Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2001 12:45:13 +0000
Subject: Re: Ethics as a Figure of Nihilism


Hugh,

Yes...  

regards

steve

hbone wrote:

>Steve/All,
>
>Did Lyotard or any of the others you name say "all communities are inoperative"?
>
>regards,
>
>Hugh
>
>````````````````````````````````
>
>  Steve wrote,
>
>
>
>  Hugh
>
>  I am interested in the Lyotard paragraph because it is a nice summation of precisely the point of struggle I have around this issue. It is not clear that the ethical positions referred to. which I understand as referring to Lyotard, Levinas and so on - are relevant to the notion of significant others. This is because all communities are inoperative - it is not clear how ethics can help inform us how to get beyond our subordination to social and political divisions and techno-scienctific domination. 
>
>  (Most of the time I'd probably say that the utilitarian ethics of peter singer are more usefully political than Levinas...)
>
>  Ethics as used in political and religious circles - are of course used simply to justify positions...
>
>  regards
>
>  steve
>
>  hbone wrote:
>
>
>
>      All,
>
>      Up to this point I've been unable to find anything of interest in this discussion,  
>      have nothing to offer, yet wonder why.
>
>      Ethics as national policy seems an oxymoron.  Sacrificial death is not merely  the motif of suicide bombers, and the origin of Christianity, it is central to the concept of nation-statehood.
>
>      When Lyotard and others speak of justice and the social bond, they presuppose a continuity of personal relationships and institutional support for those relationships 
>      as they affect significant others, parents and children, extended families, tribes, communities.  Ethics are relevant.
>
>      The concept of the nation-state presupposes personal relationships are subordinate to the nations's interests.  Citizens are, from time to time,obliged to fight and die for the state to preserve its interests.  
>
>      A state's relation to other states is fFrom - Sun Nov 11 12:40:02 2001
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>Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 23:45:16 -0500 (EST)
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>From: promed-digest-Owner-AT-promed.isid.harvard.edu (ProMED Digest)
>To: promed-digest-AT-promedmail.org
>Subject: PRO> ProMED Digest V2001 #282
>Sender: owner-promed-AT-promed.isid.harvard.edu
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>
>ProMED Digest        Friday, November 9 2001        Volume 2001 : Number 282
>
>
>
>In this issue:
> 
>        PRO> Calendar 2001 (27)
>        PRO/AH> Obituary: Margaretha Isaacson
>        PRO/PL> Announcements (2001) (32)
>        PRO/AH> Calendar 2001 (28)
>        PRO/EDR> Unexplained dialysis deaths - multicountry (03)
>        PRO/PL> Tomato spotted wilt disease, tomato - Kenya
>        PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax, human - USA (30)
>
>See the end of the digest for information on how to retrieve back issues.
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 23:03:10 -0500 (EST)
>From: ProMED-mail <promed-AT-promed.isid.harvard.edu>
>Subject: PRO> Calendar 2001 (27)
>
>CALENDAR 2001 (27)
>*********************
>A ProMED-mail post
><http://www.promedmail.org>
>ProMED-mail is a program of the
>International Society for Infectious Diseases
><http://www.isid.org>
>
>Date: 8 Nov 2001
>From: Ildefonso Fernandez-Salas <ifernand-AT-ccr.dsi.uanl.mx>
>
>
>Subject: 2nd Annual Meeting of the Mexican Society of Tropical Medicine
>Dates of course: 29-31 May, 2002
>Location: Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. Mexico
>Venue: Radisson Ancira Hotel
>
>For further information: <http://ruiz.biomedicas.unam.mx/smmt.html> and 
>poster: <http://www.uanl.mx/eventos/smmt/>
>
>We look forward to seeing you in Monterrey, the City of Mountains in 
>Northeast Mexico.
>
>- -- 
>Ildefonso Fernandez-Salas
>President, Mexican Society of Tropical Medicine
><ifernand-AT-ccr.dsi.uanl.mx>
>....................................chc/pg/ds
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 09:07:59 -0500 (EST)
>From: ProMED-mail <promed-AT-promed.isid.harvard.edu>
>Subject: PRO/AH> Obituary: Margaretha Isaacson
>
>OBITUARY: MARGARETHA ISAACSON
>********************************
>A ProMED-mail post
><http://www.promedmail.org>
>ProMED-mail is a program of the
>International Society for Infectious Diseases
><http://www.isid.org>
>
>Date: 8 Nov 2001
>From: Steve Toovey <toovey-AT-travelclinic.co.za>
>
>
>Margaretha Isaacson died recently in Johannesburg, after a relatively short 
>illness. Emeritus professor in medicine at the University of the 
>Witwatersrand in South Africa, she was renowned internationally for her 
>contributions to medical science, which included work on possibly Africa's 
>fiercest disease, Ebola.
