Cesare Emiliani Department of Geological Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33124 REFERENCES The World of Learning (Europa, London, ed. 42, 1992), p. 2021. 2. Concise Dictionary of Scientists (Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1989). 3. 1. Asimov, Asimov's Biographical Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (Doubleday, New York, 1992). 1.
specimens in a large Manhattan hospital as
of an epidemiologic study of karyotyped spontaneous abortions (1). Morphology was routinely assessed and an attempt was made to karyotype all specimens. We did not test for maternal or fetal infection. To estimate how many specimens might have been suitable for transplantation research, we recently examined data from the final phase of our study, when retrieval of specimens and the rate of successful karyotyping were optimal (2). To avoid confusion, we point out that the data referred to in a letter by Julianne Byrne (17 July, p. 310) derive from an earlier phase of this study (from January 1977 through August 1981), when Byrne was a doctoral student working on our project. National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines (3) specify that at least 100 fetuses per year of 8 to 16 weeks gestation be available for screening from a fetal tissue bank. Our data indicate that this would require access to about 1250 spontaneous abortions. Of the expected 100 fetuses, there would be at most about 14 with no visible signs of maceration (autolysis) that could be considered possible candidates for transplantation. A population of at least 10,400 pregnant women (4) is needed to yield the numbers required to participate in the tissue bank part
You get your primer or probe on time, or you get your next one for free. No questions, no quibbles. For $5.00 a base (and $20 setup charge), you'll receive a researchready, cartridge-purified product, complete with PAGE gel C pedigree. And you'll get it on time, or we'll be eating more than our words.
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Fetal Tissue Supply
tions and ectopic pregnancies, little rele-
data have been presented (News & Comment, 29 May, p. 1274; Letters, 17 July, p. 310). From 1974 to 1986 we attempted to obtain tissue from all spontaneous abortion vant
Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 Mervyn Susser Sergievsky Center, Columbia University
WE'LL SHIP YOUR OLIGO IN 48 HOURS, OR WE'LL EAT THE NEXT ONE.
a
Although there has been extensive debate over the expected number of fetal specimens suitable for transplantation that would be available from spontaneous abor-
feasibility study. In most locations, therefore, ascertainment will require the collaboration of several medical centers, compounding the challenges of rapid identification of emergency admissions and screening before women have left the hospital or physician's office. This herculean effort is projected to cost $500,000 in each of six banks-all to yield 14 specimens per bank which may or may not prove acceptable for transplantation research. Allowing the induced abortion debate to influence issues of fetal tissue research comes at great cost. We believe that the present NIH plan cannot be expected to produce sufficient numbers of usable specimens. There will be a significant loss of time in advancing transplantation research and of funding dollars that might be used for other research proposals with significant public health implications. Jennie Kline Ann Kinney Zena Stein New York State Psychiatric Institute and Sergievsky Center,
Downloaded from on March 29, 2016
NAS "could open a floodgate to people whose science isn't spectacular." Well! I suspect that not all of the 1647 active members plus 287 foreign associates and 83 voluntary emeriti of the NAS have done "spectacular" science, if "spectacular" is taken to mean a major scientific innovation that has opened a new field or shaken the foundation of an established one. That the NAS election process may be faulty is indicated by the observation that out of a total of 178 living American scientists deemed sufficiently prominent to be included with the great scientists of the past in the Concise Dictionary of Scientists (2) and in Asimov's Biographical Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (3), 44 (25%) are not even members. Because the NAS is so large (2017 total are affiliated), one can conclude that the vast majority of these members have done less "spectacular" work than at least some, if not most or even all, of the 44 nonmembers. In order to improve the NAS election process and eliminate any "old boys" syndrome, the election of new members could be run by an external body, perhaps consisting of scientists whose original work may not have been of major significance (and who therefore would not qualify for membership), but who dedicate themselves to writing about science with some sophistication. Such persons are generally up-to-date as to what is cooking in science and should be reasonably impartial: it's part of their job. The NAS could also consider an age limit (say, 65 years) in order to make room for younger people and move the elders into the nonvoting emeriti category.
setup * coupon, and we'll drop first order. That's a savings of $20 per oligo! lif you don't need any | oligos at the moment, we'll send you a coupon for future use.) Name
I
l
Title
Institution/Company Address
City
State
Zip
| Telephone I Genosys Biotechnologies, Inc. 8701 A New Trails Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381-4241 Phone: (7131 363-3693 1800) 2345-DNA Fax: (713) 363-2212
Circle No. 2 on Readers' Service Card
I |
:. .
