News, The archbishop of Dublin, government ministers, members of parliament and the senate, and some 400 private citizens wrote to the Irish deputy prime minister to urge her to oppose European Union proposals for human embryo research. Cardinal Desmond Connell led lobbying of Ms Mary Harney a...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, Polio immunisation has been stopped in a Muslim part of Nigeria while the authorities investigate rumours that the vaccine contains a contraceptive substance. The state of Kano stopped the programme in August and the national assembly is now considering the issue. The World Health Organi...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, Polio immunisation has been stopped in a Muslim part of Nigeria while the authorities investigate rumours that the vaccine contains a contraceptive substance. The state of Kano stopped the programme in August and the national assembly is now considering the issue. The World Health Organisati...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The Catholic archbishop of Birmingham, England, has criticised the British Pregnancy Advisory Service for encouraging women to buy morning-after pills in anticipation of the festive season. Most Rev Vincent Nichols accused the service of encouraging young people to act irresponsibly. Girls u...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The Catholic archbishop of Birmingham, England, has criticised the British Pregnancy Advisory Service for encouraging women to buy morning-after pills in anticipation of the festive season. Most Rev Vincent Nichols accused the service of encouraging young people to act irresponsibly. Gir...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, US scientists believe that it may one day be possible to create animal-human hybrids to supply organs for transplants. Researchers at the University of Nevada intend to try injecting an animal foetus with human bone marrow stem cells in an attempt to produce a chimera. Donor organs from ...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, US scientists believe that it may one day be possible to create animal-human hybrids to supply organs for transplants. Researchers at the University of Nevada intend to try injecting an animal foetus with human bone marrow stem cells in an attempt to produce a chimera. Donor organs from the ...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The Voluntary Euthanasia Society faces a possible split over the actions of Dr Michael Irwin, who was arrested by police in connection with the death of Patrick Kneen, the Independent reports. Some support his position but the society's constitution insists that members should campaign withi...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The Voluntary Euthanasia Society faces a possible split over the actions of Dr Michael Irwin, who was arrested by police in connection with the death of Patrick Kneen, the Independent reports. Some support his position but the society's constitution insists that members should campaign w...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The chairman of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society has resigned, following his arrest in connection with the death of euthanasia campaigner Patrick Kneen. Dr Michael Irwin admitted going to Mr Kneen's home in the Isle of Man with a large quantity of sleeping pills but said that his friend ...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The chairman of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society has resigned, following his arrest in connection with the death of euthanasia campaigner Patrick Kneen. Dr Michael Irwin admitted going to Mr Kneen's home in the Isle of Man with a large quantity of sleeping pills but said that his friend was ...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The Italian senate has approved a law banning the use of surrogate mothers and donor eggs and sperm in IVF treatment, BBC reports. The bill also bans embryo freezing, pre-implantation screening and restricts treatment to married couples or those in a stable relationship. Senator Elisabetta A...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The Italian senate has approved a law banning the use of surrogate mothers and donor eggs and sperm in IVF treatment, BBC reports. The bill also bans embryo freezing, pre-implantation screening and restricts treatment to married couples or those in a stable relationship. Senator Elisabet...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The government of the Indian state of Kerala is investigating allegations of mass sterilisation programmes against tribal minorities by local health authorities. Media reports claim that over 1000 tribal people were sterilised earlier in the year, having been promised financial rewards t...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The government of the Indian state of Kerala is investigating allegations of mass sterilisation programmes against tribal minorities by local health authorities. Media reports claim that over 1000 tribal people were sterilised earlier in the year, having been promised financial rewards that ...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The EU has failed to agree whether or not to fund embryo research, FT.com reports. The European Commission has said that despite the apparent stalemate, funding proposals might be decided on an individual basis. [FT.com, 4 December] The Commission of the bishops' conferences of the European ...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The EU has failed to agree whether or not to fund embryo research, FT.com reports. The European Commission has said that despite the apparent stalemate, funding proposals might be decided on an individual basis. [FT.com, 4 December ] The Commission of the bishops' conferences of the Euro...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have forbidden IVF clinics from running schemes in which women are offered IVF treatment at a reduced price if they undergo extra cycles to yield donor eggs. The ban has been imposed amid concerns about the health risks and ethical ...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have forbidden IVF clinics from running schemes in which women are offered IVF treatment at a reduced price if they undergo extra cycles to yield donor eggs. The ban has been imposed amid concerns about the health risks and ethical impl...

[Read the rest of this article...]

News, French lawmakers have approved an amendment that grants the unborn child protection from death caused by negligence or recklessness. Gisele Halimi, a women's rights lawyer, condemned the amendment, claiming that the lawmakers were "introducing into our law a new concept that gives foetuses a...

[Read the rest of this article...]