The British Medical Association(BMA)guidance on non-therapeutic circumcision(NTMC)of male children is limited to ethical,legal and religious issues.Here we evaluate criticisms of the BMA’s guidance by Lempert et al.While their arguments promoting autonomy and consent might be superficially appealing,their claim of high procedural risks and negligible benefits seem one-sided and contrast with high quality evidence of low risk and lifelong benefits.Extensive literature reviews by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in developing evidence-based policies,as well as risk-benefit analyses,have found that the medical benefits of infant NTMC greatly exceed the risks,and there is no reduction in sexual function and pleasure.The BMA’s failure to consider the medical benefits of early childhood NTMC may partly explain why this prophylactic intervention is discouraged in the United Kingdom.The consequence is higher prevalence of preventable infections,adverse medical conditions,suffering and net costs to the UK’s National Health Service for treatment of these.Many of the issues and contradictions in the BMA guidance identified by Lempert et al stem from the BMA’s guidance not being sufficiently evidence-based.Indeed,that document called for a review by others of the medical issues surrounding NTMC.While societal factors apply,ultimately,NTMC can only be justified rationally on scientific,evidence-based grounds.Parents are entitled to an accurate presentation of the medical evidence so that they can make an informed decision.Their decision either for or against NTMC should then be respected.
Stephen MoretonGuy CoxMark SheldonStefan A BailisJeffrey D KlausnerBrian J Morris
本研究以“seem to V”和“appear to V”这两个近义链接动词构式为例,借助COCA、COHA语料库及R软件,通过基于类符的语义向量空间模型、聚类分析和对应分析三种可视化手段,对二者在美式英语中的语义变化情况进行定量研究。结果表明:这两个构式中搭配词的语义倾向在1900年后均呈现出明显的变化,从而使节点词具有明确的语义分工——seem to多与“认知–施事类”动词连用,表示语言使用者对客观发生事件的主观情感态度,而appear to则主要表现为写实的用法,用于描述可直接感知的物质世界中发生的事件或是客观实体的性质和状态,并逐渐倾向于与静态动词连用。
Of all forms of research that can be accepted as valuable investigations,bibliometrics is often thought to be one of the most accessible to the widest number of researchers.Qualitative methods like interviewing and ethnography require extensive training,time,and often need ethical approval.Even basic quantitative methods like using questionnaires require significant drafting,mastery of language,and ethical review.Bibliometrics,being based on the analysis of publicly-available bibliographic data,does not have these requirements.Unlike with these other research approaches,where the top software(e.g.,SPSS,NVIVO)are expensive for researchers to afford.