adolescents assessed in the same laboratory, with all comparisons adjusted for age, sex, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS:All participants had normal body mass index and blood pressure. Compared with controls, IVF children had thicker common carotid artery intima-media thickness (0.44 ± 0.03 mm vs 0.38 ± 0.03 mm; P < .01), higher elastic modulus (395.29 ± 185.33 mm Hg vs 242.79 ± 37.69 mm Hg; P = .01), higher ?stiffness (2.65 ± 0.38 vs 2.28 ± 0.23; P < .01), and higher peak velocity (142.29 ± 31.62 cm/s vs 117.71 ± 32.69 cm/s; P = .04). The mean endothelial pulse amplitude testing reactive hyperemia index was not significantly different between IVF and controls. The mean pulse wave velocity was 4.69 ± 0.51 m/s compared with the controls 4.60 ± 0.57 m/s (P = .11), with 8 (47%) having abnormal values. CONCLUSION:In an assessment of endothelial function and arterial properties of children conceived via IVF, we found that children conceived via IVF seem to have evidence of abnormal vascular health. Further studies with larger sample size and long-term follow-up are warranted.
| S-EPMC6815705 | biostudies-literature