The consumer of today places increased importance on food safety, environmental and health issues and quality, hence some are willing to purchase organic meat. Evaluation models used in previous organic food research have identified variables such as health consciousness, environmental concern, animal welfare and income as important determinants of organic food choice. The objective of this research was to examine Irish consumer perceptions of organic meat. A questionnaire was completed by 250 respondents, which were representative of the Irish population. Three groups of consumers were identified. Respondents who purchased or had intention to purchase organic meat placed higher levels of importance on food safety when purchasing meat, compared to those with no intention to purchase organic meat. Furthermore, purchasers of organic meat were more concerned about their health than non-purchasers. Purchasers of organic meat also believed that organic meat was superior to conventional meat in terms of quality, safety, labelling, production methods and value. Availability and the price of organic meat were the key deterrents to the purchase of organic meat. Higher socio-economic groups were more willing to purchase organic meat. Increasing awareness of food safety and pollution issues are important determinants in the purchase of organic meat; but securing a consistent supply of organic meat is paramount to ensuring growth in this sector.

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There are few widely accepted treatments for male subfertility. Controlled trials are necessary to evaluate different subfertility treatments because pregnancies and spontaneous improvements in semen parameters occur without treatment. Properly randomized trials can find out whether pregnancy rates are higher or lower than expected after treatment. Quantitative meta-analysis improves precision where individual trials are not powerful enough to demonstrate moderate treatment effects. Only 174 published randomized treatment trials for male subfertility were found after extensive literature review, both by computerized search and hand searches of 41 journals. In 72 of the studies, pregnancy was an outcome measure and these are analysed and discussed. The quality of most trials is poor. Meta-analysis was possible on seven themes, but the results of this exercise appear to be unduly influenced by trials of poor quality. Few conventional treatments (i.e. those not involving assisted conception techniques) result in improved fertility rates.

Objectives To review the epidemiology of published randomised controlled trials in infertility treatment over the last 25 years, with special emphasis on the number and quality of trials. Design Computer literature review by MEDLINE backed up by a manual search of 41 journals. Each trial was classified according to the methodology described and quality criteria. The results were recorded in a computer database. Odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) were calculated where the data were sufficient. Subjects Couples suffering from primary or secondary infertility. The trials studied 33 761 patients overall. Setting Institute of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Leeds. Results Five hundred and one randomised trials in male and female infertility treatment were identified between 1966 and 1990. Pregnancy was an outcome in 291 (58%) and these were the subject of detailed analysis. Two hundred and twenty‐four (77%) and 67 (23%) ‘pregnancy trials’ were concerned, respectively, with female and male infertility. Four per cent of the trials were preceded by a sample size calculation, and the average sample size was 96 patients (range 5–933); 700 patients per group would be required to demonstrate plausible success rates for most treatments. The method of randomisation was unstated or pseudo‐randomised in 206 (71%) of trials where pregnancy was an outcome. Only 29 (5.8%) of studies were multicentre. The method of confirmation of pregnancy was omitted for 70% of papers. Cross‐over design was used in 103 (21%) of cases. Meta‐analysis is possible for selected topics such as the use of anti‐oestrogens in idiopathic oligospermia and unexplained female infertility. Eight cases of double reporting were identified. Conclusions Trials using randomised methodology were relatively few in comparison with other branches of medicine, although their use is important in the evaluation of treatment for infertility as treatment‐independent pregnancy is common. It was encouraging to note that an exponential increase in the use of this methodology occurred during the last three years, especially in association with assisted conception techniques, and meta‐analysis has become possible for selected topics. However, many trials suffer from an unrealistically small sample size, inappropriate use of cross‐over design or pseudo‐randomisation. The trend towards properly controlled studies should be encouraged but these studies should be of improved quality and organised on a multicentre or even international basis.

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