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LY D © oF VEN? NANOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS ON THE RISE Other trials where deaths occurred included those 4 that were looking for resistance to eczema in sheep, those exploring feeding motivation in pregnant sheep and those collecting tissue from genetically modified embryos. The general manager of applied biotechnologies Jimmy Suttie said that after 13 years of studying how to prevent abnormalities forming in cloned animals, AgResearch had ended its cloning research. Only about 10 per cent of cloned animals survived through the trials, with the main problems being spontaneous abortions and hydrops—where a cow's uterus filled up with fluid, leading to the mother having to be euthanised as well. (Source: Dominion Post, New Zealand, 2 February 20n1, http://tinyurl.com/6eg7uu4) Avon to the < Washington-based Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN), over 1,300 manufacturer- identified, nanotechnology- enabled products have entered the commercial marketplace around the world. The most recent update to the group's five-year-old inventory reflects the continuing use of the tiny particles in everything from conventional products like non-stick cookware to more unique items such as self- cleaning window treatments. Health and fitness items continue to dominate the PEN inventory, representing 56 per cent of products listed. More products are based on nanoscale silver—used for its antimicrobial properties—than any other nanomaterial. (Source: ScienceDaily.com, 13 March 20n, http://tinyurl.com/4pkg2pqg) AgResearch to end its cloning trials in New Zealand. Reports into trials conducted at he Ruakura centre detail chronic arthritis, pneumonia, lameness and blood poisoning among the causes of cattle, sheep and goat deaths. The reports, made available under he Official Information Act, refer to rials including those carried out on genetically engineered animals being developed to produce a kind of supermilk as well as on animals being cloned. SWISS VOTE FOR COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE Ir Switzerland, popular pressure has decreed that state-backed health insurance must pay for five types of "complementary medicine" between now and 2017, pending an investigation into their efficacy. In 2009, 67 per cent of the Swiss electorate voted, under the country's system of deciding issues by referendum, for five complementary herapies to be covered by health insurance. They are homoeopathy, erbal and traditional Chinese reatments, neural therapy and anthroposophic medicine. In 2017, an evaluation based on a report on existing studies of the echniques will be prepared by Swiss complementary practitioners and then reviewed by an independent body. Source: New Scientist, 26 January 2on, http://tinyurl.com/62zy3a8) ANIMAL DEATH TOLL ENDS CLONING TRIALS nacceptable death rates of laboratory animals have forced —— TURNED INA SILVER LINING Ee —_" an 6 * NEXUS APRIL - MAY 2011 ———— www.nexusmagazine.com