The year draws to a close
A very happy Christmas and New Year to all of our subscribers. Thanks for your support, comments, and donations throughout the year. This is our...
Book closes on stem cell saga
Yet another stem cell dream has been shattered for ever.RIKEN officials announce failure to replicate STAP cells. Yet another stem cell dream has...
Is this guru dead or meditating?
The body of Ashutosh Maharaj lies in refrigeration while his followers wrangle with the courts. For an interesting twist on the determination of death, we...
The Optimist: I have lived in a golden age, says US bioethicist
Arthur Caplan’s brisk summary of the history of bioethics in the latest issue of the Journal of Medical Ethics is decidedly upbeat. Arthur Caplan’s canter...
The Pessimist: Editor of leading bioethics journal mourns “failure” of bioethics
Julian Savulescu's sombre lament for the field he loves. “Both bioethics and medical ethics together have, in many ways, failed as fields,” laments the editor...
Swiss bioethicist backs organ donor euthanasia
The idea of using patients as organ donors if they request assisted suicide or euthanasia seems to be catching on. This is reasonably common in...
US report on CIA torture
Hi there, Apologies for the brevity and late arrival of this week’s BioEdge. We plead pressure of Christmas and the holiday season… In any case,...
Psychologists criticised in CIA torture report
Two psychologists contracted by the CIA to create enhanced interrogation techniques for al-Qaeda detainees have come under fire for violating human rights and medical ethics....
Islamic State rumoured to fund war with organ trafficking
A doctor in Mosul has told Al-Monitor that a large-scale racket was being run out of local hospitals. Allegations have been made that the Islamic...
No love, no marriage, just the baby carriage
You’ve heard of hook-up sites for people who just want sex, but not marriage and kids. But sites for people who just want kids, but...
When transgender men have children
Transgender studies is a field which comes up with many surprises. Transgender studies is a field which comes up with many surprises. An article in...
Ontario doctors preparing for battle over conscience rights
A draft policy of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario demands that physicians must provide services to prevent imminent “harm, suffering and/or deterioration,”...