BioEdge: the latest news and articles about bioethics

BioEdge: the latest news and articles about bioethics

This week YouTube made history. Literally. Assisted suicide became legal in California after Governor Jerry Brown put his signature on a law passed by the state's legislative assembly and senate. And it would never have happened without a YouTube video which was released on this day, exactly one year ago. 

Compassion & Choices, America's leading right-to-die group, financed, produced and promoted a short video about Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old, recently married woman with a brain tumour. She was "forced" to move to Oregon where assisted suicide is legal. The video went viral and was seen by millions of people who watched Brittany plead tearfully for the right to die.

It shows the immense power of story-telling in an era which respects emotions more than reasoned argument. 

Michael Cook
Editor
BioEdge

This week in BioEdge

Assisted suicide now legal in California

by Michael Cook | Oct 10, 2015

Governor Jerry Brown signs controversial bill.

Fears of suicide contagion after victory in California

by Michael Cook | Oct 10, 2015

A study shows that physician-assisted suicide may not reduce the suicide rate.

Euthanasia on the rise in Netherlands

by Xavier Symons | Oct 10, 2015

Deaths by euthanasia in the Netherlands increased by 10% in 2014 according to a new report.

A dignified debate, but no ground made on dignity

by Xavier Symons | Oct 10, 2015

A recent exchange in the Journal of Medical Ethics may have caught the eye of some of our readers.

Vulnerability: a new principle in bioethics?

by Xavier Symons | Oct 10, 2015

A new article by Duquesne bioethicist Henk ten Have explores the import of vulnerability for contemporary bioethics.

Catholic hospitals attacked for denying patients abortion and assisted suicide

by Xavier Symons | Oct 10, 2015

If they get federal funding, why shouldn't they provide legal services?

The British virgins who have IVF babies

by Michael Cook | Oct 10, 2015

Some women seeking IVF have never had a relationship

UN panel calls for moratorium on editing human genome

by Michael Cook | Oct 08, 2015

Process raises serious concerns, especially if changes can be inherited.

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BioEdge: the latest news and articles about bioethics