Governments and the nuclear power industry have a strong interest in playing down the harmful effects of radiation from atomic weapons and nuclear power plants. Over the years, some scientists have supported the view that low levels of radiation are not harmful, while other scientists have held that all radiation is harmful. The author examines the radiation effects of nuclear bombs dropped on ...

This issue of PLoS Genetics contains the second of two important papers describing the high levels of meiotic failure caused by exposure of female mice to a chemical known as Bisphenol A (BPA) [1]. In the first article [2], Pat Hunt and her collaborators demonstrated high levels of meiotic failure in females exposed to BPA, suggesting that BPA exposure affects maturing oocytes. This conclusion ...

We construct an infinite horizon model of harmful addiction. Consumption is compulsive if it differs from what the individual would have chosen had commitment been available. A good is addictive if its consumption leads to more compulsive consumption of the same good. We analyze the welfare implications of drug policies and find that taxes on drugs decrease welfare while prohibitive policies ma...

At this time, when we have still some months to wait for the findings of the Royal Commission, it may be of interest to consider the certification of the lunatic. It is unfortunate that on this point (as on others) there is still a conflict between the ideas of the doctor?interested solely in the ultimate as well as the immediate mental and physical welfare of the patient?and various people int...

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To determine the effects, both harmful and beneficial of aspirin in the primary prevention of coronary heart disease. PRIMARY QUESTIONS Does aspirin prevent fatal and non-fatal CHD in people without symptomatic vascular disease? Does aspirin reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality? SECONDARY QUE...