That eminent utilitarian Mr Spock
Was he the world's most famous spokesman for the creed of Jeremy Bentham? Peter Singer is often described as the most influential philosopher alive. (This...
Religion and bioethics
Hi there, Even writing a short column like this one is a tough job. Those who agree with you expect more gold when the lode...
More research needed on the Pill-brain nexus
Why don't we know more about the neurological effects of the contraceptive Pill? If there is one request by patients which is universally spurned by...
Does religion have a role in bioethics?
The notion that religious convictions have no place in medicine or bioethics is widespread and growing. The notion that religious convictions have no place in...
Getting ahead in life
Head transplants are a familiar theme in B-grade sci fi films which lends itself to an infinitude of excruciating puns. Head transplants are a familiar...
US states tying psychiatrists’ hands over guns
The debate over psychiatrists’ confidentiality in treating people with mental illness has revived. After eight people were shot to death this week in rural Missouri,...
The noble lie
Hi there, I just came across an opinion piece in New Scientist by one of its feature editors, Michael Le Page. It’s not the sort...
Colombia may finally legalise euthanasia
The assisted suicide of American woman Brittany Maynard last year may have tipped Colombia into legalising euthanasia. The assisted suicide of American woman Brittany Maynard...
Professionalise surrogacy, say New Zealand academics
Two New Zealand academics have proposed that surrogacy become a profession like nursing or teaching which is fully integrated into the health system. Two New...
Paternity presumption threatens same-sex marriage
A legally-married lesbian couple in New Jersey are fighting requests for visitation rights from their two children’s biological fathers. Sheena and Tiara Yates ...
Disgraced researcher Hwang Woo-suk teams up with US scientist
One of the world’s leading stem cell scientists has entered a partnership with the disgraced Korean researcher Hwang Woo-suk. One of the world’s leading stem...
“My brother is the father of my son”
A Valentine’s Day story from the British press. Here’s a Valentine’s Day story from the British press. “My brother is the 'father' of my son”...