Some years ago sociologists of the functionalist school formulated an explanation of the impact of industrial technology on the modern family. Although that explanation was not empirically verified, it has become almost universally accepted.1 Despite some differences in emphasis, the basic tenets of the traditional interpretation can be roughly summarized as follows: Before industrialization the family was the basic social unit. Most families were rural, large, and self-sustaining; they produced and processed almost everything that was needed for their own support and for trading in the marketplace, while at the same time perform-DR. COWAN, associate professor of history at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, is currently engaged in further research on the development of household technology and its impact upon women. This paper is based upon a presentation by Dr. Cowan at SHOT's 1973 annual meeting in San Francisco. 'For some classic statements of the standard view, see W. F. Ogburn and M.

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Many social scientists and bioethicists have argued that genetic screening is a new form of eugenics. Examination of the development of the quasi-mandated screening program for beta-thalassemia in the Republic of Cyprus (1970-1984) demonstrates that there is nothing eugenic about modern genetic screening practices. The Cypriot screening program involves mandated premarital carrier screening, voluntary prenatal diagnosis (originally through fetoscopy, now through CVS), and voluntary termination of afflicted pregnancies-all at public expense. In the Republic of Cyprus, the mandating agency for genetic screening is the established church, so this examination also demonstrates that religious authorities with profound objections to abortion can balance that moral precept against others, such as the imperative to reduce suffering that sometimes conflict with it.

Psychological factors are the most important influence on men's uptake of DRE, whereas external factors, including partner's involvement, influence PSA uptake. If prostate cancer screening is ultimately shown to be efficacious for men with a family history of prostate cancer, screening uptake will be maximized in this target group by enlisting the support of partners.