The concept of intrinsic value and transgenic animals

The creation of transgenic animals by means of modern techniques of genetic manipulation is evaluated in the light of different interpretations of the concept of intrinsic value. The zoocentric interpretation, emphasizing the suffering of individual, sentient animals, is described as an extension of the anthropocentric interpretation. In a biocentric or ecocentric approach the concept of intrinsic value first of all denotes independence of humans and a non-instrumental relation to animals. In the zoocentric approach of Bernard Rollin, genetic engineering is seen as a morally neutral tool, as long as the animal does not suffer as a result of it. Robert Colwell who defends an ecocentric ethic, makes a sharp distinction between wild animals and domesticated animals. Genetic manipulation of wild species is a serious moral issue, in contrast to genetic manipulation of domesticated species which is no problem at all for Colwell. Both authors do not take the species-specific nature (or telos) of domesticated animals seriously. When domestication is seen as a process between the two poles of the wild animal and the human construct (which can be patented), the technique of genetic manipulation can only be seen as a further encroachment upon the intrinsic value of animals. At the level of molecular biology, the concept of an animal's telos loses its meaning.     

Selective predation on mature male Byblis japonicus (amphipoda: Gammaridea) by the barface cardinalfish,Apogon semilineatus

Ontogenetic change of habitat depths of Nautilus pompilius in the Philippines (Tañon Strait) and Fiji is considered by comparing ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios in septa and cameral fluid of live-caught specimens and ambient sea-water. ¹⁸O values of cameral liquid become heavier with decreasing volume within a chamber, which may be due to isotopic fractionation during discharge across the siphuncular wall. All of the seven Philippine and Fiji specimens analyzed show a distinct change in ¹⁸O from light values in the first seven septa to heavier values in the succeeding septa. Two different isotopic temperature scales are obtained for the Fiji and Philippine populations, suggesting a differential vital effect of metabolism between them. Sightly light ¹⁸O values in Septa 1 to 7 and hatching at relatively high temperatures in aquaria both suggest that N. pompilius hatch at the shallowest depths within their inhabitable vertical range. Depths of postembryonic animals in the Philippines and Fiji waters estimated from the isotopic temperature-depth diagrams range from 120 to 160 m and from 440 to 520 m, respectively, both of which correlate well with capture records. More than several tens of small-scale ¹⁸O cycles are detected in the sequence of nacreous layers within the single septum of a submature Philippine specimen. This can be interpreted as reflecting daily vertical migration.     

Calmodulin as a modulator of NaCl transport in the posterior salt-transporting gills of the Chinese crab Eriocheir sinensis

The possible involvement of calmodulin-dependent processes in the control of Na⁺ and Cl^- transport pathways has been investigated on isolated, perfused preparations of salt-transporting posterior gills of the euryhaline Chinese crab Eriocheir sinensis (collected near Emden, Germany in autumn 1990). The anti-calmodulin phenothiazine drugs Chlorpromazine and Trifluoperazine induced depolarization of the transepithelial potential only when added to the serosal bathing saline (socalled in). This effect is best interpreted by assuming a disturbance of the conductive Cl^- pathways located at the baso-lateral side of the epithelium. In agreement with that conclusion is the fact that Trifluoperazine inhibits the Cl^- transepithelial influx. Trifluoperazine also induces inhibition of the Na⁺ influx when added either to the incubation (out) or to the perfusion (in) medium. These results indicate inhibitory effects of the anticalmodulin drug on both the Na⁺/K⁺ pump and leak system located at the serosal side and on the Na⁺/H⁺ exchange located at the apical side of the epithelium.     

The effect of nitrogen deficiency,methionine and inhibitors of methionine metabolism on the DMSP contents of Tetraselmis subcordiformis (Stein)

The unicellular alga Tetraselmis (Platymonas) subcordiformis (Prasinophyceae) displayed a two-phase increase in DMSP (dimethylsulfoniopropionate) contents in response to nitrogen deficiency. In the first phase, DMSP pools increased by 75% within 24 h. The second increase in DMSP was observed after 14 d and was accompanied by cyst formation. Methionine metabolism was involved in DMSP accumulation. A 2.6-fold increase of the DMSP pool could be induced by supplementing a complete ASP (artifical seawater Provasoli) medium with 100 M L-methionine. Inhibition of methionine utilization by T. subcordiformis caused by the addition of S-adenosylhomocystein, a competitive inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine-dependent transmethylases, resulted in a 24% increase of DMSP contents after 7 h. DMSP accumulation after hyperosmotic shock was significantly delayed when methionine liberation from proteins was inhibited by a set of protease inhibitors. A model for the mechanism of DMSP accumulation is presented on the basis of these data and additional information from the literature. It is proposed that methionine availability in T. subcordiformis determines the rate of DMSP synthesis.     

