Different ways of problematising biotechnology--and what it means for technology governance.

To understand controversies over technologies better, we propose the concept of 'problematisation'. Drawing on Foucault's idea of problematisation and on the concept of frames in media research, we identify characteristic forms of problematising biotechnology in pertaining controversies, typically emphasising ethical, risk or economic aspects. They provide a common basis for disputes and allow participants to argue effectively.

Metrics, dose, and dose concept: the need for a proper dose concept in the risk assessment of nanoparticles.

In order to calculate the dose for nanoparticles (NP), (i) relevant information about the dose metrics and (ii) a proper dose concept are crucial. Since the appropriate metrics for NP toxicity are yet to be elaborated, a general dose calculation model for nanomaterials is not available. Here we propose how to develop a dose assessment model for NP in analogy to the radiation protection dose calculation, introducing the so-called "deposited and the equivalent dose".

Screening for prostate cancer with the prostate-specific antigen test: a review of current evidence.

Importance: Prostate cancer screening with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test remains controversial.

Objective: To review evidence from randomized trials and related modeling studies examining the effect of PSA screening vs no screening on prostate cancer-specific mortality and to suggest an approach balancing potential benefits and harms.

Evidence Acquisition: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials were searched from January 1, 2010, to April 3, 2013, for PSA screening trials to update a previous systematic review.

Frames and comparators: How might a debate on synthetic biology evolve?

A stimulated early public debate is frequently advocated when introducing an emerging technology like synthetic biology (SB). To debate a still quite abstract technology, participants functionally need a frame that determines which arguments are legitimate and which issues are relevant. Often, such frames are based on previous debates over other novel technologies.

Chapter 13: CISNET lung models: comparison of model assumptions and model structures.

Sophisticated modeling techniques can be powerful tools to help us understand the effects of cancer control interventions on population trends in cancer incidence and mortality. Readers of journal articles are, however, rarely supplied with modeling details. Six modeling groups collaborated as part of the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) to investigate the contribution of U.

Calling controversy: assessing synthetic biology's conflict potential.

Will synthetic biology elicit controversies similar to those of genetically modified crops before? Maybe, but where exactly are the analogies, and how can we gain substantial insights rather than mere guesses? We argue that as well as the intrinsic properties of the technologies at stake, the context of their implementation is decisive. To assess mechanisms of past and potential controversies, an investigative tool is presented. The Gate Resonance model, derived from older models of societal conflict, allows the identification of key elements of conflict generating processes.

Playing God and the intrinsic value of life: moral problems for synthetic biology?

Most of the reports on synthetic biology include not only familiar topics like biosafety and biosecurity but also a chapter on 'ethical concerns'; a variety of diffuse topics that are interrelated in some way or another. This article deals with these 'ethical concerns'. In particular it addresses issues such as the intrinsic value of life and how to deal with 'artificial life', and the fear that synthetic biologists are tampering with nature or playing God.

Risks from accidental exposures to engineered nanoparticles and neurological health effects: a critical review.

There are certain concerns regarding the safety for the environment and human health from the use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) which leads to unintended exposures, as opposed to the use of ENPs for medical purposes. This review focuses on the unintended human exposure of ENPs. In particular, possible effects in the brain are discussed and an attempt to assess risks is performed.

Evaluation of the SCA instrument for measuring patient satisfaction with cancer care administered via paper or via the Internet.

Background: Patients' perspectives provide valuable information on quality of care. This study evaluates the feasibility and validity of Internet administration of Service Satisfaction Scale for Cancer Care (SCA) to assess patient satisfaction with outcome, practitioner manner/skill, information, and waiting/access.

Patients And Methods: Primary data collected from November 2007 to April 2008.

Pictures of Synthetic Biology : A reflective discussion of the representation of Synthetic Biology (SB) in the German-language media and by SB experts.

