Research on Environmental Health Interventions: Ethical Problems and Solutions

This article reviews a variety of ethical issues one must consider when conducting research on environmental health interventions on human subjects. The paper uses the Kennedy Krieger Institute lead abatement study as well as a hypothetical asthma study to discuss questions concerning benefits and risks, risk minimization, safety monitoring, the duty to warn, the duty to report, the use of control groups, informed consent, equitable subject selection, privacy, conflicts of interest, and community consultation. Research on environmental health interventions can make an important contribution to our understanding of human health and disease prevention, provided it is conducted in a manner that meets prevailing scientific, ethical, and legal standards for research on human subjects.     

HIV Infections as Unanticipated Problems During Medical Research in Africa

Regulations and guidelines in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom require institutions that manage medical research on humans anywhere in the world to protect research participants. Analyses of published data from six medical research projects in Africa funded by governments and other organizations in the above countries reveal HIV infections statistically linked to participation in research. Given this evidence, regulations and guidelines obligate institutions that fund, manage, or regulate these projects to investigate to determine if invasive procedures in research clinics infected participants. Findings from such investigations could have a broad and beneficial impact on health care safety in Africa.     

The Meaning and Meaningfulness of Corporate Social Initiatives

In response to pressures to be more “socially responsible,” corporations are becoming more active in global communities through direct involvement in social initiatives. Critics, however, question the sincerity of these activities and argue that firms are simply attempting to stave off stakeholder pressures without providing a corresponding benefit to society. By drawing on institutional theory and resource dependence theory, we consider what factors influence the adoption of a “meaningful” social initiative—an initiative that is sustainable and has the potential for a significant positive impact on society—as opposed to a symbolic initiative. In addition, we raise the question of how social initiatives—both meaningful and symbolic—participate in the “institutional war” over the meaning of corporate social responsibility.     

Constitutional Philosophy,Pragmatism, and Economic Regulation*

This article explores the various senses in which the framers of the Constitution were motivated by a pragmatist philosophical framework, and how this pragmatism influenced their vision of the best interests of the American economic system. We argue that, on various grounds, the framers would have disapproved of the excessive regulation that characterizes the current business environment.     

THE ESTIMATION OF LINEAR PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS HAVING MULTICOLLINEAR INPUTS

In this paper linear production functions with highly correlated independent variables are estimated. Because many production processes require the use of inputs in fixed proportions, multicolinearity is usually a serious problem. This is usually the case when one attempts to estimate a linear or Cobb-Douglass (in log linear form) production function. Estimates of the marginal products of a linear production function are obtained by employing the first order conditions of the output maximizing solution given a cost constraint. Parameter estimates are determined for the case where the input costs are constants. The general case, where the input prices are functions of utilization levels, is delineated.     

Entry into Residential Care

Summary This paper examines the interaction between the organizationalstructure of social services departments and procedures foradmission into residential care. By drawing on research experiencea 'placements table' is proposed which contains the key operationaldecisionstaken by the department when the client becomes a resident.It is argued that, in accordance with the structure of the department,it is possible to suggest appropriate staff to make each keydecision in order that departmental criteria for admissionsmay be met.