RISULTATI RICERCA

Multiple experimental evidence now indicates that several traits of human personality, among which temperament, social behavior, sexual preference and drug addiction are, in great part, inherited. Molecular genetics is moving to define which genetic variations are responsible for these traits and to precisely define their causative role. The patent genetic component of our behavior and our personal choices has inevitable ethical, moral and social consequences.

L’obiettivo di questo articolo è di analizzare il modello di sviluppo locale del Québec, un vasto territorio, poco densamente abitato del Canada. Un’attenzione particolare sarà dedicata agli attori principali che hanno contribuito a definire questo modello ed in particolare alle relazioni, anche di potere, che si strutturano tra questi attori a livello nazionale e locale (Stato, mercato, società civile, settore associativo ed economia sociale, istanze politiche regionali e governo provinciale etc.). Nel percorrere le sue evoluzioni - relative ai concetti e alle pratiche - ci concentreremo anche sulle riforme recentemente introdotte dal governo provinciale, che rischiano di influenzare negativamente la capacità di azione e di iniziativa a livello locale: in termini di risorse disponibili (austerità) ma più in generale, anche per quanto riguarda la democrazia e la partecipazione. Queste riflessioni saranno alimentate da esempi tratti da nostre ricerche empiriche, effettuate in Québec, in ambito urbano e rurale.

Keynes introduced the notion of effective demand in the 1933 draft of his General Theory to single out the difference between expected sale proceeds and variable production costs as the factor determining output fluctuations. He subsequently moved towards a different definition of 'effective demand' emphasizing the absolute size of expected sale proceeds rather than their excess over variable costs. In our work we argue that this lexical shift reflects Keynes’ movement towards a different analytical purpose rather than a substantial change of view on the forces determining the scale of output as a whole. The notion of effective demand adopted in 1933, while perfectly fitted to the purpose Keynes was presumably pursuing at that time, that is to compare the working of "co-operative" and "entrepreneur" economies, was unnecessarily complex for the analysis of the real (capitalistic) economy on which Keynes focussed his attention in the final draft of the General Theory. JEL Classification: B31, E12

The completion of the Human Genome Project marked the beginning of a new era, the era of the Genome, highlighting a new understanding of human biology. The advances in genetics have raised concerns of potential discrimination against persons in various sectors - social, working, insurance - on the basis of our genetic make-up. In many countries insurers are not allowed to process any type of genetic data and regulations do not make a distinction between the various types of genetic tests. This situation may seriously jeopardise insurance companies as it can lead to adverse selection, causing a significant information unbalance in favour of insureds. Genetic tests will surely be among the most important diagnostic tools in clinical practice. It will be impossible to leave out these tests by way of legal provisions, forcing insurers to ignore such breakthrough in medical science. This is the future of medicine. Thanks to medical progress, insurers have always been able to extend insurability, reducing significantly the cost of covers. Insurance companies are always focused on customer satisfaction in compliance with any necessary and sound technical standards.

Since the early days of gene therapy, both the scientific community and the public have perceived the ethical challenges intrinsic to this discipline. First, the technology exploited by gene therapy is still experimental and burdened by important safety issues. Second, in several instances gene therapy aims at stably modifying the genetic characteristics of individuals. Third, the same modifications could in principle be applied also to embryos, foetuses or germ cells. Finally, while gene therapy applications are generally accepted for therapeutic purposes, the same gene transfer technologies could also be exploited to improve the aesthetic appearance, or the physical and intellectual performance of people. The definition of suitable guidelines for a controlled, ethically accepted translation of gene therapy to the clinics remains a major challenge for the near future.

The pace of discovery in human genetics has increased exponentially over the last thirty years. We have witnessed the completion of the Human Genome Project, the identification of hundreds of disease-causing genes, and the dawn of genomic medicine (clinical care based on genomic information). The reduction of DNA sequencing costs, thanks to so-called "next generation sequencing" technologies, is ushering in an era of "personal genomes, but the scientific as well as ethical challenges ahead are countless. Here we provide an overview discussing the classification of genetic tests, informed consent procedures in the context of genetic counselling, and specific ethical issues raised by the implementation of new DNA sequencing technologies.

The recent developments in genetics have made new methods of modification available that enable a hitherto inconceivable degree of control over man’s inner na-ture to be exercised. The suitability of the use of these methods and the manners in which they are used, especially in the framework of human reproduction, raise an ethical and moral question. This article starts from the liberal assumption that the only reason for restricting personal freedom, and thus the freedom to access these new methods, by imposing prohibitions and limitations is to prevent unacceptable harm. It then considers the pros and cons, both direct and indirect, that may derive from the use of these new methods, which could rely on the arguments that lead to the legislative regulation of the field. Lastly, it offers some opinions, based on a liberal-social democratic conception of jus-tice, about the directives that are intended to act as guidelines for the legislative regu-lation of access to new methods of genetic engineering.

The aim of the present study is to underline and syntetize a possible consumer be-haviour and willingness to pay towards a particular type of genitally modified food linked to specific indications on the label about the implementation of corpo-rate social responsibility initiatives by manufacturing companies. Through a quan-titative model on a sample of hundreds Italian families, it was possible to consider possible consumers’ preferences regarding that consumption through a choice ex-periment and to verify the drivers of that purchase and preference heterogeneity across consumers’ choice, and the willingness to pay, for the products with those features. Indications obtained from the relationships between the variables ana-lyzed also form a topic for future studies and useful for companies’ strategies.