By Ambria Williams, Lisa Kearns, and Kellie Owens This piece contains spoilers for the films “M3GAN” and “M3GAN 2.0”. Imagine a science fiction horror movie with an ethicist as the protagonist. As improbable as that seems, it’s the case in M3GAN 2.0, the sequel to the 2023 box-office hit M3GAN, in which an AI tech […]
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Examining Norms in Medical & Scientific Communications amid Rapidly Advancing Technologies
By Rafael Escandon A recent social media posting got my attention for a couple of reasons. First, because it is quite unusual and second, because the detail behind the headline tells a different story than the headline suggests. This was the first posting since the advent of social media where I have seen a company […]
Unequal access to reprogenetic cognitive enhancement due to consistently high costs
By Alexis Heng Boon Chin and Sayyed Mohamed Muhsin. A survey study by Haining et al. reported a significantly higher approval rating of human cognitive enhancement with reprogenetic technologies such as polygenic embryo screening and germline gene editing among Singaporean versus American respondents. The intensely competitive educational landscape in East Asian Confucian societies such as Singapore is […]
Living kidney donors in England should have the option to be paid
By Daniel Rodger and Bonnie Venter. The problem The demand for kidneys required for transplant cannot be satisfied by the existing supply and this deficit continues to increase annually. This is a worldwide phenomenon that is being driven by steady increases in kidney disease and the comorbidities that can cause it. Globally, more than 850 […]
Beds, beds, beds — We need more addictions beds
By Austin Lam. With recent news of a major private donation to transform addictions care in Vancouver, British Columbia, I have reflected on my experiences as a resident physician taking care of patients with substance use disorders. Drawing from her personal exposure to the devastating effects of addiction through the death of her brother, Jill […]
Champagne, cava, Prosecco, and whisky: Drinks and diminishing marginal utility
By David Shaw. Christmas is here, and for many people that means buying some booze. As it’s a special occasion, not just any alcohol will do; many will buy champagne, if not for Christmas then to see in the New Year. And a dram (whisky) is another traditional way to celebrate Hogmanay. But when budgets […]
Developing a practical resource to improve the ethical standing of gene therapy trials
By Rosie Munday, Hugh Davies and Stephanie Jones with Oxford “A” Health Research Authority Research Ethics Committee Oxford “A” NHS REC is one of the four UK Research Ethics Committees flagged to review gene therapy proposals. Following the philosopher Mary Warnock’s sage advice “I do not believe you can make moral judgements unless, as far […]
The right to pursue happiness on a healthy planet is a fundamental right
By Eric C Ip and Trevor T W Wan. Happiness and health determine what, why, and how we do what we do. There is a profound relationship between the two. The Constitution of the World Health Organization, a multi-lateral international treaty, proclaims in its preamble that health is ‘basic to the happiness’ of all peoples. Healthier […]
Heritable human genome editing: Who decides? Science or society?
By Françoise Baylis Many describe the move from bench to bedside (from basic science to therapeutic or preventive applications) as a sprint – a short quick race. Others suggest that the race (such as it is) is more like hurdles given the many obstacles that must be overcome. Still others prefer to think of the […]
Medical assistance in dying—is there a case for including persons with mental illness?
By Nicholas Delva, Anees Bahji Over the last couple of decades, medical assistance in dying (MAiD) has become legal in a few developed countries. Developments in this area have been primarily driven by patients, with general support from the population. Governments have been cautious in the development of legislation, which is not surprising given that […]