IRAN’S LIBERAL BIOETHICS
Despite its reputation in the West for intolerant Islamic fundamentalism, Iran has relatively liberal legislation on abortion and stem cell research. Writing in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, two Iranian bioethicists say that Islam teaches that ensoulment takes place at 120 days after conception. This makes it possible for Iranian scientists to do embryonic stem cell research and therapeutic cloning, and for doctors to do abortions. In 2005, the Iranian parliament passed a “therapeutic abortion act”, which allows abortions after a diagnosis by three experts and a confirmation by the “legal medicine organisation”. Abortion is now legal during the first four months of pregnancy if the foetus is mentally or physically handicapped or if the mother’s life is in danger.
According to the authors, from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, the incidence of birth defects seem to be rising in Iran. There is a preference for consanguineous marriage, which results in a higher level of defects and the age of marriage for educated women is rising, as in the West. Pregnancies after the age of 35 are now more frequent, and there is more concern about chromosomal disorders.
- How long can you put off seeing the doctor because of lockdowns? - December 3, 2021
- House of Lords debates assisted suicide—again - October 28, 2021
- Spanish government tries to restrict conscientious objection - October 28, 2021
More Stories
Last Australian state finally launches ‘assisted dying’
As of November 28, eligible people in New South Wales can request “voluntary assisted dying”. NSW was the last Australian...
Two opposing conferences on population this weekend: one proudly pro-natalist, one dismally pro-extinction
Declining rates of fertility around the globe are slowly creeping into headlines and the conference circuit. This weekend, there will...
Do women suffer from depression after their abortions?
“It’s important for folks to know that abortion does not cause mental health problems,” Debra Mollen, of Texas Woman’s University,...
A sperm donor’s can of worms
Assuming that letters to Slate’s agony aunt are 100% the real deal is a bit dangerous. A failed novelist in...
Al-Jazeera investigates euthanasia in Canada
Most people are completely ignorant of how radical Canada's right-to-die legislation has become. This documentary from Al-Jazeera exposes the incredible...
Do gender-questioning kids need psychotherapy rather than hormones?
If you consult the “Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy” page of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, you will discover that...