Cross‐Species Chimeras: Exploring a Possible Christian Perspective

Various entities that combine material from humans and other animals at either the cellular or subcellular level have attracted growing public interest. I explore the controversy by considering both the scientific rationale behind creating various entities that have prompted the greatest public concern and possible ethical implications. I note a number of potentially relevant biblical passages and reflect on the imago Dei and considerations of telos in order to prompt wider discussion regarding how Christians might respond to such emerging bioethical issues.     

“心理距离“在后悔加工中作用的初步研究

采用改编的虚构故事,通过240名大学生课堂实验的形式,对假设思维中涉及的最佳状态和理想状态之间的心理距离是影响后悔强度的主要因素的假设进行检验。结果部分支持了该假设。同时表明,心理距离外的其它因素,如“孤岛效应”也对后悔加工有较大的影响。另外,对后悔的后加工观进行了检验,为后悔的研究从实验室转向现实生活辅平了道路。     

A project to strengthen linkages between genetic centers and child welfare services

Genetic centers are reaching out to underserved populations. One of the most vulnerable underserved populations is children receiving child welfare services. Delivering genetic services to this group is particularly problematic because of multiple barriers. The first step in overcoming barriers is developing linkages between the genetic and adoption service systems with the goal of increasing referrals of child welfare clients to genetic services. This paper presents a model of fostering linkages that was developed under the auspices of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Human Genetics Network with support from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Genetic Services Branch. Although the project was regional and funded, the model can be applied at the local level.     

Topography of signal-centered behavior in the rat: Effects of deprivation state and reinforcer type

In a series of three experiments, groups of food-deprived and water-deprived rats were given pairings of a retractable lever (CS⁺) with response-independent deliveries of either solid or liquid reinforcers. In Experiment 1 food-deprived rats given a solid-pellet reinforcer differentially tended to sniff, paw, mouth, and bite the CS⁺ lever more often than a lever that was not paired with food (CS⁻), whereas food-deprived rats given a liquid reinforcer tended to differentially sniff, paw, and lick the CS⁺ lever. 23½-hour water-deprived rats given liquid reinforcers showed very little CS⁺ contact. In Experiment 2 increasing the severity of water deprivation from 23½ to 47½ hours significantly increased CS⁺ contact. In Experiment 3, subjects that were simultaneously food and water deprived and given a water reinforcer failed to exhibit differential CS⁺ contact, but subjects that were simultaneously food and water deprived and given a food reinforcer did acquire differential CS⁺-contact behavior. These results suggest that (a) even under a single motivational state the nature of signal-centered behavior can be determined by type of reinforcer, (b) although water reinforcement produces less signal contact than food reinforcement, this can be facilitated with more severe water-deprivation levels, and (c) high CS-contact rates using food reinforcement are not simply a product of reductions in body weight with food deprivation.     

The excitatory state in the triangular constant method

The Triangular Constant Method was designed for the measurement of discriminability between sensory stimuli. Its original model assumes a steady excitatory detection state. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the consequences of assuming a variable excitatory state and to formulate the concomitant model.     

催眠和变更意识状态的探索与思考

如今一般大众,甚至许多心理学专业人员都把催眠状态下的意识和各种变更的意识状态统称为潜意识状态,这种提法存在着很大弊端。本文举实例论述了单就催眠状态来说也有不相同的表现利性质;同时阐述了研究具体的各种变更意识状态的表现、性质、特点及分类的重要性。     

Do chimpanzees tailor their gestural signals to fit the attentional states of others?

The use of vocalizations and tactile gestures by seven juvenile chimpanzees was experimentally investigated. The subjects interacted with an experimenter who typically handed them food rewards. In some trials, however, the experimenter waited 20 s before doing so. In these trials the experimenter’s eyes were either open or closed, or the experimenter was either looking away from the subject or looking directly at him/her inquisitively with head movements. Although the chimpanzees produced at least one of the non-visual gestures mentioned (touching/tapping the experimenter or vocalizing) in 72% of all experimental trials, these actions and vocalizations were deployed without regard to the attentional state of their potential recipient, despite evidence that the subjects noticed the postures that defined the experimenter’s attentional state. The results are discussed in the context of the distinction between the evolution of an understanding of seeing/attention as an internal mental state versus an understanding of behavioral postures alone. Recieved: 12 February 1999 / Accepted after revision: 18 August 1999     

Protection of animal research subjects

The use of experimental animals, mostly rodents, in biomedical research and especially in oncology and immunology should be acknowledged with respect, recognizing the contribution of animal experimentation in the fascinating scientific progress in these disciplines of research. It is an obligation of the investigator to justify the scientific and ethical aspects of each study requiring the use of animals. The international guiding principles for using animals in biomedical research are well defined and have been distributed worldwide by the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) since 1956, when this Organization was founded. In Poland the ICLAS philosophy and principles are highly respected and were implemented firstly by the members of the Commission on Biology of Experimental Animals appointed in 1962 by the Department of Medical Science of the Polish Academy of Science in Warsaw. Animal Protection Acts, first proclaimed in 1928 were gradually modified and improved. Actual legislation (enacted in 1997, 2003 and 2005) is consistent with EU Directives (86/609/EEC) and follows the internationally recommended principles that include ICLAS guidelines concerning animal welfare and care condition in biomedical research. The problem of “alternative methods” is briefly discussed. Dr. Donald Boisvert, CCAC — Canadian Council on Animal Care A lecture on the subject of this paper was presented at the 6th International Bioethics Conference entitled ‘The Responsible Conduct of Basic and Clinical Research’, held in Warsaw, Poland, 3–4 June 2005. The author is the National Representative of Polish Academy of Science to the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) and a Member of the ICLAS Governing Board.     

Being a self: considerations from functional imaging

Having a self is associated with important advantages for an organism.These advantages have been suggested to include mechanisms supporting elaborate capacities for planning, decision-making, and behavioral control. Acknowledging such functionality offers possibilities for obtaining traction on investigation of neural correlates of self-hood. A method that has potential for investigating some of the brain-based properties of self arising in behavioral contexts varying in requirements for such behavioral guidance and control is functional brain imaging. Data obtained with this method are beginning to converge on a set of brain areas that appear to play a significant role in permitting conscious access to representational content having reference to self as an embodied and independent experiencer and agent. These areas have been identified in a variety of imaging contexts ranging from passive state conditions in which they appear to manifest ongoing activity associated with spontaneous and typically 'self-related' cognition, to tasks targeting explicitly experienced properties of self, to demanding task conditions where activity within them is attenuated in apparent redirection of cognitive resources in the service of task guidance and control. In this paper, these data will be reviewed and a hypothesis presented regarding a significant role for these areas in enabling degrees of self-awareness and participating in the management of such behavioral control.