>
>Africa's viral hemorrhagic fevers were in fact a source of fascination for 
>Margaretha Isaacson, a fact attested to by her very last scientific 
>publication, which dealt with the risk of viral hemorrhagic fever in 
>travellers.
>
>In recent years the World Health Organization drew upon her expertise, 
>enlisting her as a consultant in the now highly topical field of biological 
>warfare.
>
>I last saw Margaretha Isaacson personally a month or 2 ago in her study at 
>home, a room packed full of material relating to infectious diseases; these 
>included pictures of her experiences while handling both Ebola and smallpox 
>outbreaks in remote parts of Africa. It was clear from just a cursory 
>viewing of her bookshelves that her knowledge of tropical and infectious 
>diseases encompassed a breadth and depth that few could match. Add to this 
>her vast clinical experience and her extensive list of publications, and it 
>is clear that Africa and the world's other continents are the poorer for 
>her passing.
>
>However, there was much more to Margaretha Isaacson than her scientific and 
>medical accomplishments, impressive as these were. Few will know that she 
>suffered internment as a child during the Nazi occupation of the 
>Netherlands, her country of birth. Few will know either that she had to 
>overcome other personal tragedies, including the loss of a well-loved 
>husband in early adult life.
>
>Despite a personal history that would have crushed most, she rose to become 
>an internationally renowned scientist, clinician, and teacher. She will be 
>remembered by many as an outstanding teacher, equipped with devastating 
>intellect, sharp humor, and a healthy disregard for authority. I was 
>fortunate to have been her student.
>
>- -- 
>Dr Stephen Toovey
>SAA-Netcare Travel Clinics
>American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene certified in
>Clinical Tropical Medicine and Travellers' Health,
>Aviation Medical Examiner
>P O Box 786692
>Sandton 2146
>South Africa
>Fax: +27-11-883-6152
><toovey-AT-travelclinic.co.za>
><http://www.travelclinic.co.za>
><http://www.malaria.co.za>
>...................jw/pg/ds
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 09:12:55 -0500 (EST)
>From: ProMED-mail <promed-AT-promed.isid.harvard.edu>
>Subject: PRO/PL> Announcements (2001) (32)
>
>ANNOUNCEMENTS 2001 (32)
>**************************
>A ProMED-mail post
><http://www.promedmail.org>
>ProMED-mail is a program of the
>International Society for Infectious Diseases
><http://www.isid.org>
>
>Date: 5 Nov 2001
>From: Woodward D. Bailey, Ph.D. <Woodward.D.Bailey-AT-aphis.usda.gov>
>Subject: North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) website
>
>
>The website of the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) 
>offers full pest alerts and brief news stories on plant pest emergences of 
>interest to the combined phytosanitary community of Canada, the US, and 
>Mexico. Its scope encompasses arthropods, pathogens, nematodes, mollusks, 
>and weeds. NAPPO regularly scans ProMED notices for consideration, but 
>utilizes numerous other references and networks as well. The website is 
>anticipated to eventually expand as a NAPPO pest notification tool, 
>analogous to the EPPO reporting service. You are welcome to consider our 
>postings as another resource. A subscriber notification service is available.
>
>- -- 
>Woodward D. Bailey, Ph.D.
>Entomologist
>USDA-APHIS-PPQ
>Center for Plant Health Science and Technology
>Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory
>1017 Main Campus Drive Ste 2500
>Raleigh, NC 27606-5202
>(919) 513-1354
>fax: (919) 513-1995
><Woodward.D.Bailey-AT-aphis.usda.gov>
><http://www.pestalert.org/>
>.........................dh/pg/ds
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 11:21:21 -0500 (EST)
>From: ProMED-mail <promed-AT-promed.isid.harvard.edu>
>Subject: PRO/AH> Calendar 2001 (28)
>
>CALENDAR 2001 (28)
>*********************
>A ProMED-mail post
><http://www.promedmail.org>
>ProMED-mail is a program of the
>International Society for Infectious Diseases
><http://www.isid.org>
>
>Date: 8 Nov 2001
>From: Ashley Robinson <ashleyrobinson-AT-hotmail.com>
>
>
>Electronic conference on veterinary public health and zoonoses control in 
>developing countries
>- ---------------------------------------------------------------
>Sponsored by Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome in collaboration 
>with the World Health Organization in Geneva and the World Organization for 
>Animal Health in Paris
>
>This conference is designed to provide an open forum for developing and 
>reviving Veterinary Public Health (VPH) services in developing countries. 
