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Volume 39 Issue 11, November 2007

Cover Art: Global fertility map illustrating total children born per woman. Data from United Nations World Population Prospects, http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wpp2006; map by Erin Boyle.

Volume 39 Issue 11

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Editorial

  • Understanding human genome function and variation will require developing genetics capacity in population-rich as well as resource-rich regions of the globe. Medicine based in genetics provides a route for developing countries to improve healthcare, from primary care, via prevention of genetic diseases to opportunities for new research.

    Editorial

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Correspondence

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Book Review

    • Vilhelm A Bohr
    • Christina T Bohr
    Book Review
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Commentary

  • Medical genetics involves the application of genetic knowledge and technology to specific clinical and epidemiologic concerns. Using genetics to benefit society requires that empirically verified knowledge be used within an ethical framework that combines appeal to written precedent with sensitivity to the options of individuals and families dealing with choices and necessities within the laws, norms and traditions of their society. Islamic bioethics is derived from a combination of principles, duties and rights, and to a certain extent a call to virtue, ihsan. It emphasizes prevention, and it teaches that the patient must be treated with respect and compassion and that the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions of the illness experience must be taken into account. Strategic planning for the prevention and care of genetic disorders, and for genomic research, within the context of Islamic religion and culture is promising and may provide lessons to the developed world. Islamic bioethics provides fundamental principles for genetic counseling, particularly in regard to consanguinity, which was part of the Arabian culture long before Islam but which was discouraged by the second Islamic khalifa. These fundamental principles are important for implementing many preventive and genomic research programs and for maintaining flexibility to respond to new biomedical technologies.

    • Aida I Al Aqeel
    Commentary
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Meeting Report

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News & Views

  • A new study presents a comprehensive global analysis of the evolution of segmental duplications in the human genome. The authors identify the origin of ancestral duplication loci, regions of clustered duplicons, and evidence supporting a punctuated model of evolution.

    • Ewan Birney
    News & Views

  • Differences among dog breeds provide unique opportunities for studying the genetics of behavior, morphology and complex disease. Two new studies demonstrate how the unique evolutionary history of domestic dogs is particularly well suited to analysis by genome-wide association.

    • Gregory S Barsh
    News & Views

  • Two new studies explore the genetic mechanisms connecting aging and tumor growth in Caenorhabditis elegans. This work should provide a basis to consider ways to prevent and treat age-dependent cancers.

    • Anne Brunet
    News & Views

  • A new study in zebrafish shows that Birc2, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family, is required for endothelial cell survival. This discovery highlights an important in vivo function of this molecule and suggests potential avenues for the development of new antiangiogenic therapies.

    • Massimiliano Mazzone
    • Carmen Ruiz de Almodovar
    • Peter Carmeliet
    News & Views

  • A new study provides insight into the way plants integrate information from the environment to anticipate the onset of winter. Plants are able to combine information about light quality and ambient temperature to activate the cold- acclimation pathway.

    • Vinod Kumar
    • Philip A Wigge
    News & Views
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Brief Communication

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Article

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Letter

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Addendum

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