Archive for the ‘Linkposts’ Category
Science Policy Around the Web – May 17, 2013
By: Jennifer Plank
Our weekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.
Will insurance cover genetic testing, preventative surgery? - This week, Angelina Jolie was in the news following her op-ed piece discussing her preventative double mastectomy once she learned that she had a mutated BRCA1 gene. Women with a mutation in either of the BRCA genes are at an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Due to their patent, Myriad Genetics is the only company allowed to perform genetic testing on either of the BRCA genes resulting in the test being very expensive- on average, BRCA genetic screening costs approximately $4000 when not covered by insurance. Doctors recommend that a patient with a positive result receive yearly mammograms and/or MRIs, adding thousands of dollars to the cost of preventative care. Once the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented, BRCA genetic testing will be classified as preventative care and require no out of pocket costs for the patient. (Melanie Hicken)
Scientists report first success in cloning human stem cells – 17 years after the cloning of Dolly the sheep, scientists generated stem cells from human skin cells. Until recently, human cells have been unable to be reprogrammed using “nuclear transfer”, a technique that has been effective in many other species. Dr. Shoukhrat Mitalipov, a scientist at Oregon Health and Science University, has used the technique to reprogram human skin cells into cells resembling embryonic stem cells. This new advance in technology provides another source for deriving embryonic stem cells to be used for stem cell based therapies. (Alice Park)
Supreme Court supports Monsanto in seed-patent case - In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court opined that farmers cannot use Monsanto’s genetically altered soybeans to make new seeds without paying the company. According to the opinion written by Justice Elena Kagan, the ruling was narrow in scope and will not automatically be extended to every self-replicating product. Normally, farmers who buy soybeans from Monsanto must sign a contract stating that they will not harvest seeds from one season’s crop to use in following seasons. This ensures that the farmers will buy new seeds yearly. However, in this case, the farmer obtained seeds through a second-hand source and determined which seeds were Monsanto’s genetically modified seeds. He then harvested seeds from those plants to use in subsequent seasons. The Supreme Court ruled that the farmer must pay Monsanto over $84,000. (Adam Litpak)
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Science Policy Around the Web – May 12, 2013
By: Katherine Donigan
Our weekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.
FDA Proposes Tougher Warnings for Tanning Beds – Despite recommendations from the FDA’s own advisory panel and the American Medical Association that favor an outright ban on tanning beds for children, the agency is proposing only to increase the risk level associated with indoor tanning. This move would result in requiring tanning beds to display a warning label advising against use by anyone under 18. The decision to upgrade tanning beds from low to moderate risk devices is a step in the right direction, as skin cancer has been found to be significantly increased in people who are exposed to UV radiation from tanning beds before age 35. The FDA has indicated that warning labels may be a precursor to an outright ban in the future, but the reasoning behind the agency’s reluctance to presently support such a ban remains unclear. (Steve Reinberg, US News)
Cancer Vaccines Get a Price Cut in Poor Nations – The two major manufacturers of the HPV vaccine have announced that they will be making it available to girls and women in poor countries for under $5 per dose. This price reduction is significant, as in the US, the vaccine usually runs around $130 per dose. Advocates of a low-cost HPV vaccine hope that by 2020, 30 million girls living in 40 different countries would be vaccinated. The HPV vaccine protects against multiple strains of human papilloma virus that cause genital warts and up to 70% of cervical cancers. Dramatically reducing the cost barrier for women and girls in poor countries at higher risk of dying from cervical cancer has the potential to save millions of lives, representing a major advance for women’s health. (Sabrina Tavernise, NYTimes)
New Genomic Prostate Cancer Test Holds More Answers – The limitations of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test have become increasingly apparent over the years, as new studies have shown PSA levels alone are a relatively poor marker for prostate cancer. Data indicate that PSA testing can lead to overdiagnosis, and in October 2011, the United States Preventive Services Task Force issued a recommendation against PSA testing in healthy men at any age. A new test from Genomic Health, Oncotype DX, screens 17 different genes from a biopsy and assigns a numerical score correlating to tumor aggressiveness. The test appears to be more sensitive at detecting the differences between low and high-risk samples, potentially sparing thousands of men each year from unnecessary medical treatment. (Andrew Pollack, NYTimes)
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Science Policy Around the Web – May 2, 2013
By: Jennifer Plank
Our weekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.
