Australian parents lodge “wrongful birth” claim
After losing a case for damages for the birth of their severely disabled son based on a “wrongful life” claim, a Sydney couple has returned...
Gingrich proposes investigation of IVF clinics
Bioethics is playing a walk-on role in the drama of the Republican primaries. Newt Gingrich has expressed his opposition to abortion and embryonic stem cell...
French presidential candidate backs euthanasia
The left-wing candidate in the French presidential election has strongly endorsed the legalisation of euthanasia if he is elected. François Hollande, a Socialist, who will...
Do we need a morality pill?
Princeton bioethicist Peter Singer and a research assistant, Agata Sagan, proposed a “morality pill” in a column in the New York Times this week. They...
Should we scrap the dead donor rule?
Hi there, Our lead stories this week deal with donation after cardiac death. Frankly, I find this a bit perplexing, as there are several schools...
No conscience exemption for contraceptive coverage, says Obama Administration
Church-affiliated institutions must cover free contraception for their employees, the Obama administration has announced. As a concession to outraged religious groups,Church-affiliated institutions must cover free...
At last, some good news for embryonic stem cells
In the first published results from a clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), 2 legally blind patients with macular degeneration who had been...
UK to consider three-parent IVF
The controversial practice known as “three-parent IVF” has drawn one step closer in the UK with the government’s announcement of public consultation into its acceptability....
Leading UK surgeons call for ban on cosmetic surgery advertising
Leading plastic surgeons in the UK have responded to the current crisis in cosmetic surgery by calling for a ban on advertisements for all types...
Hacking scandal executive has daughter via surrogate
Former News International CEO Rebekah Brooks and her husband have become parents through surrogacy.Former News International CEO Rebekah Brooks and her husband have become parents...
Research fraud troubles UK scientists
“Dishonesty is common and institutionalized in medicine and medical research,” says a UK cardiologist, Peter Wilsmhurst, who has spent years trying to expose research misconduct...
European assembly slams euthanasia
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has given a big boost to opponents of legalised euthanasia. This body, which (somewhat confusingly) is...