NEWS
The scientist who created the first genetically modified babies wants to go back to research
He Jiankui spent three years in prison for flouting the most basic medical and ethical regulations by creating the first babies born after being genetically edited to be immune to HIV. In 2018, the researcher edited the genome of several human embryos [...]
Canada would allow people with mental illness to access euthanasia
Canada will extend access to euthanasia to the mentally ill in March. To do so, it has had to reform the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) law passed in 2016, which was only available to terminally ill adults who applied for medical [...]
Donated embryo pregnancies are associated with an increased risk of hypertensive disorders even in young women
A recent retrospective study published in Fertility and Sterility has compared the risk of gestational hypertension in two groups of pregnant women after undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART) using both autologous (from the pregnant woman's oocytes) and donated embryos (obtained after fertilizing [...]
How many people have died of COVID-19 worldwide?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), we will never know how many people have died as a result of COVID-19 around the world. A recent study published in Nature collects data provided by this organization. It draws attention to the huge [...]
In what week do fetuses begin to feel pain?
Dr. Carlo Bellieni, an expert pediatrician, states in Bioethics Today that "denying fetal pain in the second half of pregnancy can undermine preterm babies’ right to analgesia." According to Bellieni, in recent months there are some who argue against abortion saying that [...]
Britain confirms the legality of aborting fetuses with Down syndrome until birth
These days we can read in several media that the British Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal filed by a woman with Down syndrome and a mother of a child who also has it. This confirms British legislation that allows abortion [...]
Spain in the lead in number of pregnant women over 40 in Europe
The Euro-Peristat network has recently published a new “European Perinatal Health Report. Core indicators of the health and care of pregnant women and babies in Europe from 2015 to 2019”. The objective of the Euro-Peristat Network is “to establish a high quality, [...]
Twins born from embryos frozen 30 years ago
According to the US National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC), they are the oldest frozen embryos ever to result in a live birth. Some media reported the birth three weeks earlier of twins who were conceived thirty years ago and whose embryos had [...]
France refuses to include abortion as a right in the Constitution
The French Senate has rejected the bill on abortion proposed by Mélanie Vogel, from the environmental party, "aimed at protecting and guaranteeing the fundamental right to voluntary termination of pregnancy and contraception." The proposal was rejected by 172 votes against 139. Only [...]
A young woman dies in an oocyte donation process
The case of a young egg donor who, at only 23 years old, died on the operating table during a routine procedure o retrieve oocytes for donation, has recently been published. The deceased was subjected to various tests before carrying out the [...]
The dilemma of when human life begins
When does human life begin? This question has generated a wide debate in the scientific world, specifically since the eighties, with the appearance of assisted reproduction techniques. The question, according to a paper based on research by Steven Jacobs, offers results about [...]
To César Nombela. In Memoriam
César Nombela, Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Complutense University of Madrid and microbiology researcher, has passed away. He was president of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) between 1996 and 2000 and rector of the Menéndez Pelayo International University [...]
Cancer risk in children born from frozen embryos
According to a recently published study, an increased incidence of cancer has been detected in children born after the transfer of frozen embryos in assisted reproduction procedures. The aim of the study was to investigate whether children conceived using these techniques, and [...]
A repentant transgender teenager denounces the lack of information before her gender transition
Chloe Cole is an 18-year-old transgender teenager who underwent a gender transition and double mastectomy between the ages of 12 and 16, and now, after regretting her decision, she leads the defense of children and families that they are going through the [...]
When memory is lost, but not affection
Recently, Jacinto Bátiz, director of the Institute for Better Care of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Santurce (Vizcaya) and head of the SEMG Bioethics Group, has published an article that alludes to the importance of the family-caregiver of those with [...]
The WHO states that there are more than two sexes
The World Health Organization (WHO) intends to update its manual "Gender mainstreaming for health managers: a practical approach" stating "that sex is not limited to male or female". From the WHO they explain that they are modernizing their manual, published in 2011 [...]
Oocyte freezing has doubled in Spain in the last decade
In recent years, and due to their precarious employment or sentimental stability, a growing number of women have decided to postpone their motherhood until they find a stable job or relationship. In order to become mothers at advanced ages, many of them [...]
The European Parliament calls for the inclusion of abortion in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
A non-binding resolution on abortion as a fundamental right was adopted with 324 votes in favor, 155 against and 38 abstentions. The Chamber affirms that “everyone has the right to a safe and legal abortion”, and shows its support and solidarity with [...]
The molecule responsible for classifying memories as positive or negative in the brain is discovered
Researchers at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, have identified a brain molecule responsible for associating positive or negative emotions with a memory. The finding, published in Nature, could be used to treat anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress. “We’ve basically gotten a [...]
The Dutch government intends to apply euthanasia to children under the age of 12
In the Netherlands, Health Minister Ernst Kuipers wants to approve the administration of euthanasia to children aged between 1 and 12 who suffer from a terminal illness, through a legal reform. He has announced that he intends to extend the Groningen Protocol, [...]
