Presymptomatic Diagnosis and Gene Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease: Genomic, Therapeutic, and Ethical Aspects—A Systematic Review

Over the past three decades, genomic and epigenetic sciences have identified more than 70 genes involved in the molecular pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). DNA methylation, abnormal histone and chromatin regulation and the action of various miRNAs induce AD. The identification of mutated genes has paved the way for the development of diagnostic kits and the initiation of gene therapy trials. However, despite major advances in neuroscience research, there is yet no suitable treatment for AD. Therefore, the early diagnosis of this neurodegenerative disease raises several ethical questions, including the balance between the principle of non-maleficence and the principle of beneficence. The aims of this research were to present the genomic and ethical aspects of AD, and to highlight the ethical principles involved in its presymptomatic diagnosis and therapy. A systematic review of the literature in PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct was carried out to outline the genomic aspects and ethical principles relating not only to the presymptomatic diagnosis of AD, but also to its gene therapy. A total of 16 publications were selected. AD is a multifactorial disease that can be genetically classified into Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease and Familial Alzheimer’s Disease based on family history. Gene therapy targeting specific disease-causing genes is a promising therapeutic strategy. Advancements in artificial intelligence applications may enable the prediction of AD onset several years in advance. While early diagnosis of AD may empower patients with full decision competence for early decision-making, it also carries implications for the patient’s family members, who are at risk of developing the disease, potentially becoming a source of confusion or anxiety. AD has a significant impact on the life of individuals at risk and their families. Given the absence of disease modifying therapy, genetic screening and early diagnosis for this condition raise ethical issues that must be carefully considered in the context of fundamental bioethical principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.

Tragic Beauty of Faulkner’s Villain Characters

This paper applies the theory of“Sphinx Factor”to examine the characters such as Sutpen,Emily and Jason in Faulkner’s fiction who are filled with brutal elements.It is found that although these characters are generally considered evil,cruel and violent,they also possess tragic beauty.

The Construction of a New Translation Ethics from the Perspective of Chinese Philosophy

As a cross-linguistic,cross-cultural,and cross-social activity,translation is affected by cultural moralities.Since the ethical standard of faithfulness has been abandoned by theories of cultural criticism and the power of translators’manipulation has been constantly exaggerated,the study of translation ethics is an effective remedy for a current dilemma in translation studies.It is a common phenomenon for some translators to erase the linguistic and cultural differences of Chinese literature by catering to target readers’reception.Social ethics is the foundation of a nation’s translation ethics,which means that thoughts from the Western world may not be suitable for the current situation in China.Learning from concepts of Chinese philosophy including harmony in diversity,seeking common ground while reserving differences,and honesty to formulate a new translation ethics will surely restrain translators’subjectivity within appropriate limits and develop world culture in more harmonious fashion.

Ethics and Integrity in Building Employee＇s Perceptions

Malaysia has long been involved in the initiative of becoming a high income country by the year 2020. In this essence, fighting and eliminating any means of corruption in the public and private companies have been one of the key challenges in the long run. The globalization of businesses has somehow led to an increase in the number of unethical conduct and hazardous corruption. In the urge to enliven ethics and integrity in a company and among employees, the whole business processes and stakeholders should position code of ethics and integrity at its highest standard. However, can ethics and integrity really increase the company＇s reputation, strengthening its business operations and sustainability, and deliver trust amongst employees and employers？ The objective of this study is to analyze the perceptions of employees on issues pertaining ethics and integrity. The study has been conducted in one of the giant telecommunication companies in Malaysia where a sample of 7,056 employees were the participants involved in the survey. The study has used questionnaires to collect data. The data have then been analysed using the SPSS data analysis software. The findings explained that employees view the company as an ethical place to work where the finance department is deemed to have the highest level of integrity. While in matters of corruption risk areas, there are still practices of bribery. It is also founded that a majority of respondents about 93% agree that the company＇s initiatives are effective in building business integrity and that the level of business ethics and integrity has improved over the last two years. Running a business with ethics and integrity while selecting the fight business partners will create a corporation of ethics, integrity, and anti-corruption.

