Genetic Counseling and the Ethical Issues Around Direct to Consumer Genetic Testing

Over the last several years, direct to consumer(DTC) genetic testing has received increasing attention in the public, healthcare and academic realms. DTC genetic testing companies face considerable criticism and scepticism,particularly from the medical and genetic counseling community. This raises the question of what specific aspects of DTC genetic testing provoke concerns, and conversely,promises, for genetic counselors. This paper addresses this question by exploring DTC genetic testing through an ethic allens. By considering the fundamental ethical approaches influencing genetic counseling (the ethic of care and principle-based ethics) we highlight the specific ethical concerns raised by DTC genetic testing companies. Ultimately,when considering the ethics of DTC testing in a genetic counseling context, we should think of it as a balancing act. We need careful and detailed consideration of the risks and troubling aspects of such testing, as well as the potentially beneficial direct and indirect impacts of the increased availability of DTC genetic testing. As a result it is essential that genetic counselors stay informed and involved in the ongoing debate about DTC genetic testing and DTC companies. Doing so will ensure that the ethical theories and principles fundamental to the profession of genetic counseling are promoted not just in traditional counseling sessions,but also on a broader level. Ultimately this will help ensure that the public enjoys the benefits of an increasingly genetic based healthcare system.     

Extending self‐leadership research to the East: Measurement equivalence of the Chinese and English versions of the MSLQ

In response to calls regarding the applicability of self‐leadership measurement in Eastern (collectivistic) and Western (individualistic) cultures, this study examined the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the modified self‐leadership questionnaire (MSLQ). The sample consisted of 395 Chinese students and 241 Australian students. Results revealed that the modified self‐leadership questionnaire exhibited a satisfactory condition of psychometric properties across cultures. A series of multi‐sample confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated the cross‐cultural similarity of an 11‐factor model across the Chinese and Australian samples. The modified self‐leadership questionnaire was also found to possess measurement invariance, suggesting that it is appropriate for cross‐cultural research assessing differences of self‐leadership behaviour across Chinese and Western cultures. Implications for future research are also discussed.     

The treatment of psychological trauma from the perspective of attachment research

This paper looks at the implications of attachment research for the treatment of psychological trauma. This is particularly important in the field of family therapy given that PTSD both impacts on the immediate family system and can be transmitted down the generations. After an initial review of current research in the field, the paper focuses on the assessment and treatment of PTSD, emphasizing the importance of integrating techniques from different models that enable clients to modulate their emotions as part of the therapeutic process. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of support and supervision for the therapists in order to avoid secondary traumatization.     

Plain Semi-Post algebras as a poset-based generalization of post algebras and their representability

Semi-Post algebras of any type T being a poset have been introduced and investigated in [CR87a], [CR87b]. Plain Semi-Post algebras are in this paper singled out among semi-Post algebras because of their simplicity, greatest similarity with Post algebras as well as their importance in logics for approximation reasoning ([Ra87a], [Ra87b], [RaEp87]). They are pseudo-Boolean algebras generated in a sense by corresponding Boolean algebras and a poset T. Every element has a unique descending representation by means of elements in a corresponding Boolean algebra and primitive Post constants which form a poset T. An axiomatization and another characterization, subalgebras, homomorphisms, congruences determined by special filters and a representability theory of these algebras, connected with that for Boolean algebras, are the subject of this paper.To the memory of Jerzy SupeckiResearch reported here has been supported by Polish Government Grant CPBP 01.01     

PSYCHOLOGY IN HONG KONG*

Western psychology has had only a brief history in Hong Kong. However, it has grown considerably in the last two decades and is now firmly established academically and professionally. Currently, the Hong Kong Psychological Society has about 200 members and affiliates. Postgraduate training in research and in professional (clinical and educational) psychology is offered on a limited scale. Academic psychologists are active in research and in international bodies. Among practitioners, clinical psychologists number about 60 and educational psychologists about 20 - already among the largest in Asia. Two considerations are paramount in discussing future directions: to develop a psychology with indigenous roots, and to face the challenge of changing sociopolitical realities posed by the return of Hong Kong to China's sovereignty in 1997.     

ROLE OF INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS IN SUPPORTING SOCIAL VALUES TO SUSTAIN ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN NEWLY-INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS

Organizations are evolving into a flatter structure with fewer intermediate organizational levels. Especially, fewer middle managers are needed to relay communications up and down the hierarchy. As information technology is deployed for competitive advantage, fulfilling internal communication becomes as crucial as fulfilling external communications with suppliers and customers. Fulfilling internal communications is especially crucial because incorporation of social (organizational) values and corporate culture requires communication. As the role of communication expands, the role of information technology in promoting communication is fostering experimentation in organizing work and in management practices. For example, electronic mail promotes equality and consensus in a manner that enables participatory rather than authoritarian management. An infrastructure network is a telecommunications network that provides basic communication services on which public, e.g. government, or private organizations depend for their survival. An infrastructure network is distinguished from any ordinary communications facility because it is both pervasive and comprehensive to promote group participation. An infrastructure network is further distinguished by its robustness that allows sufficient bandwidth for substantial resource sharing. Infrastructure networks represent a vital opportunity for newly-industrialized nations in Asia. In these nations, through effective communication, social values related to the ‘group’ will produce a better payoff. This payoff would result from the momentum and partnership experience generated by recent economic success. Also, the relatively smaller size of these nations would enable easier networking. Finally, as demonstrated by their success and as a result of their smaller scale, the ability of these nations to focus on what needs to be done will ensure the wise investment of funds earned from economic success in projects that will guarantee future success. This paper recommends the development of infrastructure networks including national and local networks as well as gateways (to other national networks) and other network, e.g. data bases, resources. The involvement of all constituencies, government and education as well as the private sector, will encourage experiments with information technology in organizing work and in management practices that incorporate social values.     

Preliminary neuropsychological outcomes of angioplasty and stenting of extracranial cerebral arteries

Preliminary evaluation of the neuropsychological status of three Chinese-speaking patients receiving angioplasty and stenting of extracranial cerebral arteries showed no significant decline in their performance on cognitive tasks measuring (1) memory function, verbal and nonverbal memory, (2) attention, and (3) cognitive processing speed. Although angioplasty and stenting of extracranial cerebral arteries did not appear associated with detrimental changes in the cognitive status of the two patients completing all cognitive tasks, their relation must be confirmed as a neuropsychologically safe measure for reducing the risk of stroke in Chinese with significant extracranial cerebral artery stenosis by a randomized controlled study with a much larger sample.