In a recent event, Tennessee carried out the execution of Byron Black, a 69-year-old man with multiple health issues. What made this execution unusual was that Black had an implanted heart device, and there were concerns about whether it might shock his heart during the process. Witnesses reported that Black appeared to be in pain and discomfort as the lethal injecti...
Fetal surgery has shown promise in treating severe cases of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a birth defect where organs push through an opening in the diaphragm. The TOTAL Trial proved that prenatal treatment for isolated, severe left-sided CDH is effective and safe. This success has sparked interest in using similar methods for non-isolated CDH cases, where o...
Brain injuries are a major concern in modern medicine. They can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. A doctor in California is pushing for a change in how these injuries are handled. This doctor is not just any doctor. He is a neurosurgeon. His name is Dr. Geoffrey Manley. He works at the University of California, San Francisco. He is known for his strong opin...
Psychedelics have been making waves in the medical world. They are being studied for their potential to ease nonphysical pain. This includes spiritual and existential distress. It is a big deal for people nearing the end of their lives. The focus is on how these substances can help with spiritual and existential suffering. This is a hot topic in medical, ethical, an...
In Iran, the topic of abortion is a hot-button issue. It's a debate that's been going on for a while, and it's got a lot of different angles to it. The country's laws and attitudes towards abortion have changed over time. This is mainly because of the country's history, society, and politics. The latest big change came in 2021. That's when the "Rejuvenation of the P...
The world of organ transplants has come a long way since the 1950s. It is a field that has grown from a mere idea to a life-saving practice. The journey of organ transplantation is a testament to how law and medicine work together. It is also a stark reminder of the ethical dilemmas that come with medical advancements. The Center for Health Law, Ethics & Human Right...
In the world of medicine, there are times when doctors and nurses face tough choices. Sometimes, patients or their families ask for treatments that won't help or might even cause harm. This is especially true when it comes to decisions about resuscitation, or bringing someone back to life after their heart stops. In these cases, doctors need either the family's conse...
Separating conjoined twins is a complex medical procedure that raises many ethical questions. These questions are often discussed in medical literature. A recent review looked at seven papers published between 2013 and 2023. These papers discussed the ethical challenges of separating conjoined twins. The review found that the four main principles of ethics w...
Forty years ago, a significant book titled "The Value of Life: An Introduction to Medical Ethics" hit the shelves, shaking up the world of medical ethics. Penned by John Harris, this book has become a cornerstone in the field of bioethics, sparking conversations and debates that continue to this day. A recent gathering of international scholars marked this 40th anniv...
Imagine if a prominent figure in the UK suddenly decided to restrict access to a commonly used treatment for transgender youth. This isn't a story from a sci-fi universe, but a reality we're now facing. The UK recently made headlines by announcing that prescribing puberty blockers to underage individuals will be a criminal offense, unless it's part of a clinical tria...