Ethical Problems in MTI Students’Escort Interpreting from the Perspective of Chesterman’s Models on Translation Ethics

The professionalization of translation has been discussed by many scholars in recent years,which has inspired the intense discussion of translation ethics.Drawing upon Chesterman’s models on translation ethics,this paper intends to examine the ethical problems in MTI students’escort interpreting for Vanuatu Sport Technical Assistance Project for the Pacific Mini Games in 2017 and China-ASEAN International Capacity Cooperation Forum in 2016.The data was collected by the methods of participant observation and informal interviews in the process of the two interpreting projects,especially the six-month assistance project.The ethical problems in the escort interpreting and the reasons that caused the problems were analyzed through case study.It is found that the major ethical problems that occurred are related to the ethics of communication,the norm-based ethics,and the ethics of commitment.These ethical problems were mainly related to the student escort interpreters’language proficiency,professional qualities,and intercultural/interpersonal communication competence.Some solutions are suggested based on Chesterman’s models on translation ethics.It is hoped that the research findings can provide some references to the implementation of the similar interpreting programs in the future,and enhance interpreting teaching and training programs.

A Study of the Effects of Family Precepts,Rules and Ethics on Children’s Education During the Tang Dynasty

From the perspectives of the prosperity of the Sui and Tang dynasties,the rise and fall of the aristocrats and the prevalence of the imperial examination,this paper studies the impact of family precepts,rules,and ethics on children’s education.I believe that an important feature of family precepts in the Tang Dynasty was the development of the cultural tradition of poetry and literature study within the family,which promoted virtues like loyalty,filial piety,diligence,frugality and modesty and had a profound influence on future generations.The rise and fall of Tang Dynasty families was closely related to family precepts,rules,ethics,and learning.Famous and respectable families often regarded these traits as important means to maintain the family’s status,which objectively promoted the development of family scholarship and the importance of children’s education in the Tang Dynasty.The concept of learning as a“carry-on treasure”has become a common belief among scholars and has played a positive role in educating Chinese society,enriching our culture,and keeping society in order.

Pursuing the Good, Ethics and Metaphysics in Plato's Republic

‘Pursuing the good’ is an old subject in both social history of ancient Greece and Greek philosophy studies. There is hardly anything new when we talk about virtue or morality in the time of Plato and Aristotle. In the area of Greek history, many books and articles on or relevant to

Hegel's Philosophical Discourse of Political Ethics and Spirit of Enchantment

Philosophy of Right as the text of Hegel's thought of practical philosophy has been the most important academic dominance on Hegel.The differences of ethical spirit between Phenomenology of Spirit and Philosophy of Right were lack of attention.The former focuses on historical consciousness in formation of modern spirit.The latter which is construction practice is based on the former.This concern will enable us to maintain a clear understanding of the particularity behind universal ethical values in globalization era and multi-cultural dialogue.

Modeling foraging habitats of Hume’s Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) in Dazhong Mountain, Yunnan, southwestern China

We modeled foraging habitats of Hume’s Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) on a macro-habitat level using ArcGIS in an attempt to provide scientific reference for management and restoration of habitats. Field work was conducted from March to April in 2006 and 2008, and from October to November in 2005 and 2008 in Dazhong Mountain, Yunnan Province, southwestern China. The selection of ecological factors was estimated by means of a resource selection index, distance analysis and the method of hierarchical habitat selection. The foraging habitat patches were modeled spatially by ArcGIS. The results show that actual and potential foraging patches overlapped considerably in spring and autumn. The number and total areas of patches in the autumn were smaller than those in the spring. The minimum and average areas of patches in the autumn were larger than those in the spring, while the maximum areas of actual and potential foraging patches in the autumn were equal to those in the spring. Similarity in the selection for survival and safety consideration in both seasons was the main strategy for landscape factors of habitats by Hume’s Pheasant, while seasonal difference in selecting a landscape matrix was their secondary strategy, affecting landscape factors in the habitat. Changes of foraging patches in both seasons reflect a difference of resources requirement by the bird. Fragmentation and miniaturization of foraging patches would result in the formation of a meta-population of Hume’s Pheasant.

