by Collectif | 25 Sep, 2017 | Bioethics press synthesis | Organ donation
The Governor of North Carolina (USA), John Carney, has approved legislation to ensure that individuals cannot be refused organ transplantation on the basis of a physical or mental disability alone. Transplantation can only be refused if the organ under consideration...
by Collectif | 15 Sep, 2017 | Bioethics press synthesis | End of life
The prosecutor in Como, Italy, has launched an inquiry into the death of a 62 year-old engineer originating from Albavilla, in Northern Italy. Suffering from depression, the engineer travelled to Switzerland to have access to assisted suicide. He sent a letter to...
by Collectif | 15 Sep, 2017 | Bioethics press synthesis | Embryo research and alternatives
Japanese scientists have discovered a chemical compound that could improve the learning ability of people with Down syndrome by helping their nerve cells to develop during intra-uterine growth. Although prenatal screening for Down syndrome exists, no treatment is...
by Collectif | 15 Sep, 2017 | Bioethics press synthesis | Prenatal diagnosis
Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) involves the analysis of foetal DNA circulating in the mother’s blood. It is mainly used for the pre-natal screening of trisomies 21, 13 and 18 as well as sex chromosomes. However, scientists are requesting authorisation to...
by Collectif | 15 Sep, 2017 | Bioethics press synthesis | Genome
Cellectis, a French cell therapy company, has received a suspension notice from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following the death of a patient. The company is carrying out studies to test treatment against two types of cancer using genetically modified cells....
by Collectif | 15 Sep, 2017 | Bioethics press synthesis | MAP – Surrogacy
Last Tuesday, Extraordinary Conceptions, an American company based in southern California and specialising in promoting contacts with a view to surrogacy, announced its intention to set up a Spanish office in Barcelona. The reason behind this new centre is...