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Heading towards the end of free medicinal products for MAP in Quebec
Since 20 November 2015, Quebec has withdrawn in-vitro fertilisation free of charge as part of the medically assisted procreation (MAP) programme. In 2014, the MAP programme implemented by Quebec proved to be far more expensive than anticipated, “costing the Health...
Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill discuss bioethical issues
During a meeting in Havana on 13 February 2016, Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill signed a joint declaration. Point 21 of their declaration concerned bioethical issues: · About abortion: “We call on all to respect the...
Microcephaly in newborn infants in South America: an insecticide rather than the Zika virus
In South America, more than 1.5 million people have been affected in recent months by serious congenital deformities and neurological disorders. The Brazilian authorities spontaneously attributed these to the Zika virus. However, the link between the virus and...
The FDA suspends its authorisation of transgenic salmon
Despite criticisms from consumer associations (see A transgenic salmon authorised for consumption in the United States), in November 2015, the American Health Authorities authorised the consumption of genetically modified salmon. This was the “first transgenic animal...
A Doritos commercial “humanises the foetus” in full view of the Superbowl
A short commercial produced by Doritos and shown during the Superbowl with its intense media coverage, has triggered lively reactions from NARAL[1]. The baby is shown on the screen during an ultrasound scan. As the father moves the corn crisps,...
Zika and microcephaly: the link has not been established. Brazilian bishops refuse abortion
Further to the UN request last Friday, the Conference of Brazilian Bishops “rejected the option to authorise abortion in the case of microcephaly”. It believes “that it is high time to reopen this debate following the dramatic rise in the number of cases related to...
Portuguese MPs ignore the presidential veto and vote in favour of adoption by homosexual couples
“On Wednesday”, the Portuguese Parliament “confirmed the unanimous decision of MPs to authorise adoption by homosexual couples”. The law, which had its first reading on 18 December, was approved by all left parties and about twenty MPs from the right opposition...
The Netherlands: a report opposing euthanasia for people who are “tired of living”
Whilst the debate in the Netherlands focuses on whether to extend euthanasia to people who are “tired of living”, a report opposing this move has just been submitted to the Government. In drafting its report, the Commission, which was created in July 2014,...
Northern Ireland refuses to relax the abortion law
Yesterday evening, the Northern Ireland Assembly finally rejected the amendment to extend abortion to foetuses with serious diseases and a restricted quality of life. With 59 in favour and 40 against, Assembly members maintained their restrictive abortion...
Abortion: Swiss gynaecologists want to remove the reflection period
In Switzerland, gynaecologists are calling to remove the second consultation period prior to abortion.According to them, the procedure is too “complicated” and some of them “are already renouncing the second discussion period”. According to a survey published in...
Combating malaria with CRISPR-Cas9: what impact is this having on biodiversity?
In December, scientists at the University of California announced that they had managed to genetically modify the sex cells of Anopheles stephensis mosquitoes, which carry the parasite responsible for malaria. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique, scientists inserted “a...
CRISPR-Cas9 for better or worse?
CRISPR-Cas9 “can now reprogram a genome in one week instead of a few months”. Obtained from “a natural defence mechanism present in bacteria,” this tool “can trigger mutations, insert or remove genes and even inhibit their expression” in all cell...