NIH discontinues Immunizations in HIV vaccine study – Immunizations in an NIH sponsored HIV vaccine trial (HVTN 505) were halted last week. The study was in Phase IIb and aimed to determine if the vaccine could prevent infection or reduce viral load in patients who become infected with HIV. The trial consisted of a DNA-based vaccine to “prime” the immune system followed by a recombinant vaccine with the adenovirus type 5 vector housing genetic material encoding HIV antigens. Approximately 2500 people enrolled in the study. This phase of the study was limited to men who have sex with men and transgender individuals who have sex with me. Of the participants, 1250 received the vaccine and 1244 received the placebo. Overall, 71 cases of HIV were reported (30 placebo recipients and 41 vaccine recipients). Additionally, there were 30 participants with a measurable viral load (15 placebo/15 vaccine). Based on these findings, the NIH decided to halt vaccination at each of the trial sites. (NIH News)
Oregon’s math problem: How to measure health? - In an effort to improve health care and reduce unnecessary expenses, the Obama administration granted the state of Oregon almost $2 billion to coordinate better health care practices. The state has decided on 33 different measurements in evaluating health care providers. For example, health care providers are encouraged to ask patients if they use drugs or alcohol. If the patients answers affirmatively, the clinician is supposed to ask follow up questions and refer the patient to facilities to help them if necessary. The goal of the program is to have doctors refer patients for additional services only when necessary. The state has 5 years to fully implement the evaluations and prove that medical costs have not increased. (Kristian Voden-Vencil)
U.S. lawmakers propose new criteria for choosing NSF grants – A new bill drafted by Lamar Smith (R-TX) would replace NSF peer review with funding criteria chosen by Congress. Additionally, the bill includes language that suggests that every other scientific agency could be evaluated by the same process. All awarded NSF grants would have to meet the following criteria:
1) “… in the interests of the United States to advance the national health, prosperity, or welfare, and to secure the national defense by promoting the progress of science;
2) “… the finest quality, is groundbreaking, and answers questions or solves problems that are of utmost importance to society at large; and
3) “… not duplicative of other research projects being funded by the Foundation or other Federal science agencies.”
The top Democrat on the House of Representatives science committee, Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX), strongly opposes the legislation stating that no chair of the science committee has ever deemed themselves an expert in the science underlying the grant proposals. (Jeffrey Mervis)
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Science Policy Around the Web – April 28, 2013
photo credit: Ethan T. Allen via photopin cc
By: Katherine Donigan
Our weekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.
