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IVF and multiple pregnancies: embryo handling is responsible
A Japanese study published in Human Reproduction highlights the reasons why embryo transfer after in-vitro fertilisation is more likely to result in the birth of twins. During natural pregnancy, the zygote can divide into two or three embryos. However, this phenomenon...
Euthanasia in Canada: nurses’ rights to objection must be taken into consideration
In face-to-face interviews, eight nurses from Ontario revealed that nurses wishing to exercise conscientious objection deemed ethically justifiable in the light of certain health care procedures, have no backing and require protection from their health care...
Australia: Queensland legalises abortion
On Wednesday, the Queensland Parliament in Australia voted on a bill which authorises abortion up to the 22nd week of pregnancy and beyond on "medical indication". The text also provides for "a perimeter of 150 metres around abortion clinics, known as 'safe access...
A study documents paternal transmission of epigenetic memory via sperm
A study in Susan Strome's laboratory at the University of Santa Cruz demonstrates the importance of epigenetic information conveyed by sperm cells, and attempts to explain how this information is transmitted to descendants. Published in Nature Communications, these...
The Netherlands: free DNA test in the pipeline for sperm donor children?
In the Netherlands, sperm donor children could soon be offered a DNA test to identify their biological father. "Every child has the right to know his/her origins", announced MP Carla Dik-Faber before parliament. "It’s important for a sense of identity and could have a...
Reduction in the number of euthanasias performed in the Netherlands: doctors are “increasingly suspicious”
The number of euthanasias carried out in the Netherlands is declining for the first time since euthanasia was legalised back in 2002. 4,600 cases of euthanasia have been reported since January 2018, i.e. 9% less than the same time last year. Jacob Kohnstamm, the chair...
Abortion: World Medical Association restricts doctors’ right to conscientious objection
"Statement on medically indicated termination of pregnancy"[1]: the World Medical Association (WMA) adopted new statement on abortion or "therapeutic abortion" during its recent General Meeting held in Reykjavik in October 2018. The WMA, an international organisation...
American government to limit obligation to reimburse contraception
New contraception legislation has been debated at the White House since last week. The focus is on legislation that would allow more companies to get out of their obligation to reimburse contraception on the grounds of "moral beliefs". Since the 2012 Obama Care...
Medically assisted reproduction for all women: 340 doctors dissociate themselves from the position adopted by the French Medical Association
In a petition in Figaro, 340 doctors protest against the position adopted by the French Medical Association, which has announced that it is not opposed to the legalisation of ‘medically assisted reproduction for women’. The doctors regret the fact that the...
Euthanasia: World Medical Association resists pressure from the Canadians and Dutch
The Canadian and Dutch medical associations, both advocates of euthanasia, have made fruitless attempts to change the World Medical Association's stance on this subject. Their draft resolution in favour of euthanasia was withdrawn due to a lack of support during an...
Verona labelled as a “pro-life city”
In Italy, two measures have just been adopted by the Municipal Council of Verona to make it "a pro-life city". The first measure is to release financing for catholic anti-abortion associations. In a country where newborn infants are being increasingly...
Medically assisted reproduction for all women authorised in Malta
In Malta, new embryo legislation came into force on 1 October. It had been voted in by Parliament and signed by the Maltese President in June 2018 (see Malta: Changes to the Embryo Protection Act adopted by Parliament and Maltese President signs the Embryo...