>In part it arose following a meeting held in Italy in 1999, and convened by 
>WHO of invited experts from both industrialized and developing countries to 
>consider the contributions on a global basis that VPH programs could make 
>towards improving human health
>
>Essentially this conference provides a forum for the exchange of 
>information, ideas, or opinions in those areas where veterinary science can 
>or should be making a greater contribution to human health and welfare in 
>developing countries.
>
>The conference website includes a background paper based on summary of the 
>1999 WHO meeting together with a series of 20 discussion topics arising 
>from recommendations made at the meeting. Also, selected links to some 
>zoonoses are included.
>
>The conference is multidisciplinary. Contributions are therefore welcome 
>from all health professionals, policy makers, governmental and 
>non-governmental organizations, academics and researchers, and also the 
>general public.
>
>The conference is in English and commences on 12 Nov 2001.
>
>To view the conference website: 
><http://www.fao.org/ag/aga/agah/VPHeconf/Home.htm>
>
>To subscribe to the conference:
>Send an E-mail message to: <mailserv-AT-mailserv.fao.org> leaving the subject 
>blank and entering the following one line message: subscribe VPH-L
>
>- --
>Dr Ashley Robinson,B.V.Sc., M.P.H., Ph.D.
>Associate Dean (Preclinical Programs)
>College of Veterinary Medicine
>Western University of Health Sciences
>309 E. Second St/College Plaza,
>Pomona, California. 91766-1854
>U.S.A.
>Phone: (909)469-5528
>Fax: (909)469-5357
><arobinson-AT-westernu.edu>
>  ...................................ds
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 22:29:50 -0500 (EST)
>From: ProMED-mail <promed-AT-promed.isid.harvard.edu>
>Subject: PRO/EDR> Unexplained dialysis deaths - multicountry (03)
>
>UNEXPLAINED DIALYSIS DEATHS - MULTICOUNTRY (03)
>***************************************
>A ProMED-mail post
><http://www.promedmail.org>
>ProMED-mail is a program of the
>International Society for Infectious Diseases
><http://www.isid.org>
>
>[see also:
>Unexplained dialysis deaths - Croatia & Spain 20011015.2528
>Unexplained dialysis deaths - Croatia & Spain (02) 20011016.2544
>Unexplained dialysis deaths - Croatia, Spain, USA 20011025.2632
>Unexplained dialysis deaths - multicountry 20011103.2727
>Unexplained dialysis deaths - multicountry (02) 20011107.2757]
>
>Date: 7 Nov. 2001
>From: ProMED-mail <promed-AT-promedmail.org>
>Source: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) USA
><http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/dialyzers110701.html>
>
>
>The FDA [U.S. Food & Drug Administration] is investigating reports of over 
>50 patient deaths worldwide, including four in the United States, that may 
>have been caused by certain dialyzers made by Baxter Healthcare 
>Corporation, Deerfield, Ill.
>
>Baxter voluntarily recalled the dialyzers in mid-October after reports of 
>deaths associated with its product in kidney dialysis patients in Spain, 
>Croatia, Italy, Germany, Taiwan, Colombia and the U.S. The U.S. deaths 
>occurred at dialysis facilities in Austin, Tex., and Kearney, Neb. Most of 
>the dialysis patients who died experienced shortness of breath, chest 
>tightness, cardiac arrest or stroke symptoms within hours of being dialyzed.
>
>FDA has worked closely with Baxter and with regulatory agencies abroad to 
>identify the problems quickly, and protect public health by recalling the 
>dialyzers.
>
>Preliminary tests have led Baxter to conclude that a 
>perfluorohydrocarbon-based performance fluid used in a manufacturing step 
>may have played a role in the deaths of these patients. Confirmatory tests 
>are underway. Baxter reports that it has permanently ceased manufacturing 
>these dialyzers. No dialyzer shortage is anticipated as a result of 
>Baxter's decision.
>
>The following dialyzers--labeled either Althane or Baxter--were recalled:
>- - Series A11, A15, A18 and A22
>- - Series AF150, AF180 and AF220
>- - Series AX1500 and AX2200
>
>The products were distributed from January 1998 to 15 Oct 2001 to dialysis 
>facilities in more than 50 countries. The first reported deaths occurred in 
>Spain in mid-August.
>
>In mid-October, Baxter notified all of its customers to stop using these 
>dialyzers immediately and return any inventory. FDA is continuing to work 
>with Baxter to ensure the recall is effective.
>
>If you would like to contact Baxter you can either call the Center For One 
>Baxter at 1-800-422-9837 or 847-948-4770 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. 
