The Google search engine refused to carry anti-abortion advertising and the Christian Institute of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, is suing the company for religious discrimination. Google carries advertisements for abortion providers but says it has a policy against mixing abortion and religion. [Daily Mail, 8 April]

Belgian authorities are threatening parents with prison if they do not have their children vaccinated against polio. Children can be exempted if it is proved that they would suffer side-effects but conscientious objections are not respected. [AP on Rockford Register Star, 12 March] It is unclear whether vaccines used in Belgium are made using unethically obtained substances, especially tissue from aborted babies. Some parents in other countries have objected to polio vaccines on this basis.