title: `Human clones talk about their lives': Media representations of assisted reproductive and biogenetic technologies

authors: Michelle, Carolyn

subjects: anecdotal personalization

abstract: This article examines New Zealand print media representations of assisted reproductive and related biogenetic technologies, conceptualized as the products of a concordance of interest between media workers and reproductive specialists, biogenetic scientists and consumers. Such concordance is evident in the predominant use of media frames of anecdotal personalization and technoboosterism, which typically amplify the voices of proponents of emerging technologies while marginalizing and delegitimizing counterdiscourses. Thus, the perspectives of consumers and 'expert' sources are privileged at the expense of a more balanced assessment of the value and social, ethical, legal and health implications of assisted reproductive and related biogenetic technologies. Source dependence also detracts from much-needed recognition of the professional and financial interests at stake in the growing privatization and commercialization of these technologies, and in the local context potentially undermines journalistic independence and integrity.

text: `Human clones talk about their lives': Media representations of assisted reproductive and biogenetic technologies This article examines New Zealand print media representations of assisted reproductive and related biogenetic technologies, conceptualized as the products of a concordance of interest between media workers and reproductive specialists, biogenetic scientists and consumers. Such concordance is evident in the predominant use of media frames of anecdotal personalization and technoboosterism, which typically amplify the voices of proponents of emerging technologies while marginalizing and delegitimizing counterdiscourses. Thus, the perspectives of consumers and 'expert' sources are privileged at the expense of a more balanced assessment of the value and social, ethical, legal and health implications of assisted reproductive and related biogenetic technologies. Source dependence also detracts from much-needed recognition of the professional and financial interests at stake in the growing privatization and commercialization of these technologies, and in the local context potentially undermines journalistic independence and integrity.

year: 2007-07-01

title: Terrestrial ecosystems, increased solar ultraviolet radiation and interactions with other climatic change factors

authors: Caldwell, Martyn M.

subjects: terrestrial ecosystem

abstract: Based on research to date, we can state some expectations about terrestrial ecosystem response as several elements of global climate change develop in coming decades. Higher plant species will vary considerably in their response to elevated UV-B radiation, but the most common general effects are reductions in height of plants, decreased shoot mass if ozone reduction is severe, increased quantities of some phenolics in plant tissues and, perhaps, reductions in foliage area. In some cases, the common growth responses may be lessened by increasing CO2 concentrations. However, changes in chemistry of plant tissues will generally not be reversed by elevated CO2. Among other things, changes in plant tissue chemistry induced by enhanced UV-B may reduce consumption of plant tissues by insects and other herbivores, although occasionally consumption may be increased. Pathogen attack on plants may be increased or decreased as a consequence of elevated UV-B, in combination with other climatic changes. This may be affected both by alterations in plant chemistry and direct damage to some pathogens. Water limitation may decrease the sensitivity of some agricultural plants to UV-B, but for vegetation in other habitats, this may not apply. With global warming, the repair of some types of UV damage may be improved, but several other interactions between warming and enhanced UV-B may occur. For example, even though warming may lead to fewer killing frosts, with enhanced UV-B and elevated CO2 levels, some plant species may have increased sensitivity to frost damage.

text: Terrestrial ecosystems, increased solar ultraviolet radiation and interactions with other climatic change factors Based on research to date, we can state some expectations about terrestrial ecosystem response as several elements of global climate change develop in coming decades. Higher plant species will vary considerably in their response to elevated UV-B radiation, but the most common general effects are reductions in height of plants, decreased shoot mass if ozone reduction is severe, increased quantities of some phenolics in plant tissues and, perhaps, reductions in foliage area. In some cases, the common growth responses may be lessened by increasing CO2 concentrations. However, changes in chemistry of plant tissues will generally not be reversed by elevated CO2. Among other things, changes in plant tissue chemistry induced by enhanced UV-B may reduce consumption of plant tissues by insects and other herbivores, although occasionally consumption may be increased. Pathogen attack on plants may be increased or decreased as a consequence of elevated UV-B, in combination with other climatic changes. This may be affected both by alterations in plant chemistry and direct damage to some pathogens. Water limitation may decrease the sensitivity of some agricultural plants to UV-B, but for vegetation in other habitats, this may not apply. With global warming, the repair of some types of UV damage may be improved, but several other interactions between warming and enhanced UV-B may occur. For example, even though warming may lead to fewer killing frosts, with enhanced UV-B and elevated CO2 levels, some plant species may have increased sensitivity to frost damage.

