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Reproductive technologies and embryo research have transformed gametes into marketable products
In India, a woman recently used semen from her son who died of cancer to have grandchildren. The mother used an egg donation and called on a surrogate mother to have the twins. In this case, her son – the donor – had frozen his sperm before the treatment and gave his...
Four investigations into possible criminal euthanasia in the Netherlands
In its annual report on euthanasia in 2017, the Regional Euthanasia Surveillance Committee in the Netherlands reported 12 suspicious cases for the year 2017 (cf. Pays-Bas : l’euthanasie des personnes en fin de vie a augmenté de 8% en un an) (The Netherlands:...
Referendum in Ireland: the government proposes 21 clauses to regulate abortion
On March 7, the Supreme Court authorized a referendum on abortion. The aim is to amend the eighth amendment of the Constitution, which recognizes the equal right to life of the mother and the unborn child. Implicitly, this amendment, approved by referendum on 7...
Referendum in Ireland: the government proposes 21 clauses to regulate abortion
On March 7, the Supreme Court authorized a referendum on abortion. The aim is to amend the eighth amendment of the Constitution, which recognizes the equal right to life of the mother and the unborn child. Implicitly, this amendment, approved by referendum on 7...
Out goes the soul, in comes the gene?
Our ancestors revered the soul as the principle of the body's animation. The last few decades have seen a host of fascinating discoveries leading to a better understanding of the way our cells work and the differentiation mechanisms that lie at the origin of all...
Parents of sperm donor win right to see grandson
A 5-year-old boy born to a lesbian couple, using the sperm of a friend, had known his biological father since birth. He saw him almost every week, as did his biological grandparents, who were invited to family events. The relationship deteriorated when the two...
Euthanasia and organ donation: Belgium continues to push the boundaries even further
"Organs have been harvested from around forty individuals who have undergone euthanasia" in Belgium since 2005. These patients offered their organs spontaneously. According to Professor Jean-Bernard Otte, a liver transplant surgeon and member of the Ethics Committee...
Argentina: President Macri opens debate on abortion, in a country highly divided over such issues
In response to demands from feminist groups lobbying for “free, safe legal abortion since 2005”, President of Argentina Mauricio Macri, though personally opposed to abortion, announced that Congress should open a debate on decriminalizing abortion. On Monday,...
Palliative care – “a shining example of person-centred care”
During the Palliative Care Congress organised by the General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, which took place in Rome from 28 February to 1 March, the Holy Father encouraged the use of palliative care through a letter signed by Cardinal Parolin. ...
New federal funding under Trump administration puts Planned Parenthood at a disadvantage
The Trump administration has just adopted a new strategy for distributing Title X funding[1]: organizations that promote natural methods are directly affected, putting Planned Parenthood at a disadvantage. Nearly 260 million dollars in funding is at stake. The...
In Arizona – law dictates the fate of frozen embryos in the event of divorce
Last Thursday, State Senators in Arizona voted in favour of giving frozen embryos to the parent who promises to use them to have a baby, even if the other parent objects. Divorce court judges will no longer be compelled to decide who should have the embryos....
Medically Assisted Procreation: the price to pay
The cause of infertility is not investigated in a MAP process – doctors simply suggest how to overcome it. In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is directly available during the consultation, possibly preceded by Intra-Uterine Insemination, as a matter of urgency. In many...