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In the face of increasing public opposition to patents claiming property in gene sequences, is it right to deny the validity of patent applications that seem to have firm, if somewhat hypothetical, scientific basis? In this article we review the recent state of the law in Europe as it applies to gene patents in order to determine whether there is any hope for the modern heirs of Galilean innovation.

The normal expression pattern of the Wnt responsive homeobox gene Siamois is restricted to the dorso-vegetal region of the Xenopus embryo. Because the Wnt signaling pathway (via β-catenin) is active on the entire dorsal side of the early embryo, we have asked why Siamois expression is not seen in the dorsal ectoderm. Only Wnt signaling, via activation of β-catenin, can induce directly Siamois , and signaling via the SMAD1 (BMP2/4) or SMAD2 (activin/Vg-1) pathways cannot. We now directly show that the SMAD2 pathway can cooperate with the Wnt pathway to induce expression of Siamois much more strongly than the Wnt pathway alone, in normal embryos. We demonstrate the significance of this cooperation in normal embryos by blocking the SMAD2 signaling pathway with a dominant negative activin receptor. The activin dominant negative receptor blocks this cooperative effect and reduces the expression of Siamois by threefold in early embryos. Furthermore, we find that this cooperative relationship between the SMAD2 and Wnt pathways is reciprocal. Thus, in normal embryos, the Wnt pathway can enhance induction, by the SMAD 2 pathway, of the organizer genes Gsc and Chd but not the pan-mesodermal marker genes Xbra and Eomes . We conclude that the Wnt and SMAD2 signaling pathways cooperate to induce the expression of Spemann-organizer specific genes and so help to localize their spatial expression.

SUMMARY Populist development, as an alternative to large-scale capitalist development, is sometimes interpreted as a form of ‘transition to socialism’, or even as socialism itself. This article examines two areas, Newfoundland and Guyana, where populist strategies have been so presented and concludes that this interpretation is difficult to sustain. RESUMEN‘Populismo’ en Guyana y Newfoundland El desarrollo populista, como alternativa al desarrollo capitalista en gran escala, se interpreta a veces como una forma de ‘transicion al socialismo’ o incluso como socialismo propiamente tal. Este articulo examina dos areas, Newfoundland y Guyana, donde las estrategias populistas han sido presentadas de esa forma y concluye que esta interpretacion es dificil de sostener. SOMMAIRE‘Populisme’ en Guyane et Terre Neuve Le developpement populiste, en alternative au developpement capitaliste a grande echelle est parfois interprete comme une forme de ‘transition au socialisme’ ou meme comme du socialisme. Cet article examine deux regions, Terre Neuve et Guyane, ou les strategies populistes ont ete appliquees et conclut en estimant que cette interpretation est difficile a soutenir.