Bi-Weekly Round up: 15th May 2022
Four further articles and news stories arising over the last two weeks that are worth reading and being aware of. Always fascinating to appreciate how philosophical concepts and bioethical topics are presented in the media.
1. ‘How reform to the Mental Health Act should balance people’s treatment with increased autonomy’
With reform likely to occur to the Mental Health Act, does more need to be done to bring the act in line to recognise and respect personal autonomy?
2. ‘Southend brain-damaged boy in court case over life support’
Another instance where the courts are in an unenviable position of attempting to decide whether withdrawal of life support is in a child’s best interest?
Further considerations also about the appropriate time to do ‘brain-stem’ testing
3. ‘Fundamental rights and the limits of democracy’
Who should decide whether abortion is legal or not? Should the right to have an abortion be based on a majority view?
And finally, one for those with IME membership (Sign up here).
4. ‘Two kinds of embryo research: four case examples’
Is a philosophical distinction between future person embryo research and non-future person embryo research useful to consider when attempting to help decision-makers more efficiently identify higher risk embryo research?