The year has just begun and already we are being faced with some thorny bioethical issues, as we report in the links below:

• Will countries which have legalised euthanasia ever convict doctors who break the law? Three doctors will go on trial in Belgium this week. The verdict will be interesting. 
• A small hospice in British Columbia is being forced to permit euthanasia. We pay the piper, you play our tune, is the government's response. 
• IVF researchers have paid Mexican women to donate eggs (dangerous) and to have some abortions (more dangerous). Is this an example of out-sourcing ethics and exploiting people who are poor, desperate and female?
• Gestating babies in artificial wombs could help to smash the patriarchy. Are we ready for the challenge of ectogenesis? 

There's more… Send us your feedback. We'd love to hear from you. 

Michael Cook
Some thorny bioethical issues
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Michael Cook

Michael Cook edits BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter, and MercatorNet, an on-line magazine whose focus is human dignity. He writes from Sydney, Australia.

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