Bioethics: real life or an “esoteric puzzle”?
Corruption is not a chapter heading in most bioethics textbooks. But a passionate article in a recent issue of the Journal of the Royal Society...
The missing link in the same-sex marriage debate
Hi there, The hottest debate in town at the moment is same-sex marriage. In itself, this is not really a bioethical issue, but it necessarily...
Are cognitive neuroenhancing drugs ethical? German ethicists say No
The near frontier of human enhancement is coffee on steroids: the drugs of the future that will make you smarter, sharper and quicker. This is...
UK to allow lesbian couples equal access to IVF
Same-sex couples will have the same access to IVF treatment as heterosexual couples under directives issued by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical...
Family of Indian surrogate gets some compensation for her death
The family of an Indian surrogate mother from Gujarat who died in the eighth month of her pregnancy (see last week's BioEdge) has been given...
A wish to die or a cry for help?
“He’s sick and tired of the pain and indignity and wants to die” is the most common reason for assisted suicide and euthanasia. However, a...
“Love is the drug”, from the Best Of Julian Savulescu
Two Oxford bioethicists have proposed a novel solution to the scourge of 50% divorce rates – use love drugs to keep the flame of love...
Germany seeks to increase organ supply
Germany has amended legislation to promote organ donation. After years of debate, people over 16 will be regularly asked by their health insurance company if...
When will the international surrogacy market be put under the microscope?
Hi there, From time to time, the death of a young person in the United States sparks an uproar, not just nationally, but internationally. When...
Do reproductive rights survive gender reassignment?
Another adventure in the Wild West of assisted reproduction, this time from Israel. An Israeli woman who is undergoing sex reassignment surgery wants to freeze...
South African activists begin euthanasia campaign
South African supporters of physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia launched a campaign for legalisation this week. South African supporters of physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia launched a...
70 assisted suicides in Washington state in 2011
The number of Washington state residents who died of physician-assisted suicide rose to 70 last year, up from 51 in 2010 and 36 in 2009,...