BIOETHICS NEWS by CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY of VALENCIA ► Three-parent baby technique ethics. Can we improve human nature?, etc. Nº54

nº 54

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April 2017

REPORTS

Ethical questions about mitochondrial replacement in humans. Three-parent baby technique We thus consider it necessary to establish a moratorium on their use in humans, at least until more is known about relevant aspects. If this knowledge is obtained, ethical questions would still remain, we consider those related to the dignity and identity of the human embryo … Read more.

Transhumanism: the abolition of man? Transhumanist goal intends to free human beings from their human condition with technological support. When we hear the word transhumanism, the idea may come to mind that it is possible to improve human nature… Read more.

NEWS

Open ethical debate: Are gene editing techniques ethical in reproductive medicine? The use of these techniques is currently medically and ethically unjustifiable. The United Kingdom has recently approved mitochondrial transfer (3 parents children) this has opened an ethical debate… Read more.

The situation of the clinical use of stem cells In January 2017, an article was published in JAMA (Palliative Care - Translating Clinical Trials to Clinical Care) which, in our opinion, summarises the situation of the clinical use of stem cells extremely well. It begins by referring to the possible sources… Read more.

Rise in sexually transmitted diseases shows WHO report Experts have warned of an upturn in sexually transmitted diseases, as a result of the social  changes derailing the efforts  after the "hardest" years of the HIV epidemic. According to the latest World Health Organization… Read more.

United States commits to improve both physicians training and quality in palliative care A system to prepare physicians to address this type of medical need that showed a significant improvement in the quality of life expected in patients with serious illnesses. In 1998 in the United States, only 15% of hospitals… Read more.

Rights of aborted foetal remains. Recognised by different countries From 19 December 2016, abortion clinics, in Texa, can no longer treat the bodies of the victims (fetal remains) as clinical waste but will have to bury or cremate them, whichever the parents decide… Read more.

IN BRIEF

Mother-child HIV transmission elimination is accomplished. A global great advance The elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission — so-called vertical transmission — is being accomplished, which is a great medical and ethical advance.  The HIV transmission rate fell from… Read more.

Three-parent babies. Two children have been born  On 15 December 2016, the UK approved this technique . Although the UK is the only country where this technique is … Read more.

Higher survival of very premature babies A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found a higher survival of very premature babies. The study collected data on 4,274 children born in 11 hospitals. The percentage of premature infants who survived rose… Read more.

Intestinal tissue produced from embryonic stem cells and iPS cells The intestinal nervous system controls several functions of the gastrointestinal tract, and when impaired causes bowel abnormalities. Now, a group of American researchers has generated intestinal tissue from embryonic and iPS cells using them to study… Read more.