Dorothy Warburton Department of Genetics and Development, and Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University REFERENCES AND NOTES
Check It Out!
1. J. Kline et al., Epidemiology 2, 409 (1991); J. Kline, Z. Stein, M. Susser, Conception to Birth: Epidemiology of Prenatal Development (Oxford Univ. Press, New York, 1989). The investigators of the project were J. Kline, Z. Stein, M. Sussar, and D. Warburton. The study drew on three Manhattan hospitals over a 12-year period. We identified all spontaneous abortions (defined as less than 28 weeks) and collected and attempted to culture the products of conception for karyotyping. In total, 5065 specimens were collected; 3315 yielded a karyotype. 2. Over the 42-month period from December 1982 through May 1986, we identified 1706 patients
SCIENCE'S New Computer Marketplace Section See the latest in computer technology including software programs designed specifically for scientific applications.
.........'
'll.
.11
who had spontaneous abortions before 20 weeks of gestation. We retrieved 1682 specimens, most consisting of only placental tissues, fetal membranes, or embryonic remnants. Of 138 with an intact embryo or fetus of a length corresponding to 8 to 16 weeks of gestation, only 19 (14% of these specimens and 1.1% of total spontaneous abortions) were judged to exhibit no maceration. Eighteen were karyotyped; all were chromosomally normal. There were also eight unmacerated specimens of more than 16 weeks of gestation. Maceration was judged by appearance only, that is, tissue color, integrity, and tone. Criteria for successful transplantation are certain to be much stricter. Thus our numbers estimate the upper limit of the proportion of cases that might meet transplant standards. 3. N/H Guide 21 (no. 22) (12 June 1992). 4. The estimate of 10,400 pregnancies assumes a 12% spontaneous abortion rate and the unlikely event that all women with spontaneous abortions seek medical care.
Corrections and Clarifications Figure 1, D, E, and F, on page 1564 of the report "Calcium entry through kainate receptors and resulting potassium-channel blockade in Bergmann glial cells" by T. Muller et al. (12 June, p. 1563) was printed incorrectly. The correct figure parts are printed below. (nA) F r2. E D
Located at the end of the Classified Section in this
issue of ScIENCE. l
-i~~i XYTTECHZA. des Petits Carreaux- 2, av. des Coquelicots
BIOXYTECH Z.A. des Petits CarreEaux 2, av. des Coquellcots F 94385 BONNEUIL-S;UR-MARNE CEDEX-FRANCE Tel.: 33 1 49 80 45 663 - Fax: 33 1 43 39 17 88 -
AN ASSAY OF SOD ACTIVITY 40 SECONDS ONLY!
F 94385 BONNEUIL-SUR-MARNE CEDEX-FRANCE Tel.: 33 1 49 80 45 66 - Fax: 33 1 43 39 17 88
1
0
.M
0
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REPRODUCIBLE! SPECIFIC!
I
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-y-G.
H * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~M4
0
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IN VITRO TEST FOR RESEARCH ONLY Circle No. 13 on Readers' Service Card
TGUJ.GY auIJY yo~ Y alWY
B.LCSY BLUCYS.GLY
U-CYS-GLY
y-GLly y-GLU-C LU-CYS-GL U-CYS-GLY yL CYS-GLY y-GLU-CYS-GLY S-GLY w-GLU-CYS-GLY
I, RAPID!
