Assyrian pre-nups
Several of our stories this week deal with end-of-life issues. For a bit of a change, how about an historical diversion? “And when Rachel saw...
We need a more comprehensive ethics of disorders of consciousness
We should avoid becoming biased by “consciousness-centrism”Disorders of consciousness like coma, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, and what is known as minimally conscious state, are among the...
Nitschke designs new euthanasia machine with detachable coffin
Australia’s best-known euthanasia activist, Dr Philip Nitschke, is back in the news with another machine for committing suicide, the Sarco capsule. The machine will allow...
NEJM debates repairing human germlines
How will the changes be monitored for generation after generation?With the rapid advance in gene-editing technology, the time has come to consider how to ethical...
Jehovah Witness woman in Quebec freely chose not to have transfusion and paid with her life
Coroner confirms that 27-year-old mother was within her rights Eloise Dupuis A woman was within her rights to refuse a blood transfusion even if...
Should Americans excuse FGM as a minority cultural practice?
Two Muslim bioethicists ask for more understanding Dr Jumana Nagarwala Eight people have been charged with involvement in female genital mutilation in Michigan – the...
Washington State agency endorses VSED
An end run around the letter of the lawA government agency in the state of Washington state has created an advance directive for patients who...
Social egg freezing adverts are often sheer puffery, claims bioethicist
Promotion is mostly persuasive, not informative Social egg freezing has become another money-spinner for fertility clinics as women try to reconcile their career ambitions and...
Swiss assisted suicide rates increased by 30% in 2015
Assisted suicide came close to eclipsing suicide as a cause of death. The rates of assisted suicide in Switzerland increased by 30% in 2015, bringing...
Euthanasia debate halted in Victoria after MP rushed to hospital
A Vic politician was rushed to hospital after a 26-hour debate. The bid to introduce euthanasia in Victoria is taking its toll on politicians, with...
The bioethics of social media
Autonomy being the central theme of contemporary bioethics, shouldn't bioethicists be concerned about the growing presence of social media, especially Facebook, in our lives? As we...
Demand for euthanasia surges in the Netherlands
The taboo has gone Euthanasia is becoming so popular in the Netherlands that the country’s only dedicated death clinic cannot keep up with the demand....