A Public Policy Quarterly of The Ramazzini Institute

Volume One, Number One                               October 2000

Inside

Who Are We?

Welcome to our first issue!

The Three-Legged Stool: An Editorial  Philosophy

Three hundred years ago, a teacher of physicians, Bernardino Ramazzini, published the first edition of  De morbis artificum, in Modena, Italy. He initiated a special way of practicing medicine among workers and in communities of workers. Read More

Seeds of Cancer in the Workplace

 Seeds of cancer are planted in the workplace - through changes in the cells of our bodies made by asbestos, benzene, chromates, radiation, halogenated hydrocarbon solvents, wood dust and many other agents found at work. Government agencies, industry, unions and environmental groups are working harder to bring old technologies under control, thereby reducing these risks. At the same time, with public and private funds, scientists and engineers in universities and industrial centers are creating ways to reduce exposure in the future. Read More

In A Nutshell
Professor Lewontin provides a touchstone for judging the claims of both sides of the "nature versus nurture" controversy.

Is All Disease Genetic?
Everyone wants to vector the decisions of the judge and the lawmaker. Two publications found in their mail are important for all of us to read.

We Want Your Input!

 Write Us:

 The Ramazzini Institute
 P.O. Box 1570
 Solomons, MD 20688

 E-Mail:

TheEditors@RamazziniUSA.org

Arthur C. Upton
The Need for Openness and Informed Consent
   Informed consent is the cornerstone of the western systems of medical ethics. In this review, Dr. Upton takes a hard look at a new book on the issue. MORE

EPA's New Policy: Research Subject Protection
     On October 4, in Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a policy on the use of data from the testing of human research subjects. In a process that began more than two years ago, the document defines what the agency believes is “an ethically appropriate human study.” MORE

When Is Asbestos Exposure Hazardous?
   Risk managers in government and industry ask when a toxic agent is hazardous. The answer - for one of the most hazardous agents, asbestos - is found in an unlikely place: a wage dispute between the United States government and its employees. MORE

Nancye Buelow
Genetic Discrimination:
The Alpha-1 Case
     Most experts talk - or write - about genetic discrimination as if it was a problem of the future. Nancye Buelow says the problem exists now, and what needs to be done is clear! MORE