year: 2007

title: Iwi interests and the RMA: An evaluation of the quality of first generation council plans

authors: Jefferies, Richard

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: This working paper analyses the processes adopted by councils for involving hapū
/iwi in plan implementation, including the resource consents process. Three topic issues were investigated to assess plan implementation — urban amenity,
storm water, and issues of importance to iwi. Questions were asked about the capacity of hapū/iwi to engage in the resource consent
process, which resource issues were of concern to them, their relationship with
council and consent applicants, and their perception of the consent process. Most resources listed in the questionnaire were of concern to hapū/iwi, with water
quality, wāhi tapu and heritage the most commonly cited. In conclusion, we found a general dissatisfaction on the part of hapū/iwi with
councils’ performance with respect to both Treaty relationships and consent
processing under the RMA. A further contributing factor to the poor relationships
found between hapū/iwi and councils, was the lack of clarity over the role of hapū and
iwi in resource management. In several districts, diverging responses from hapū/iwi
and councils to questions about level of understanding and commitment suggests there
is a need for more effective communication. These problems are compounded by the
generally low capacity of hapū/iwi to participate in resource consent processes. These findings suggest that there is much to be done to improve relationships and
behaviour of these key stakeholder groups in the plan implementation process if key
provisions in the RMA related to hapū/iwi interests are to be fulfilled. The differences
shown in reciprocal perceptions have serious implications for establishing a sound
working partnership between councils and hapū/iwi in their areas. Making clear these
discrepancies is a first step towards taking the measures needed for building a better
partnership. Further, the capacity of hapū/iwi to participate could be better utilised if
there was greater integration between regional and district councils on issues of
significance and processes for iwi involvement.

text: Iwi interests and the RMA: An evaluation of the quality of first generation council plans This working paper analyses the processes adopted by councils for involving hapū
/iwi in plan implementation, including the resource consents process. Three topic issues were investigated to assess plan implementation — urban amenity,
storm water, and issues of importance to iwi. Questions were asked about the capacity of hapū/iwi to engage in the resource consent
process, which resource issues were of concern to them, their relationship with
council and consent applicants, and their perception of the consent process. Most resources listed in the questionnaire were of concern to hapū/iwi, with water
quality, wāhi tapu and heritage the most commonly cited. In conclusion, we found a general dissatisfaction on the part of hapū/iwi with
councils’ performance with respect to both Treaty relationships and consent
processing under the RMA. A further contributing factor to the poor relationships
found between hapū/iwi and councils, was the lack of clarity over the role of hapū and
iwi in resource management. In several districts, diverging responses from hapū/iwi
and councils to questions about level of understanding and commitment suggests there
is a need for more effective communication. These problems are compounded by the
generally low capacity of hapū/iwi to participate in resource consent processes. These findings suggest that there is much to be done to improve relationships and
behaviour of these key stakeholder groups in the plan implementation process if key
provisions in the RMA related to hapū/iwi interests are to be fulfilled. The differences
shown in reciprocal perceptions have serious implications for establishing a sound
working partnership between councils and hapū/iwi in their areas. Making clear these
discrepancies is a first step towards taking the measures needed for building a better
partnership. Further, the capacity of hapū/iwi to participate could be better utilised if
there was greater integration between regional and district councils on issues of
significance and processes for iwi involvement.

year: 2002-10-31