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200 assays
3~r,_
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FOR RESEARCH ONLY
Circle No. 14 on Readers' Service Card
specimens in a large Manhattan hospital as
of an epidemiologic study of karyotyped spontaneous abortions (1). Morphology was routinely assessed and an attempt was made to karyotype all specimens. We did not test for maternal or fetal infection. To estimate how many specimens might have been suitable for transplantation research, we recently examined data from the final phase of our study, when retrieval of specimens and the rate of successful karyotyping were optimal (2). To avoid confusion, we point out that the data referred to in a letter by Julianne Byrne (17 July, p. 310) derive from an earlier phase of this study (from January 1977 through August 1981), when Byrne was a doctoral student working on our project. National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines (3) specify that at least 100 fetuses per year of 8 to 16 weeks gestation be available for screening from a fetal tissue bank. Our data indicate that this would require access to about 1250 spontaneous abortions. Of the expected 100 fetuses, there would be at most about 14 with no visible signs of maceration (autolysis) that could be considered possible candidates for transplantation. A population of at least 10,400 pregnant women (4) is needed to yield the numbers required to participate in the tissue bank part
You get your primer or probe on time, or you get your next one for free. No questions, no quibbles. For $5.00 a base (and $20 setup charge), you'll receive a researchready, cartridge-purified product, complete with PAGE gel C pedigree. And you'll get it on time, or we'll be eating more than our words.
GE NO YS
or fax a copy of this7 SPECIAL OFFER! Call 1-800-2345-DNA, the charges on your
Fetal Tissue Supply
tions and ectopic pregnancies, little rele-
data have been presented (News & Comment, 29 May, p. 1274; Letters, 17 July, p. 310). From 1974 to 1986 we attempted to obtain tissue from all spontaneous abortion vant
Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 Mervyn Susser Sergievsky Center, Columbia University
WE'LL SHIP YOUR OLIGO IN 48 HOURS, OR WE'LL EAT THE NEXT ONE.
a
Although there has been extensive debate over the expected number of fetal specimens suitable for transplantation that would be available from spontaneous abor-
feasibility study. In most locations, therefore, ascertainment will require the collaboration of several medical centers, compounding the challenges of rapid identification of emergency admissions and screening before women have left the hospital or physician's office. This herculean effort is projected to cost $500,000 in each of six banks-all to yield 14 specimens per bank which may or may not prove acceptable for transplantation research. Allowing the induced abortion debate to influence issues of fetal tissue research comes at great cost. We believe that the present NIH plan cannot be expected to produce sufficient numbers of usable specimens. There will be a significant loss of time in advancing transplantation research and of funding dollars that might be used for other research proposals with significant public health implications. Jennie Kline Ann Kinney Zena Stein New York State Psychiatric Institute and Sergievsky Center,
Downloaded from on March 29, 2016
NAS "could open a floodgate to people whose science isn't spectacular." Well! I suspect that not all of the 1647 active members plus 287 foreign associates and 83 voluntary emeriti of the NAS have done "spectacular" science, if "spectacular" is taken to mean a major scientific innovation that has opened a new field or shaken the foundation of an established one. That the NAS election process may be faulty is indicated by the observation that out of a total of 178 living American scientists deemed sufficiently prominent to be included with the great scientists of the past in the Concise Dictionary of Scientists (2) and in Asimov's Biographical Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (3), 44 (25%) are not even members. Because the NAS is so large (2017 total are affiliated), one can conclude that the vast majority of these members have done less "spectacular" work than at least some, if not most or even all, of the 44 nonmembers. In order to improve the NAS election process and eliminate any "old boys" syndrome, the election of new members could be run by an external body, perhaps consisting of scientists whose original work may not have been of major significance (and who therefore would not qualify for membership), but who dedicate themselves to writing about science with some sophistication. Such persons are generally up-to-date as to what is cooking in science and should be reasonably impartial: it's part of their job. The NAS could also consider an age limit (say, 65 years) in order to make room for younger people and move the elders into the nonvoting emeriti category.
setup * coupon, and we'll drop first order. That's a savings of $20 per oligo! lif you don't need any | oligos at the moment, we'll send you a coupon for future use.) Name
I
l
Title
Institution/Company Address
City
State
Zip
| Telephone I Genosys Biotechnologies, Inc. 8701 A New Trails Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381-4241 Phone: (7131 363-3693 1800) 2345-DNA Fax: (713) 363-2212
Circle No. 2 on Readers' Service Card
I |
:. .
