Real and imagined dangers

Article Abstract:

A recent article in volume 251 of Science magazine entitled 'Vaccination for Disease' may have caused inappropriate concern about the effectiveness of chimeric vaccines. These are vaccines made from an active virus or bacteria, called a vector, which is joined to a segment of the virus against which the vaccine is targeted. The principal finding reported in the article was that mice immunized with a chimera, made of a vaccinia virus joined with proteins from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), were less well protected against LCMV infection than mice immunized with whole (nonchimeric) LCMV; in fact, the disease the chimera-vaccinated mice contracted was even more virulent. Vaccines work by stimulating the host's immune system, which mounts a response against the stimulating agent (antigen); at issue is the optimal construction of antigens. Vaccines should meet three immunologic criteria. Vaccines should contain enough different kinds of T cells (the main cell of the cellular immune system) that T-cell responses will be elicited in all members of the population. In response to vaccination, a large pool of memory T and B cells (the main cell of the humoral immune system) should be generated. These points are congruent with the findings reported in Science. Finally, a vaccine should induce high levels of antibody, so adequate protection is be readily available. Infection with LCMV is unusual, and the way the infection was transmitted to the mice (injection into the brain) was unnatural. This undoubtedly limited the availability of LCMV to the immune system. It is known that administration of specific 'killer' T cells or chimeric vaccines, after infection with a lethal dose of virus can prevent infection. Although most currently used vaccines consist of live, attenuated viruses that induce T cell responses to fight acute infection, the vaccines that are now needed are those against agents that cause chronic, persistent infection. For instance, chimeric vaccines are now under development for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. Some diseases may still require vaccines that use live viral vectors to achieve optimal protection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Safety and security measures, Product development, Physiological aspects, Vaccines

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Urgent thinking required about development: A report from the World Bank has highlighted the dangers of a growing knowledge gap between rich and poor nations. The issue needs to be placed at the heart of development aid strategies

Article Abstract:

The World Bank has devoted is annual report on world development to the significance of knowledge in the development process. The global economic system is facing severe crisis, with the East Asian economies at the heart of the crisis. New approaches to the role of science and technology in development are required, and sustainable capacity building has now replaced infrastructure projects. A new set of ground-rules for research and innovation between the developing and industrialized world may been needed ultimately.

Analysis, Planning, Sustainable development

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The dangers of coarse politics

Article Abstract:

The scientific lobby group, Science Watch, developed its Science Scoreboard which was designed to rate members of Congress on their voting performance on science and science-related issues. The publication of the results of the rating system created great divisions in both the Republican and Democratic Parties. Moreover, it further alienated legislators from the scientific community.

Political aspects, Legislators

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