SPECIAL REPORTS
Scientific explanation of the origin of the universe. A paradigm shift: from consensus to controversy
"Our current understanding of physics allows us to reconstruct the history of the Universe from the first 10-43 seconds of existence." Inflation, the consensus model In recent decades, a very solid foundation has been laid [...]
Euthanasia comes to Spain. Medical, legal and social reflection
The Bioethics Observatory of the Catholic University of Valencia has drawn up a document entitled, “Euthanasia comes to Spain. Medical, legal and social reflection”, in which we synthetically evaluate the possible legalization of euthanasia in [...]
Biomedical research concerns in China. Lack of bioethical assessment
On February 4, a Letter to the Editor was published online in Science and Engineering Ethics (read HERE), addressing some of China's current problems related to biomedical research. In the article, the authors refer to [...]
CRISPR promises. Some of the most recent advances in CRISPR gene editing
CRISPR gene editing applications The CRISPR gene editing tool has opened possibilities for application in multiple areas, including medicine, agriculture, and livestock, among others. An issue that has been the subject of several articles published [...]
Is there room for God in the Universe? Scientific review
On last 8 October, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics “for contributions to our understanding of the evolution of the universe and Earth’s place in the [...]
Opiod treatment. Controversy surrounding its abuse in the U.S.
Introduction A recent article published in The Washington Post discusses the conflict that has emerged in the US with the advertising and prescription of opioid analgesics, as a result of the manipulation of information detected [...]
“Death by donation”. Harvesting organs from still-living persons
"Undergo surgery in an operating theatre to remove their organs while still alive" An interesting and at the same time highly disturbing article published in Intensive Care Medicine volume 45, pages1309–1311(2019) discusses the procurement of organs for transplants [...]
A brief review of access to palliative care in the world. Evaluation and ethical aspects
Our Observatory is following the palliative care issue as an urgent global ethical matter to be resolved, both in developed countries and in the rest of the world (read HERE). We said in a recent [...]
Transsexuality and elite sport: scientific and ethical aspects
A recent article published in the Journal of Medical Ethics (read HERE) attempts to clarify some of the concerns raised following the controversy that erupted after the publication of an earlier paper in the same [...]
Review of medical and ethical aspects of penis transplantion
A controversial bioethical dilemma is penis transplant feasibility, balance risk-benefice and the need to maintain the patient on lifelong immunosuppressive therapy, the organ donor shortage and the high economic cost of the long process. In [...]
Concerns about latest researches by Juan Carlos Izpisua’s group
There is no doubting the importance of biomedical research carried out by Juan Carlos Izpisúa and his team (1). Their work is focused mainly on: a) the production of hybrids or human-animal chimeras; b) the [...]
Frozen human embryos are collapsing fertility clinics capacity of storage. Bioethical approach
Frozen embryos abandoned. Short review Earlier this year, CBS News published an interesting review with the evocative title Tens of thousands of embryos are stuck in limbo in fertility clinics, an issue we have addressed several times in our [...]
3D bioprinting for regenerative medicine and to produce organs. State of the art and an ethical reflection
A recent article published in the Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Volume 120, Issue 2, April 2019, Pages 128-132) made a great review with the suggestive title 3D Bioprinting: principles, fantasies and prospects. It [...]
A review of the relationship between same sex attraction and genetics: new findings for an old dilemma
Introduction Much has been written about the factors that trigger same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior. The possible existence of genetic determinants that are detectable in individuals with homosexual orientation has been the subject of study [...]
Demographic winter in Europe. Replacement levels fails to meet generational replacement based in Eurostat’s recent data
Europe does not meet generational replacement levels, which is probably one of the most serious social problems in this part of the world. Never has it been more justified to assign Europe the classic name [...]
Journal of Medical Ethics article defends conscientious objection on the same grounds on which has been heavily criticised: abortion provision
Under the provocative title of Questionable benefits and unavoidable personal beliefs: defending conscientious objection for abortion, an article in the Journal of Medical Ethics (JME) has defended the conscientious objection of medical professionals in the [...]
Trachea transplants. Medical and ethical assessment of Paolo Macchiarini’s experiments
An interesting article was published recently in “The American Journal of Bioethics” (read HERE), that gives a brief history of the controversial trachea transplants performed by Paolo Macchiarini and his co-workers (see HERE) our previous [...]
“No life is unworthy because of the mental disorder it endures”. Bioethical assessment of the Noa Pothoven case.
Is it a case or a trend? Are patients diagnosed with incurable mental disorder being left starving in some countries? Noa Pothoven, a Dutch 17-year-old, was left to die of starvation on 2 June. The [...]
Cardinal Elio Sgreccia, recognized founder of applied personalist bioethics, dies
The death of His Eminence Cardinal Elio Sgreccia has been recieved with great sadness by bioethics professionals. Cardinal Sgreccia was one of the greatest representatives of personalist bioethics in recent decades, even though in this [...]
Reflections on Vincent Lambert paradigmatic case. Death of starvation promulgated by law, an objectively euthanasic act
An assisted death paradigmatic case in a country where euthanasia is not legal Our Observatory at the Catholic University of Valencia considers that the death of Vincent Lambert following the withdrawal of hydration and nutrition [...]