>to 5:00 p.m. CST)
>
>- --
>ProMED-mail
><promed-AT-promedmail.org>
>
>[This is the first official report of the investigation into these 
>unexplained dialysis related deaths. Prior reports were newswire articles 
>on the deaths with mention of the possibility of an association with a 
>perfluorohydrocarbon-based performance fluid used in the manufacturing 
>process. The FDA report mentions that these dialysis filters were 
>distributed from January 1998 through the date of recall 15 Oct 2001. If 
>these filters have been on the market and in use since January 1998, one 
>wonders what may have occurred to lead to a problem that is first observed 
>in August 2001, approximately 42 months after distribution of the product 
>began. Further information on the findings of this investigation will be 
>appreciated. - Mod.MPP]
>.................................................................ds/mpp/ds
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 23:34:54 -0500 (EST)
>From: ProMED-mail <promed-AT-promed.isid.harvard.edu>
>Subject: PRO/PL> Tomato spotted wilt disease, tomato - Kenya
>
>TOMATO SPOTTED WILT DISEASE, TOMATO - KENYA
>***********************************************
>A ProMED-mail post
><http://www.promedmail.org>
>ProMED-mail is a program of the
>International Society for Infectious Diseases
><http://www.isid.org>
>
>[see also:
>Tomato viruses - Tunisia 20010926.2349
>2000
>- -----
>Bud necrosis virus, peanuts - India (Andhra Pradesh) 20000926.1663
>Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus, crops - USA (Georgia) 20000617.0989
>Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus - Europe 20000302.0286
>Tospovirus, zucchini, courgette & cucumber - Brazil 20000129.0145
>Tospoviruses - Argentina 20000213.0197]
>
>Date: 7 Nov 2001
>From: Dick Hamilton <rihamilto-AT-shaw.ca>
>Source: American Phytopathological Society, PLANT DISEASE [edited]
>
>
>Outbreak of Tomato spotted wilt virus in Tomato in Kenya
>- ----------------------------------------------------------
>A. W. Wangai, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Njoro, Kenya; B. 
>Mandal and H. R. Pappu, Department of Plant Pathology, University of 
>Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton 31793; and S. Kilonzo, 
>Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Njoro, Kenya. Plant Dis. 
>85:1123, 2001; published on-line as D-2001-0823-01N, 2001. Accepted for 
>publication 3 Aug 2001.
>
>Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) of the genus Tospovirus, family 
>Bunyaviridae (1), causes an economically important virus disease in tomato 
>in several parts of the world. The virus has a wide host range that 
>includes numerous crops and weeds and is transmitted by at least 7 species 
>of thrips.
>
>Tomato crops in the Subukia, Bahati, and Kabazi areas of the Nakuru 
>District in Kenya were affected by a disease suggestive of TSWV infection 
>during the November 1999 to March 2000 tomato-growing season. Farmers 
>reported up to 80% losses of their potential yields.
>
>Characteristic symptoms were noticed on fruits, especially when ... green. 
>Distinct concentric rings on fruits, which later turned into brown, [and] 
>uneven ripening, were the most visible symptoms. Foliage did not develop 
>pronounced symptoms, but mild bronzing was observed in a few cultivars. ... 
>Foliage senesced prematurely, starting with older leaves. Foliar symptoms 
>were mistaken for blight infection, and as a result, excessive fungicides 
>were applied that failed to manage the disease.
>
>... Tomato leaf samples collected from the fields were tested initially 
>with a TSWV test kit (HortiTech, Horticulture Research International, 
>Wellesbourne, UK), and the results were confirmed by double-antibody 
>sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with antibodies from Agdia Inc. 
>(Elkhart, IN).
>
>Further molecular characterization was done using ... RT-PCR. Total RNA was 
>extracted from symptomatic leaves of tomato cv. Money Maker using the 
>RNeasy mini kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). Using primers 5' TTAAGC 
>AAGTTCTGTGAG 3' and 5' ATGTCTAAGGTTAAGCTC 3' specific to the nucleoprotein 
>(N) gene of TSWV, the N gene was amplified by RT-PCR (2).
>
>[The expected] 777-bp product ... was obtained from symptomatic plants, 
>whereas no amplification was obtained from noninfected tomato. The PCR 
>product was cloned into pGEM-T Easy Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced. A 
>search of GenBank revealed a sequence identity of 95 to 99% with the N 
>genes of known TSWV isolates.
>
>To our knowledge, this is the first report TSWV infection of tomato in 
>Kenya. Considering its wide host range, future surveys should be directed 
>toward estimating its incidence in tomato and other TSWV-susceptible crops, 
>such as Irish potatoes, pepper, peanut (groundnut), beans, and a wide 
>variety of ornamental cut flowers in Kenya.
>
>References:
>(1) J. W. Moyer. Tospoviruses (Bunyaviridae). Pages 1803-1807 in: 
>Encyclopedia of Virology. A. Granoff and R. G. Webster, eds. Academic 
>Press, San Diego, CA, 1999.
>(2) Jain
>