Chile’s “natural experiment” suggests that banning abortion will not kill more women
Legal, safe and rare abortion is often seen as a necessary component of women’s health. However, a study of abortion in Chile published this week...
Should eugenics become a “fundamental human right”?
Should termination of Down syndrome foetuses be regarded as a fundamental human right? This is an issue which the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)...
How long should women persevere with IVF?
In Israel women with up to two children can receive unlimited free, government-funded IVF treatment. This means that it is an ideal place to test...
South Korea ramps up stem-cell research
South Korea's stem cell research is bouncing back after the disgrace caused by researcher Hwang Woo-suk, whose work with stem cells proved to be fraudulent....
Women strap on bellies to keep surrogacy secret
Many women in India who hire surrogates use fake tummies to keep the surrogacy a secret, the Times of India reports. Many women in India...
Facebook encourages organ donation
The organ donation community applauded Facebook's announcement this week that it will allow its 900 million members to share their donor status with friends and...
Euthanasia on the boil in New Zealand
Two cases of euthanasia in New Zealand have been used to push the legalisation agenda, with politicians agitating for legal change. Each has involved men...
Corruptio optimi pessima, o medice?
The behaviour of Nazi doctors is universally accepted as a touchstone of bioethics. In the current issue of the Journal of Medical Ethics, a medical...
Our new site for smart phones
Hi there, We have a new feature– a mobile site for those of you who would like to read BioEdge on your smart phone. Here...
Is there a limit to the wisdom of the market?
Why can you sell sperm but not your vote? These conundrums are investigated by Michael Sandel, of Harvard University, in his latest book, What Money...
Being a doctor in China is a dangerous profession
Violence against doctors is increasing in China. China Daily has reported that in 2010, 17,000 violent incidents in about 70% of the country’s hospitals. This...
Dark side of IVF makes an impact
Last week’s news that birth defects are 37% higher for IVF children is dramatic. “That is a huge number,” writes Art Caplan, of New York...