Emancipatory reflection on a nursing practice-based ethical issue about nurses' paternalistic decision-making for patients

Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate and promote the skill of critical emancipatory reflection through reflecting on a nursing practice-based ethical issue about nurses' paternalistic decision-making for patients. Meanwhile, critical awareness will be developed and the underlying issues of paternalism in nursing decision-making will be analyzed. Then, by applying the procedure, improvement in nursing decision-making practice will be expected.Methods: Taylor's model of emancipatory reflection with four steps, including construction, deconstruction, confrontation, and reconstruction, is utilized to guide the author's reflection.Results: Guided by the socialization theory, the author's personal and professional socialization is seen to be associated with the formation of the value of paternalism. The theory of reflexivity is applied to unearth the related issues, including deeper personal value,work environment, as well as historical and cultural contexts. Moreover, the power derived from policy, work relationship, and nursing administration, which could induce paternalism in the author's nursing decision-making practice, was critically debated using the hegemony theory. Finally, new insights into paternalism will be achieved, which enable change in terms of how to facilitate patients' autonomous decision-making.Conclusions: The process of refection makes it clear that respecting patients' right and performing patient-centered caring are the bases to change the paternalism existing in the nursing decision-making practice currently. The reconstruction step assists the author in terms of how to value the patients' autonomy and balance patients' safety and choice, rather than being overprotective; carry out risk assessment, and search for strong evidence to counterbalance the positive and negative aspects of risk-taking; communicate with patients appropriately in a manner that they can comprehend; spend more time to explore patients' preference and choice; make every effort to elevate the patients' decision-making capacity; implement patient-centered care and shared decision-making in nursing practice; consult with other colleagues and obtain the required support when limitations or challenges exist; try to justify and avoid hidden paternalism behind policy or guidelines; deal with the power in hand well and fairly; and also positively face the powers that constrain the author.

Informed consent process: ethical and practical challenges in clinical trials regarding subject enrollment, protection, and informed consent in developing countries (India, Pakistan & Iran)

In this study,we are discussing the rationale behind informed consent in clinical trials in developing countries.It elaborates how informed consent has remained an ethical and practical issue.Poverty,endemic diseases,and a lack of investment in healthcare systems influence the ease of conducting and selecting trials that can benefit the people of developing countries.Differences in cultural perspectives,religious beliefs,a lack of formal training for clinical staff,children,time zone difference,literacy,vulnerable population,and language barriers for subject enrollment,protection,and informed are also challenges.This report doesn’t only highlight the right the wrongs of the past or reiterate cases where clinical trials have hurt subjects in developing countries.The current study investigates the conditions of human research in developing countries to make them more ethically sound.The extends proposals to investigators,scientists,governments,sponsors,and other groups who are interested where appropriate.

Huangmei Opera’s Emotional Enthrallment and Ethical Evaluation

Huangmei opera is a local opera popular in Hubei,Jiangxi and Anhui Province.The regional characteristics of Chinese traditional art are very distinctive,with each place having its unique features.The formation of traditional artistic features in each region reflects the artistic temperament of different regions.This paper discusses the evolution of Huangmei opera and the root cause of its popularity in China.It holds that the charm of Huangmei opera results from its artistic elements from the grassroots culture and its power of learning in keeping up with the step of the times.It is a portrait of Chinese grassroots’emotional enthrallment and evolution of ethical evaluation.

在崇高与底线之间:常态师德及其建设

师德建设要想真正有效,就必须明确其逻辑起点。然而当前师德建设的逻辑起点存在着不同程度的两极化现象,即以崇高师德和底线师德作为师德建设的主要出发点,导致很大程度上忽视了占教师队伍大多数普通教师的常态师德。常态师德的对象范围、内容特点及价值取向等都与前两者有着明显区别。强调常态师德,既有利于师德建设回归教师的职业属性,也有利于发挥师德建设对学生的隐性德育功能,还有利于营造更为理性的师德建设环境。加强常态师德建设,需要重点明确对象意识、专业意识和谱系意识。

企业科研人员对科技伦理治理的态度及影响因素:基于问卷调查的分析

企业是科技伦理治理的重要主体,而企业科研人员对科技伦理治理的态度会影响企业伦理治理能力和成效。基于对一项全国企业科研人员调查数据的分析发现,企业科研人员日常工作中碰到科技伦理议题的情况比较普遍。但总体而言,与其他科研人员相比,企业科研人员对于加强科技伦理治理持更“消极”的态度;科技伦理失范行为风险感知、机构伦理(审查)委员会设置情况,以及科技伦理“大环境”等因素都会影响企业科研人员对科技伦理治理的态度。并对研究发现的理论和政策含义及研究的局限性进行了简要讨论。

