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In Canada, debates on a draft bill recognising the rights of the foetus
In Canada, MP Cathay Wagantall has filed draft bill (C-225) establishing that the foetus should be considered a second victim when a pregnant woman is killed or injured. She suggests modifying the Criminal Code to “include new violations when an unborn child is...
Chinese research cross the red line once again and genetically modify human embryos
A second Chinese team has confirmed that it has genetically modified “non-viable” human embryos using the CRIPSR technique, “to make them resistant to HIV infection”. Their study was published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. It was led by Yong...
The ban on human embryo research is upheld in Italy
The Italian Constitutional Court has reconfirmed the legitimacy of the ban on human embryo research. In last month’s decision, the Court declared that Article 13 of Law 40, a 2004 law governing assisted procreation, was constitutional. This legislation was...
In Russia, a draft bill proposes giving money to women to encourage them against abortion
To overcome population ageing and reduce the number of abortions, a Russian MP has suggested offering a sum of money to pregnant women wishing to have an abortion in order to encourage them to change their mind. According to Aleksandr Sherin, an MP with the Russian...
100% human artificial skin arrives on the market
As part of the In-Cosmetics salon, theBioDan Group, a “[Spanish] bio-engineering company specialising in regenerative medicine” presents “the world’s first 100% human skin used to test cosmetic products”. This skin comes from “healthy donors” and...
Selective abortion – a reality in Canada
A study published on Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) has rekindled the debate on selective abortions in Canada. The skewed boy-girl ratio has existed for “at least two decades” in Canadian families of Indian origin. Scientists “suggest that...
American scientists confirm the link between Zika and microcephaly
According to a study published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine, American scientists confirm that they have “for the first time definitely established the fact” that the Zika virus “can trigger” cerebral deformities in the foetus, including...
China stubbornly intends to continue the genetic handling of human embryos
Chinese scientists “intend to continue their genetic research despite raising ethical concerns”. Their research into human embryos has triggered international controversy on two occasions. The latest research, which attempts to make embryos resistant to HIV, “does not...
Treating the “bubble children” – gene therapy approved by the European Medicines Agency
On 1 April, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved “Strimvelis” gene therapy developed by Italian scientists and GSK (GlaxoSmithKline). This gene therapy aims to treat children suffering from a rare genetic disease[1], which leaves them incapable of producing...
Surrogacy: Pipah, Gammy’s twin sister, will stay with her intended father who has a criminal record
The Court decided that Pipah, Gammy’s twin sister (see. Surrogacy and child trafficking: an account from the mother of "baby Gammy"), will stay with the Australian couple who bought her. Pattaramon Chanbua, the Thai surrogate mother, had, in fact,...
Return of surrogacy to the European Council
Despite the rejection on 15 March 2016 of the report in favour of surrogacy presented by socialist, Petra Sutter (seeThe Council of Europe rejects “ethical” surrogacy report, Europe: conflict of interest in relation to surrogacy questions cannot apply to Petra De...
Belgium: Civil recognition of a stillborn child – a threat to abortion?
In Belgium, the Justice Commission of the Belgian Chamber is continuing the delicate debate surrounding the civil status of “stillborn babies”, with the possibility that the bill could be adopted before the summer. It is worrying some advocates of abortion who view...