Themes for Tuesday

Later I'll be writing about badgers (heroes or villains) and the Coroners Courts Reforms. Things to do first.
OK so it is now after 9 p. m.
1) Badgers: Heard this radio programme about cattle with TB. The farmers want to destroy the cuddly badger because they are certain that this animal causes TB in cows. When a cow reacts positive to TB they have to be destroyed, milk cannot be sold & no cattle can be moved. The UK tax payers must pay compensation. Now, the government want to reduce compensation so the farmers want to eradicate the badger to stop the TB. Easy solution? Bozarrely, studies have shown that when a cull of badgers occurs, TB incidence declines on those farms, but rises sharply in adjoining areas. Perhaps the badgers get wind of the cull and rush off taking the disease with them.
As usual the science (and scientists) don't give you clear answers. Will that stop farmers on a campaign of badger elimination - maybe not. A shame though to see another species driven to extinction. Would be good if science could give an accurate assessment about global warming.
2) Coroners. This is a work related issue. Coroners have been around for 600 years. However, they are too variable in their efficiency and judgements. The Shipman case (mass murder by doctor of his patients) was not detected by the current system of death certification and supervision by coroners courts. The current system is not very friendly to relatives. They often find that inquests take place a year or more after the death of their loved one. The manner of court proceedings does not really allow for investigation evidence to be tested properly - relatives are not usually represented by legal counsel. What is being proposed is an improvement. There could be second opinions about causes of death, the process will be more centred on relatives, Coroners must have legal qualifications, and they are to become full time and salaried rather than part-time and paid according to the work they do. There will also be a Chief Coroner as well. A step in the right direction.