The ethical complexities of ageing
Two new themed editions of journals deal with the ethics of ageing. The “ethics of ageing” has become a pressing concern in recent years, with...
Managing miracle expectations in clinical medicine
What do you do when someone expects a medical miracle? Despite the increasingly atheistic nature of Western countries, many people still believe in miracles. In...
What do you do when a medical hero is also a villain?
Thomas Parran is now persona non grata. Former US Surgeon General Thomas Parran was best known for his work in championing a revolutionary public health...
A more inclusive view of personhood
“Personhood” is a concept that is of great relevance to a range of bioethics debates. These include embryo research, abortion, the withdrawal and withholding of...
Court rejects Alfie Evans appeal
Courts say Alfie Evans should not receive experimental treatment. Britain’s Court of Appeal has ruled that 23-month-old British infant Alfie Evans should not be taken...
New preservation technologies: an ethical solution to the organ shortage?
Many Western nations face dire shortages of vital organs for transplant. Some doctors have proposed controversial changes to increase the number of organs available. One...
Paying your respects to the digital dead
Ethicists say we need to respect the "digital remains" of the deceased. Every year, 1.7 million Facebook users pass away, leaving behind their personal profiles....
Emotional support animals: a waste of time?
Experts are sceptical of the health benefits of ESAs. It is not uncommon to come across an emotional support animal (ESA) in the US –...
Macron encourages French bishops to speak out on bioethics
Society needs to be reminded of the transcendent. In a speech on Monday that garnered both criticism and praise, French President Emmanuel Macron told a...
Tongue splitting, bodily harm, and human dignity
Is there something wrong with consensual tongue splitting? Contemporary cosmetic surgery has become a tool for realising bizarre personal fantasies. Sometimes it also leads to...
Are crisis pregnancy centres unethical?
A recent article in the AMA Journal of Ethics says "yes". A recent article in the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics has sparked debate...
When should we provide life sustaining care for premature babies?
A new article in Bioethics criticises the treatment policies of neonatal care units. A new article in Bioethics criticises policies in neonatal care units that...