Two concepts of dignity for humans and non-human organisms in the context of genetic engineering

The 1992 incorporation of an article by referendum in the Swiss Constitution mandating that the federal government issue regulations on the use of genetic material that take into account the dignity of nonhuman organism raises philosophical questions about how we should understand what is meant by “the dignity of nonhuman animals,” and about what sort of moral demands arise from recognizing this dignity with respect to their genetic engineering. The first step in determining what is meant is to clarify the difference between dignity when applied to humans and when applied to nonhumans. Several conceptions of human dignity should be rejected in favor of a fourth conception: the right not to be degraded. This right implies that those who have it have the cognitive capacities that are prerequisite for self-respect. In the case of nonhuman organisms that lack this capacity, respecting their dignity requires the recognition that their inherent value, which is tied to their abilities to pursue their own good, be respected. This value is not absolute, as it is in the case of humans, so it does not prohibit breeding manipulations that make organisms more useful to humans. But it does restrict morally how sentient animals can be used. In regard to genetic engineering, this conception requires that animals be allowed the uninhibited development of species specific functions, a position shared by Holland and Attfield, as opposed to the Original Purpose conception proposed by Fox and the Integrity of the Genetic Make-up position proposed by Rolston. The inherent value conception of dignity, as here defended, is what is meant in the Swiss Constitution article. This paper is a slightly revised version of a paper that had been published in German in 1998 (“Menschenwürde vs. Würde der Kreatur,” Freiburg i.Br.).     

Genetic Engineering in Agriculture: Who Stands to Benefit?

The use of genetic engineering inagriculture has been the source of much debate. Todate, arguments have focused most strongly on thepotential human health risks, the flow of geneticmaterial to related species, and ecologicalconsequences. Little attention appears to have beengiven to a more fundamental concern, namely, who willbe the beneficiaries of this technology? Given the prevalence of chronic hunger and thestark economics of farming, it is arguable thatfarmers and the hungry should be the mainbeneficiaries of agricultural research. However, theapplication of genetic engineering appears unlikely tobenefit either of these two groups. This technology islargely controlled by the private sector, and itscontinued development hinges on its profitability.Thus, the only likely beneficiaries of the applicationof genetic engineering in agriculture are companieswith the capacity to use it.     

声发射技术在采矿工程中的应用

论述了岩体声发射技术的基本原理,介绍了其在采矿工程中的若干应用成果:地应力测量、高应力区圈定、冒顶预测预报、稳定性评价.     

迈向21世纪的锅炉、压力容器、压力管道和特种设备安全科学技术

保护环境、发展经济关系到人类的前途和命运 ,是当今国际社会十分关注的重大问题。在我国 ,人们生产、生活中的安全问题是实现保护环境与发展经济的过程中需要研究解决的热点、难点问题。锅炉、压力容器、压力管道和特种设备涉及到社会生产和人民生活的各个方面 ,其安全及可靠性问题受到国家和各级政府的高度重视 ,因此 ,在市场经济发展的新形势下 ,如何有效地治理危险或危害设施、场所 ,最大限度地扼制并减少伤亡事故 ,是锅炉、压力容器、压力管道和特种设备安全科学技术需要认真解决的重要课题。     

Fishery resource management in Chilika lagoon: a study on coastal conservation in the Eastern Coast of India

A significant proportion of the fishing population comprises small-scale fishermen and many studies illustrate that these people are exploited by middlemen in the process of fish marketing combined with money lending. The negative dependency gives rise to poverty and triggers indiscriminate fish catch that threatens fishery resources depletion. This article explores the root causes of failures in resource-led development from the viewpoint of coastal resource conservation. The study presents a case study of Chilika lagoon, India and focuses on the interaction between small-scale fishermen and middlemen. The findings reveal that most of the small-scale fishermen have been exploited by specific middlemen and the underlying causes of the present fish marketing structure stem from (i) indebtedness and (ii) the unstable situation because of perpetual conflicts over fishery resources among the fishers across Chilika lagoon. Based on these observations, this article presents some recommendations on fishery resource conservation from the perspective of a fish marketing structure.

“Protecting coastal zones in the Mediterranean: an economic and regulatory analysis”

This paper examines existing measures taken to protect the coastal zones of the Mediterranean Sea and assesses their success. A summary of the main pressures facing this region is given, followed by an analysis of the legislation covering coastal zone development in ten countries: Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Israel, Italy, Malta, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey. The paper finds that not all of these States have legislation specifically covering coastal zones, but there is concern in all areas that existing legislation is not working. The costs and benefits of controlling coastal development are examined. Firstly, a literature review of valuation studies identifies a range of values placed on the developed and undeveloped coastline for both users and local property owners. These values were then used in a model to evaluate policy options to control development of a stretch of coastline. The model indicates that a stricter control regime of coastal development may provide significant benefits.

臭氧-固定化生物活性炭滤池深度处理石化废水的试验研究

针对石化废水中不同特征污染物,采用人工分离筛选去除COD和油工程菌6株、硝化工程菌10株(亚硝化细菌5株、硝化细菌5株)构建高效混合菌群,通过臭氧固定化生物活性炭滤池除污染效能中试研究表明,该系统深度处理石化难降解有机废水是可行的,能同时实现去除COD、油类、NH3 N等污染物的功效,对COD、油类、NH3 N和色度的平均去除率分别为73 0%、90 5%、81 2%和90%,相应的出水分别为33 2mg/L、0 4mg/L、4 5mg/L和10倍,各项指标均达到了国家循环冷却水的用水要求,它的推广应用必将带来显著的环境效益、社会效益和经济效益。     

现代生活垃圾卫生填埋场的研究现状及存在的问题

现代生活垃圾卫生填埋场是处理生活垃圾的一个最有效、最安全的方法,国内外学者针对与垃圾填埋场相关的岩土工程问题已经做了大量的研究工作,但是仍然有很多问题没有引起足够的关注。在此总结国内外学者研究现状的基础上提出了需要进一步研究的一系列问题,并在初步研究的基础上提出了一些预防建议。     

环境工程在潜艇中的应用

分析了潜艇的环境特点,讨论了环境工程在潜艇中应用的发展状况,提出了系统性开展潜艇环境腐蚀控制的思路。     

高烈度地震区隧道软硬围岩交接段刚柔并济抗减震技术研究

为提高高烈度地震区隧道抗震性能,以某铁路隧道为研究背景,分析3种抗减震措施下隧道不同监测点隧道拱顶沉降、边墙收敛、衬砌结构PGA及最小安全系数,通过对比分析得到最优抗减震措施.结果表明:相比于工况1,工况2隧道拱顶沉降减小10.54％ ～81.10％,边墙收敛减小13.92％ ～78.77％,衬砌结构PGA减小31.4...