Senators, Representatives Express Opposition to Disproportionate Cuts to NASA Science Budget – Federal budget cuts resulting from sequestration continue to affect many areas of research. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, along with Representatives Adam Schiff and John Culberson have signed a letter to NASA administrator Charles Bolden to express opposition to budget reductions to the Planetary Science program. This program focuses on solar system exploration through data collection; from flyby images of distant planets to roving missions on planet surfaces. Proposed budget cuts would likely eliminate a planned mission to Jupiter’s moon, Europa, that is known to have an ice-covered ocean that may harbor living organisms. Current missions, such as the Cassini spacecraft that orbits Saturn, may be cut short. As the effects of sequestration and budget cuts on scientific research start to become more defined, we can expect to see more opposition arise to specific cuts, but how best to navigate science budgets in these fiscal times is far from clear. (Richard M. Jones)
Drug Policy Reform In Action: A 21st Century Approach – The White House has released a plan for drug policy reform that is based on scientific study regarding the nature of addiction. Despite all the effort put into fighting the “war on drugs,” drug-induced overdose deaths are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. Past policies were focused on enforcing criminal penalties and incarceration. This new approach accounts for the mountains of scientific data indicating that addiction has a physiological basis, and should be treated as a public health issue with a focus on prevention, treatment and recovery. These studies show us why the drug war has been such a difficult one to fight, and points toward a new direction for policy reform.(R. Gil Kerlikowske)
Despite safety and effectiveness, parent HPV vaccine concerns persist – A recent study published in Pediatrics has found that the numbers of parents who are not getting their daughters vaccinated against HPV is on the rise. The vaccine protects against strains of HPV that cause cancer and strains that cause genital warts, and has not been shown to have any side effects beyond the typical ones seen for vaccines. Despite the data supporting the safety of this vaccine, more parents are citing safety concerns as reason to not get their daughters vaccinated. The primary reason cited for not vaccinating, however, was that parents didn’t see the need to vaccinate a young child against a sexually transmitted virus. Maximum effectiveness is seen when girls are vaccinated early, before they have had a chance to be exposed to HPV. In fact, recent data on genital wart prevention indicate that the vaccine is 93% effective in girls vaccinated before age 14. These recent studies highlight the need for increased public awareness about HPV vaccine effectiveness, especially when given at a young age. (Tara Haelle)
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Science Policy Around the Web – April 21, 2013
By: Jennifer Plank
photo credit: limowreck666 via photopin cc
Our weekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.
FDA’s rejection of generic OxyContin may have side effects – With the patent on the original OxyContin ending, the FDA has declared that they will not approve generic versions of the drug. In order for drug developers to compete in the prescription pain relief market, they will have to develop abuse resistant forms of the drug. In 2010, Purdue Pharma LP, the developer of the original OxyContin, produced a form of the drug that includes a polymer that makes it impossible to snort and inject the drug. The patent on the drug resistant form expires in 2025. (Nancy Shute and Audrey Carlsen)
Stereotype threat for girls and STEM – According to Facebook executive and author Sheryl Sandberg, women are being held back by what social scientists call a “stereotype threat”- an idea that suggests that the more we are aware of the stereotype, the more likely we are to act in accordance with it. Sandberg suggests that the stereotype threat is what is responsible for preventing women to pursue leadership roles and careers in highly technical field, such as computer science. A recent study looking at author gender and gender typing of projects suggests that publications from male authors were more highly regarded scientifically. The author also presents many links aiming to encourage interest in STEM. (Chris Gunter)
Gene patents are sabotaging the future of medicine – A case currently being debated by the Supreme Court, Association of Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, has the potential to influence how clinicians can report the results of genome wide sequencing to their patients. Currently, Myriad holds the patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are associated with the onset of breast and ovarian cancers. Therefore, Myriad has a monopoly on all diagnostics and therapeutics related to the BRCA genes. The Association for Molecular Pathology states that a person has a right to know their own genetic code and should not have to have permission from patent holders to know the sequence of their own genes. The Supreme Court will rule on the case in late June. (Daniela Hernandez)
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Science Policy Around the Web – April 4, 2013
By: Jennifer Plank
photo credit: nasa hq photo via photopin cc
Our biweekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.
