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40 MPs file a resolution to confirm the principle of banning surrogacy in French law
On the initiative of Xavier Breton, 40 MPs have filed a draft resolution "calling for a universal ban on surrogacy". The signatories point out that "surrogacy leads to the unacceptable exploitation of women with children being treated as objects". In France,...
Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital proposes “Charter of Rights of Incurable Children”
Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital is currently proposing a "Charter of Rights of Incurable Children" for European hospitals, inspired by the "International Charter on Children's Rights in Hospital", but "updated in the light of medical progress and the latest European...
United Kingdom – first 3D printed human cornea
British scientists at Newcastle University have succeeded in "printing" human corneas from stem cells. The cornea is the transparent outer layer of the eyeball. It can be damaged following an infection, injury or inflammation, and can result in partial or total...
Against “medically assisted reproduction for all”, 1,600 doctors challenge the Conseil de l’Ordre des Médecins (French Medical Council)
"Our main aim is to treat patients, alleviate suffering and ultimately prevent disease. Apart from the aforementioned roles, there's nothing else for us to do", explains Dr. Raphaël Nogier, General Practitioner in Lyon, and co-signatory of the petition sent by 1,600...
In Quebec, “end-of-life care cannot just mean access to medical aid in dying”
"End-of-life care cannot just mean access to medical aid in dying". In Quebec, in a letter sent on Tuesday to Health Minister Gaétan Barrette, the College of Physicians deplores the fact that access to palliative care for the people of Quebec is limited due to lack of...
Surrogacy in Canada: Quebec firmly opposed
"The government of Quebec is vigorously opposed to any legislation that would open the door to commodifying women’s bodies", the Minister of Justice said in a statement to the media, responding to Canada’s proposed legislation on surrogacy[1]. Bill C-404, introduced...
Irish referendum: abortion decriminalised
The Yes vote won the referendum on whether abortion should be decriminalised in Ireland. With a turnout rate of 64.13%, 66.4% voted Yes, 33.6% voted No. Support was strongest in Dublin Bay South, with 78.49% in favour; Donegal was the only constituency to vote...
Abortion in Ireland: doctors ask to include their right to conscientious objection in proposed legislation
Under the current abortion bill, refusing to refer patients to doctors willing to perform abortions would "be a breach of the law". While the law allows conscientious objection and allows doctors to refuse to perform abortions, it obliges them to " make such...
Portugal’s Parliament rejects euthanasia
The bill that would have legalised euthanasia in Portugal was rejected Tuesday evening, with 110 votes in favour, 115 against, and only four abstentions. The vote took place after a "heated debate". The bill was drafted by the ruling Socialists and envisaged...
Arkansas: US Supreme Court upholds strict law limiting medication-induced abortions
Planned Parenthood’s case was dismissed by the Supreme Court of the United States. The organisation had tried to block a 2015 law that considerably restricted access to the RU-486 abortion pill, sold under the brand names Mifeprex (mifepristone) and Cytotec...
Dignitas President accused of making money on the back of euthanasia patients
Twenty years after creating Dignitas, the assisted suicide organisation, its president, 85-year-old Ludwig A. Minelli, is in court, accused of "making money through death". It is the first time that a case of this kind has been heard in Switzerland. The...
Surrogacy is illegal in Portugal – nevertheless surrogacy company opens office in Lisbon
Though surrogacy is banned in Portugal, an Israeli company has nevertheless opened an office in Lisbon to offer its services to Portuguese couples. Roy Nir, the company's CEO, spoke to the local press, confirming that Tammuz's activities "would be entirely legal...