Practices and ethical concerns regarding preimplantation diagnosis. Who regulates preimplantation genetic diagnosis in Brazil?

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) was originally developed to diagnose embryo-related genetic abnormalities for couples who present a high risk of a specific inherited disorder. Because this technology involves embryo selection, the medical, bioethical, and legal implications of the technique have been debated, particularly when it is used to select features that are not related to serious diseases. Although several initiatives have attempted to achieve regulatory harmonization, the diversity of healthcare services available and the presence of cultural differences have hampered attempts to achieve this goal. Thus, in different countries, the provision of PGD and regulatory frameworks reflect the perceptions of scientific groups, legislators, and society regarding this technology. In Brazil, several texts have been analyzed by the National Congress to regulate the use of assisted reproduction technologies. Legislative debates, however, are not conclusive, and limited information has been published on how PGD is specifically regulated. The country requires the development of new regulatory standards to ensure adequate access to this technology and to guarantee its safe practice. This study examined official documents published on PGD regulation in Brazil and demonstrated how little direct oversight of PGD currently exists. It provides relevant information to encourage reflection on a particular regulation model in a Brazilian context, and should serve as part of the basis to enable further reform of the clinical practice of PGD in the country.     

Predictive value and limitations of animal models for human transplantation: do we need more models for facial transplantation?

Animal models have traditionally provided the basis for preliminary investigation of new techniques prior to trials taking place in human subjects. The timing of when to proceed with human trials is difficult, as the accuracy of preclinical models can only be determined with hindsight. This review outlines the progression from transplantation in animal models to man. Now that many transplant procedures are well established, it is possible to assess the predictive value and limitations of animal models. These results are of great importance in the current debate about composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA) and in particular facial transplantation. This progression of CTA from animal models to man is outlined and compared with early renal, cardiac, and liver transplants. There is some evidence to suggest that animal models may have been misleading in CTA and that this has effectively delayed the transition to humans. The role for animal models in facial transplantation, which is currently making the step to clinical trials, is discussed.     

Hospital Episode Statistics and trends in ophthalmic surgery 1998 – 2004

Background  

Hospital episode statistics (HES) is a UK national database for the National Health Service (NHS), now available online. The purpose of this study was to observe trends in ophthalmic operations performed during the period from 1998 to 2004, using this data.     

The immunolocalisation of the neuroendocrine specific protein PGP9.5 during neurogenesis in the rat.

We have examined the immunolocalisation of the protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 during neurogenesis in the rat embryo. PGP9.5 was first present at 11.5 days gestation (E11.5): all morphologically recognisable nerve cell bodies and fibres were immunoreactive. In routinely processed, wax-embedded tissues, using a standard immunocytochemical technique, PGP9.5 polyclonal antibody specifically demonstrated the developing nervous system and primitive adrenal chromaffin cells.