NASA Curiosity Rover Gives Us a Reason to Send Humans to Mars – Last month, scientists at NASA reported that the surface of Mars contained water that could have supported human life. Additionally, the rock on the surface of Mars contain elements that support human life (sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, and carbon). However, despite conditions that could support life, no signs of life have been identified by the Rover. There are currently a couple private companies planning Mars expeditions, but due to funding cuts, NASA will not be sponsoring any. (Adam Hogue)
Stem Cell Ruling Riles Researchers – The Italian health minister, Renato Balduzzi, recently declared that a controversial stem cell treatment can continue in 32 terminally ill patients despite the fact that the stem cells being used are not manufactured according to Italy’s safety requirements. The therapy was developed by the Stamina Foundation and has been repeatedly banned over the past 6 years. However, despite the bans, patient interest groups advocated for the treatment in terminally ill patients, and the treatment is currently approved for patients without other treatment options. Stem cell researchers are appalled because the treatment is dangerous due to lack of rigorous testing. (Alison Abbott)
Congress Limits NSF Funding for Political Science – On March 26, Congress passed a law stating that the NSF can no longer fund political science research except for projects promoting national security. The NSF funds approximately 95 percent of political science research. Some scientists fear that this new law opens the door for congressmen, rather than scientists, to determine which research projects merit funding. The amendment only applies for the 2013 fiscal year and will need to be renewed yearly. (Jeffrey Mervis)
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Science Policy Around the Web – March 22, 2013
By: Jennifer Plank
Our biweekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.
Mice Fall Short As Test Subjects for Humans’ Deadly Ills – Data obtained from mouse models of sepsis, burns, and trauma have been misleading. Nearly 150 drugs developed to treat sepsis in humans have failed. A manuscript published in PNAS last month demonstrated why- mice have a condition that looks similar to human sepsis but is very different biologically. The decade long study analyzed genes used by white blood cells when responding to sepsis. The investigators found a panel of genes that were upregulated in response to sepsis in humans and then analyzed the response in mice to see if a similar panel of genes were involved. Surprisingly, there were no similarities between organisms. Additionally, in samples from human patients, a similar panel of genes were involved in the response to burns, sepsis, and trauma suggesting that finding a drug to treat one condition will treat all 3. While in many situations, mice are an ideal genetic model to human disease, this work suggests that mouse models cannot be used to develop drugs for all human conditions. (Gina Kolata)
How To Find a Food Desert Near You – A food desert is an area where it is difficult to access large grocery stores that offer fresh and affordable food. To identify regions where access to healthy foods is limited, the USDA has recently released the Food Access Research Atlas. Using the atlas, you can identify regions where there is low access to grocery stores. Additionally, income data has been incorporated into the map to compare low access to low income regions. (Nancy Shute)
Inequality Quantified: Mind the Gender Gap - While the number of women working in science and engineering fields has increased, universities still employ more men than women in STEM fields, and men still earn significantly more in these fields. Currently, only 21 percent of science professors and 5 percent of engineering professors are women. One potential cause of this problem is that a larger percentage of women quit scientific careers in the earlier stages to raise a family. Additionally, women only make 82 percent of what male scientists earn in the United States, and this gap is larger in European countries. Many universities are conscious of the need to correct the gender gap. (Helen Shen)
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Science Policy Around the Web – March 8, 2013
By: Jennifer Plank
photo credit: andre.vanrooyen via photopin cc
Our biweekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.
Elephant Poaching Pushes Species To Brink Of Extinction - A recent publication in PLOS ONE states that the total number of elephants has decreased 62 percent from 2002-2011. A ban on ivory poaching in 1989 initially reduced the amount of the trade; however, over the past decade as many as 25,000 elephants have been killed yearly. The largest contributor to this crisis is increased trade within China. (Christopher Joyce)
Legislator Grills NIH Over Tobacco Grant – NIH director, Francis Collins, recently attended a hearing regarding how different Health and Human Services agencies are dealing with reduced budgets. While at the meeting, Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) questioned Collins about a grant to investigate tobacco control funded by the NCI. The PI on the grant, Stanton Glantz, was investigating the influence of “third parties” funded by the tobacco industry. The study, published in Tobacco Control, uncovered a link between the tobacco industry and formation of the Tea Party. Harris, a member of the Tea Party, opposes this finding and would prefer that money from tax payers does not cover such research. Collins was also alarmed by the finding and hopes to strike a balance between not funding an “unfortunate outcome” and not micromanaging all NIH-funded research. (Jocelyn Kaiser)
We Have A Limited Window of Opportunity: CDC Warns of Resistance Nightmare - On Tuesday, Dr. Thomas Frieden of the CDC released new statistics regarding infections by the highly drug resistant bacteria carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (or CRE). To date, 42 states have reported at least one incidence of CRE infection, the occurrence of CRE has increased 4-fold over 10 years, and 4.6 percent of hospitals and 17.8 percent of long term care facilities have diagnosed CRE in the first 6 months of 2012. Together, these factors suggest that the situation is dire. Increasing the severity of these findings are the facts that CRE is resistant to nearly all antibiotics and results in fatality in nearly half of patients who contract the infection. The CDC has published a list of recommendations to limit the number of CRE infections; however, none of the recommendations are required or funded. (Maryn McKenna)
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Science Policy Around the Web – February 21, 2013
photo credit: El Bibliomata via photopin cc
By: Jennifer Plank
Our biweekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.
