The biological limits on autonomy.

KIE: Morison contends that an ethics based on the maximization of autonomy is doubly fallacious, pragmatically because it weakens the individual's sense of responsibility to the human community, and philosophically because of inherent problems in defining the concept. He finds it essential for some purposes to think of individuals as free to make choices and for other purposes to think of these choices as simultaneously determined by a host of different factors. After reviewing the thinking of determinists of both the sociobiologist and the orthodox Calvinist camps, and considering how current-day bioethicists have incorporated the concept of autonomy into the doctrine of informed consent, he focuses on the implications that the science of human behavior has for understanding the paradox that the individual becomes more autonomous as the number of determinants of behavior increases.^ieng

Is there a biological person?

Most biologists are dissatisfied with attempts to understand complex organisms simply by reducing them to their physical and chemical elements. They may hypothesize that the whole transcends its parts, and pursue philoso- phical efforts to find in personhood the presumptive but crucial difference between Homo sapiens and other species. But personhood is not a biological property; rather, man's creative nervous system invents and elaborates personhood with its sanctification of rights and protections. Others may hold different transcendental views, but men of good will often agree on what to do while disagreeing on why they agree.

Effect of diflubenzuron (Dimilin; TH--6040) on the hyaluronic acid concentration in chicken combs.

The addition of N-[[(4-chlorphenyl)amino]carbonyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide(diflubenzuron; Dimilin; TH-6040) up to levels of 250 ppm of the total diet of both male broilers and layers for 98 days did not affect the hyaluronic acid (HA) concentration (microgram/g tissue) in the combs. The concentration was measured at 21, 28, 42, 56, and 98 days on feed. The concentration in the combs of the layers were not significantly different at any sampling period regardless of diet. At the end of 56 days on feed, the combs of the broiler controls had a significantly (P less than .025) higher concentration than did any of the groups fed diflubenzuron. There were no differences observed at 21, 28, 42, or 98 days in the broilers. The HA concentration increased as the chickens matured and became larger; however, large variations were observed within the various groups at a given sample period.