Dorothy Warburton Department of Genetics and Development, and Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University REFERENCES AND NOTES
Check It Out!
1. J. Kline et al., Epidemiology 2, 409 (1991); J. Kline, Z. Stein, M. Susser, Conception to Birth: Epidemiology of Prenatal Development (Oxford Univ. Press, New York, 1989). The investigators of the project were J. Kline, Z. Stein, M. Sussar, and D. Warburton. The study drew on three Manhattan hospitals over a 12-year period. We identified all spontaneous abortions (defined as less than 28 weeks) and collected and attempted to culture the products of conception for karyotyping. In total, 5065 specimens were collected; 3315 yielded a karyotype. 2. Over the 42-month period from December 1982 through May 1986, we identified 1706 patients
SCIENCE'S New Computer Marketplace Section See the latest in computer technology including software programs designed specifically for scientific applications.
.........'
'll.
.11
who had spontaneous abortions before 20 weeks of gestation. We retrieved 1682 specimens, most consisting of only placental tissues, fetal membranes, or embryonic remnants. Of 138 with an intact embryo or fetus of a length corresponding to 8 to 16 weeks of gestation, only 19 (14% of these specimens and 1.1% of total spontaneous abortions) were judged to exhibit no maceration. Eighteen were karyotyped; all were chromosomally normal. There were also eight unmacerated specimens of more than 16 weeks of gestation. Maceration was judged by appearance only, that is, tissue color, integrity, and tone. Criteria for successful transplantation are certain to be much stricter. Thus our numbers estimate the upper limit of the proportion of cases that might meet transplant standards. 3. N/H Guide 21 (no. 22) (12 June 1992). 4. The estimate of 10,400 pregnancies assumes a 12% spontaneous abortion rate and the unlikely event that all women with spontaneous abortions seek medical care.
Corrections and Clarifications Figure 1, D, E, and F, on page 1564 of the report "Calcium entry through kainate receptors and resulting potassium-channel blockade in Bergmann glial cells" by T. Muller et al. (12 June, p. 1563) was printed incorrectly. The correct figure parts are printed below. (nA) F r2. E D
Located at the end of the Classified Section in this
issue of ScIENCE. l
-i~~i XYTTECHZA. des Petits Carreaux- 2, av. des Coquelicots
BIOXYTECH Z.A. des Petits CarreEaux 2, av. des Coquellcots F 94385 BONNEUIL-S;UR-MARNE CEDEX-FRANCE Tel.: 33 1 49 80 45 663 - Fax: 33 1 43 39 17 88 -
AN ASSAY OF SOD ACTIVITY 40 SECONDS ONLY!
F 94385 BONNEUIL-SUR-MARNE CEDEX-FRANCE Tel.: 33 1 49 80 45 66 - Fax: 33 1 43 39 17 88
1
0
.M
0
A NEW SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC ASSAY OF REDUCED GLUTATHION
REPRODUCIBLE! SPECIFIC!
I
ABGLU-CYS-GIY TGLU-CYS-GLY ,-GLU-CYS-GLY -GLU-CYS-GLY
y-GLU-CYS-GLY 4-GLU-CYS-GLY y-GLU-CYS-GLY v-GLU-CYS-GLY y-GLU-CYS-GLY t-GLU-CYS-GLY
-y-G.
H * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~M4
0
200 assays
IN VITRO TEST FOR RESEARCH ONLY Circle No. 13 on Readers' Service Card
TGUJ.GY auIJY yo~ Y alWY
B.LCSY BLUCYS.GLY
U-CYS-GLY
y-GLly y-GLU-C LU-CYS-GL U-CYS-GLY yL CYS-GLY y-GLU-CYS-GLY S-GLY w-GLU-CYS-GLY
I, RAPID!
GLY y-GLU-CYS-GLY LY y-GLU-CYS-GLY INVRTRO TEST L a %
200 assays
3~r,_
9ron_
FOR RESEARCH ONLY
Circle No. 14 on Readers' Service Card