Obama Seeking to Boost Study of Human Brain – The Obama administration is planning a project to map the activity of the human brain. To the neuroscience community, this project will be what the human genome project was to the genetics field. The project will be a collaborative effort between federal agencies, private foundations, neuroscientists, and nanoscientists. The project has the potential to uncover mechanisms of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, if the new project follows in the path of the human genome project, it is poised to stimulate the economy. (John Markoff)
Did Sperm and Egg Donors Unwittingly Contribute to NIH-Approved Stem Cells? - In 2009, the National Institutes of Health developed guidelines that all human ESCs generated using NIH funding must meet. One such requirement is that cells lines generated must be obtained from surplus embryos following fertility treatments. Additionally, the couples receiving fertility treatment must be informed of the use of embryos. However, the new directive did not include obtaining permission from sperm and egg donors. For 49 of the 198 lines, the permission from the gamete donors is questionable- either the donors did not respond for consent or the status of who the egg or sperm donor was unclear. (Jocelyn Kaiser)
Should We Prohibit Genetically Engineered Babies? – Recently a group of experts faced off to debate the proposition “Prohibit Genetically Engineered Babies”. The audience was polled before and after the debate. Prior to the debate 24 percent supported prohibiting genetically engineered children, 30 percent were against and 46 percent were undecided. Following the debate, 49 percent of the audience was against prohibiting genetically engineered babies. The article link includes audio and a transcript of the debate. (NPR Staff)
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Science Policy Around the Web – February 7, 2013
By: Jennifer Plank
Our biweekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.
Federal officials allege Santa Cruz company misled animal welfare inspectors – Two animal rights organizations allege that Santa Cruz Biotechnology has repeatedly violated the animal welfare act and misled federal inspectors. These violations include not reporting the existence of 841 goats. In September, the USDA filed a complaint indicating several violations in regards to animal welfare and employing unqualified personnel. In addition, during a recent inspection, several goats were suffering from undiagnosed infections. (Jessica M. Pasko)
Girls lead in science exam, but not in the United States – A 2009 exam given to 470,000 students (15 years old) in 65 developed countries indicates that, on the global scale, girls perform better than boys in science. Interestingly, in the United States boys out perform girls with average exam scores of 509 to 495. According to Christianne Corbett, research associate at the American Association of American Women, one possible explanation for this outcome is that gender stereotypes regarding occupations begins early in life and less women are likely to go into science careers. (Hannah Fairfield and Alan McLean)
New analysis challenges study suggesting racial bias at NIH – A 2011 study indicated that black researchers face a racial bias when it comes to receiving NIH funding. In response to this report, the NIH announced a program to boost the number of young minority scientists. However, a recent study has analyzed the productivity and funding of minority and white researchers researchers at the same institutions. The study found that on average, the black researchers were less productive than their white colleagues. Additionally, when adjusted for a productivity index, black researchers received just as much funding as their white colleagues. (Jocelyn Kaiser)
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