Orientation ofRhizophagus grandis (Coleoptera: Rhizophagidae) to oxygenated monoterpenes in a species-specific predator-prey relationship

Summary The predator,Rhizophagus grandis, is linked to its specific prey,Dendroctonus micans, by semiochemical signals regulating oviposition and long range orientation. A mixture of simple oxygenated monoterpenes [(–)—fenchone, (–)—pinocamphone, rac. camphor, terpinene-4-ol, borneol, fenchol and verbenone], identified from the frass ofD. micans has been found to be extremely active in a flight windtunnel as a long—range attractant for the predator. The mixture elicited 84 % of the response to larval frass of the prey. Excluding pinocamphone from the mixture did not influence its activity. Also, changing the absolute configurations of some of the components (fenchol, terpinene-4-ol and borneol) did not influence the predators' response. However, the addition of (–)—-terpineol increased the attractivity of the synthetic blend to almost that of larval frass of the prey. Ecological implications of the identified semiochemicals and their use in pest management are discussed.     

Impact of atrazine-bearing agricultural tile drainage discharge on planktonic drift of a natural stream

Preliminary results are reported from a co-operative study between Agriculture Canada and Environment Canada on environmental impacts of atrazine measured in a field stream receiving agricultural drainage. Systematically, tile drained plots of known crop rotation, area, flow and pesticides use were used in the study. A maximum tile drainage concentration of 13.9 microg liter(-1) atrazine was measured while the maximum measured stream concentration was 1.89 microg liter(-1). Phytoplankton and zooplankton samples were collected on a bi-monthly basis during the growing season. The study indicated possible negative impacts of low concentrations of atrazine on planktonic drift populations, when natural stream flow was reduced, resulting in a lower dilution capacity. A 20 m section of the stream was affected by the tile drainage waters as measured by the resident biological community. Both atrazine and ambient environmental conditions were felt to be contributing to the measured results. No negative impacts on planktonic drift populations were evident beyond 50 m downstream of the tile drainage and stream confluence.     

Hunger, poverty and food aid in Sub-Saharan Africa: Retrospect and potential

Frustrations and failures will continue to mount if we do not immediately summon the courage to revise the ways we think and take action-as well as maintaining essential services to support life and health … Saving hundreds of thousands … who are at risk of dying from malnutrition or infection is an immediate imperative. But it must be only one stage in the progress toward other activities, and one element in the truly comprehensive approach… The main intent of this paper is to explore aspects of the nature and evolution of poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa with special reference to food and hunger and their interaction with macro-economic policy. An attempt is made to outline the overall context within which food aid needs to be used in order to have a greater developmental impact. Following an Introductory Section I, Section II provides a sketch map of how recession and lagging food production - with cyclical weather crises superimposed - affect the human condition of poor people. Section III reviews die interaction between "standard" IMF stabilization and World Bank structural adjustment strategies and poverty/hunger. Improvements in the design of stabilization and adjustment programmes, and of the inter-relationship with them of emergency programmes, can be identified. A number turn on the broadened and more innovative or catalytic use of food aid. Section IV reviews aspects of facing a continuing series of emergencies and of designing life support programmes to facilitate rehabilitation of the households directly affected as well as of the national economies. From this base it explores a series of elements in achieving renewed development. The concluding Section seeks to explore the strengths, limitations and potentials of food aid in the context set by the previous sections. The standard criticisms of food aid appear to be overstated and/or to relate to particular modalities or approaches rather than to anything intrinsic. A number of criteria for improving the effectiveness of food aid - especially in respect to rehabilitation, recovery and renewed development - are set out.     

Identifying the land use and land cover change drivers: methods and case studies of two forest reserves in Northern Benin

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Land use and land cover change (LULCC) is one of the problems that the world has been facing for the last few decades despite political attention....