This article is concerned with the representation of Synthetic Biology in the media and by biotechnology experts. An analysis was made of German-language media articles published between 2004 and 2008, and interviews with biotechnology-experts at the Synthetic Biology conference SB 3.0 in Zurich 2007.

Synthetic biology in society: learning from past experience?

Drawing an analogy to past debates over biotechnology, some stakeholders fear that synthetic biology (SB) could raise public concerns. Accordingly, 'lessons from the past' should be applied to avoid controversies. However, biotechnology in the 1990s is not the only possible comparator.

Risk assessment of conventional crop plants in analogy to transgenic plants.

The risk assessment of genetically-modified plants pursuant to Annex II B of EU Directive 94/15/EC assumes that it is possible to infer the environmental impacts of a crop plant from its characteristics, so most of Annex II should also be applicable to conventional plants. To test this, we surveyed reports on the ecological impacts of the cultivation of non-transgenic crop plants with novel or improved traits and, in three cases, investigated whether Annex II B would have been adequate to indicate the effects. Such an assessment appears to be feasible only if the time frame on which it is based is short, so that long-term effects cannot be assessed.

Distributional impacts of mental health care financing arrangements: a comparison of the UK, Germany and Austria.

Background: Although mental health care has undergone substantial re-structuring processes, little attention has been paid to financing issues during these processes.

Aims Of The Study: In this paper the authors seek to examine distributional effects of systems of mental health care financing in the UK, Germany and Austria against the backdrop of ongoing reforms and broader welfare state transformations.

Method: The article is based on secondary data on mental health care reform processes and financing arrangements.

Cost of an informatics-based diabetes management program.

Objectives: The relatively high cost of information technology systems may be a barrier to hospitals thinking of adopting this technology. The experiences of early adopters may facilitate decision making for hospitals less able to risk their limited resources. This study identifies the costs to design, develop, implement, and operate an innovative informatics-based registry and disease management system (POPMAN) to manage type 2 diabetes in a primary care setting.

Introducing new technology into the operating room: measuring the impact on job performance and satisfaction.

Background: The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Operating Room of the Future (ORF) project is a test site for evaluating new surgical technologies and processes. Here we evaluate the effect on staff satisfaction and burnout of introducing a set of new technologies.

Methods: Staff satisfaction and burnout were measured via sequential surveys based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory during the introduction of a new technology system.

Evaluating and planning ICUs: methods and approaches to differentiate between need and demand.

Objective: In all western countries the demand for ICU-services is increasing and complaints about a lack of ICU-beds arise--independent of the actual density of ICU-services. The demand for more ICU-beds triggered a debate on whether it is possible to define an "objective" need. It was the aim of the assessment to analyze conventional as well as innovative approaches to plan and to evaluate ICU-services.

The case of nanobiotechnology.

Towards a prospective risk assessment

The real and perceived risks of genetically modified organisms.

The debate about the potential risks of genetically modified organisms has lasted for almost three decades without any final conclusion in sight. Why is it that the public remains critical of this technology even though science has so far not demonstrated any tangible risks to human health and the environment?

Evaluations of health interventions in social insurance-based countries: Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria.

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in social insurance-based, or so-called 'Bismarck' health care systems (Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands) has taken a different course than in either taxed-based (Sweden, Norway, United Kingdom, and Spain) or private health care systems (such as the United States). The culture of informed decisions supported by transparent and evidence-based evaluations of health interventions was hindered by the strong professional autonomy and sectoral interests in Germany and Austria for a long time. On the other hand, HTA has a long-standing tradition in the Netherlands.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in orthopedics. Assessment of an emerging health technology.

Objective: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as an emerging technology in orthopedics has been assessed in Austria with the objective to establish a scientific basis for pending and pressing health policy decisions. Despite encouraging results within some indications and the promising prospect of a noninvasive treatment for some orthopedic diseases, it seemed crucial to assess this new field of application in the light of evidence-based standards, without forgetting the reality of healthcare decisions. This article presents the results of the above mentioned assessment in the context of the policy-making process in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.