师风与师德治理

教师的职业道德不能简单地以师德规范进行判定,师德规范背后还有更高的价值,即师风。师风决定于教育的本质和职能。根据教育在农业文明、工业文明和信息文明的不同职能,提炼出了为人师表、传道授业、指引促进这三个迭代融合的师风。依据师风进行师德评判可以使师德治理跟教育本质保持一致性,否则,师德治理就容易流于道德实在论,将师德规范仅仅看作外在权威的强制性“要求”,而不是教师职业成长的“需要”;评价师德行为也会倾向于根据规范的字面意思而不是它的精神实质,或依据行为的结果而不是动机。有了师风,师德治理会赋予教师无限的创造空间,使教师在更高层次上体现教育家精神。

社会学视角下教师专业伦理的分析框架

提升师德水平是我国近年来教师政策反复强调的议题,研究者也试图通过新的术语实现师德研究在范式和取向上的更新。然而,目前的研究多聚焦于从个体层面对教师专业伦理进行探讨,相对忽视了从群体角度来理解教师专业伦理现象,剖析其社会特征。专业社会学为拓展这一方向提供了扎实的理论基础,因此,在综合功能论、冲突论和生态论的专业伦理理论的基础上,将教师专业伦理作为一个社会现象,置于特定历史文化进程中加以理解并提炼出普遍与特殊、象征与实质、社会与个体、内化与外铄四对范畴,为从群体角度分析教师专业伦理现象提供认识工具。

英国科技伦理监管体系研究与启示

英国是科技创新强国,向来重视科技伦理的合理有效监管,已建立涉及多个领域的科技伦理监管体系。通过研究英国科技伦理监管法规政策制度和实验动物、卫生健康、转基因与生态环境、数据、人工智能以及财政资助计划项目等领域的伦理监管体制机制,分析总结英国科技伦理监管体系的经验及特点,本文认为英国内政部负责的实验动物管理体制、独特的卫生健康伦理监管系统、重视财政资助计划项目伦理监管以及有效的信息化平台支撑是英国科技伦理监管体系的特色,对中国加强科技伦理治理具有一定借鉴意义。就此提出加强科技伦理治理的相关启示及建议,为构建适合中国特色的科技伦理治理体系提供借鉴。

泛师德化现象导正:教师专业道德建设的时代使命

泛师德化现象产生有其必然性、自然性与合理性,用教师专业道德建设来导正泛师德化现象是理性的选择。泛师德化现象包括私德师德化、公德师德化与违法事件师德化。教师专业道德导正泛师德化现象的发生机理是折射效应、涟漪效应与渗透效应三重机制。新时代教师专业道德建设导正泛师德化现象的三重路径是:塑造教师专业道德人格,提升师德的内核影响力;历练教师专业道德品行,提升师德的美德辐射力;培育教师专业道德文化,提升师德的文化涵化力。

基于SOA的医德医风信息系统研究与设计

目的:设计医德医风信息系统,建立医护人员医德医风电子档案,以实现医德医风考核的信息化管理。方法:采用Java技术、SOA理论体系进行系统构建,MYSQL作为开发数据库,建立基于B/S模式的医德医风量化考核分析管理系统。结果:该系统成功应用到医院的实际工作中,为医院在三级医院评审医德医风专项检查工作提供数据支持。结论:该系统促进了医院医德医风管理标准化、规范化,提高了管理效率,更好的满足了职能科室的管理需求,值得大力推广。

从Andrew Chesterman的五个翻译伦理模式谈译者主体对翻译伦理的坚守

翻译研究的文化学转向赋予了译者更多的能动性,译者主体地位得以加强。在文化学研究的背景下,一些西方学者提出了翻译研究中的伦理回归,其中,芬兰学者Andrew Chesterman的五个翻译伦理模式为译者主体性研究提供了新视角。跨文化交际中,译者须遵守翻译伦理与职业道德规范,既要看到客体的制约性,又要正确发挥主体能动性。