As examples cited of the questionable sterility practices, the inspection report describes a technician who was wearing a non-sterile gown and extending his arm over a vial tray containing open, exposed vials.

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In the past he has criticised previous attempts at a maths curriculum for non-mathematicians as "sterile" and prone to asking "questions that are purely mathematical, and extremely easy compared with A-level maths".

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Some evidence has emerged suggesting this could happen, though a breakthrough announced this month by a group of Canadian scientists may overcome the problem: they have developed a sort of agricultural contraceptive, in which GM plants that pollinate their non-GM relatives produce only sterile offspring.

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The standard would significantly expand the FAA's so-called "sterile cockpit rule, " which prohibits pilots from engaging in non-flight-related conversations during take-offs and landings.

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