This essay provides an account of how to distinguish between health and pathology of trait tokens in medical theory. It proposes to distinguish between two health/pathology concepts—health/pathology pertaining to survival and health/pathology pertaining to reproduction. It defines measures for survival-efficiency and reproduction-efficiency of performances of physiological functions. It provides an account of how, using the efficiency measures, to draw the line between health and pathology. The account draws, but seeks to improve, on Christopher Boorse’s biostatistical theory. In relation to that (...) theory, the suggested account has the advantages that it defines efficiency and that it harmonizes with judgments in medical theory in cases of common diseases and “normal aging.” Furthermore, the essay argues against a competing idea of how to improve on the biostatistical theory, advocated by Peter Schwartz and Daniel Hausman. (shrink)

Non-pharmaceutical interventions, including social distancing, quarantine, and isolation, are a potentially attractive means to limit the transmission of a pandemic virus. Many of these interventions are directed at children given children’s disproportionate role in amplifying epidemics. The ethics of non-pharmaceutical interventions can be analyzed using Nancy Kass’ ethics framework for public health. Such an analysis highlights the limited data supporting these interventions’ effectiveness. It also suggests the framework itself needs to be expanded to consider harms other than constraints on liberty (...) and to consider affirmative programs to mitigate these broader harms. (shrink)

Cell therapy means treating diseases with the body's own cells. One of the cell types most in demand for therapeutic purposes is the pancreatic β‐cell. This is because diabetes is one of the major healthcare problems in the world. Diabetes can be treated by islet transplantation but the major limitation is the shortage of organ donors. To overcome the shortfall in donors, alternative sources of pancreatic β‐cells must be found. Potential sources include embryonic or adult stem cells or, from existing (...) β‐cells. There is now a startling new addition to this list of therapies: the pancreatic α‐cell. Thorel and colleagues recently showed that under circumstances of extreme pancreatic β‐cell loss, α‐cells may serve to replenish the insulin‐producing compartment. This conversion of α‐cells to β‐cells represents an example of transdifferentiation. Understanding the molecular basis for transdifferentiation may help to enhance the generation of β‐cells for the treatment of diabetes. (shrink)