Category Archives: Our News & Commentary Blog

Subscribe to our blog by email

Reuters: NIMBY in Switzerland (and misreporting assisted suicide law)

assisted suicide, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, Switzerland

Hot off the Press: Right-to-die group barred from premises ZURICH (Reuters) – Right-to-die group Dignitas has been barred from its premises in a Zurich suburb after neighbors objected to the use of the apartment for assisted suicides, the local council said Wednesday. It was the second blow for the non-profit association this year, after it … Continue reading Reuters: NIMBY in Switzerland (and misreporting assisted suicide law) →

Minimally Conscious State, Research, and the Elephant in the Living Room

bioethics, life-ending decisions, Our News & Commentary Blog, research

In early August, before we started this blog, there was a flurry of attention given to the latest research showing an intervention that brought about remarkable improvement in a man who was in a “minimally conscious state.” This is not the first development in this area to make the news, but it might have created … Continue reading Minimally Conscious State, Research, and the Elephant in the Living Room →

More on Vatican Statement on Tube Feeding – Reactions and Overreactions

bioethics, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, vegetative state

Last week, this blog briefly covered the news regarding the new statement from the Vatican clarifying the Church’s position on the obligation to provide food and water by artificial means in countries with advanced technology and resources. In the entry on the AJOB Bioethics Blog, Kelly Hills expresses these concerns: The clarification becomes important because … Continue reading More on Vatican Statement on Tube Feeding – Reactions and Overreactions →

Do bioethicists actually read the stories they post on blogs?

bioethics, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, vegetative state

Last week, the news broke that the Vatican issued a ruling that “clarified” the Catholic Church’s position on artificial nutrition and hydration in regard to individuals diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. There will be more on this blog about this next week – mostly about some of the “the sky is falling” comments … Continue reading Do bioethicists actually read the stories they post on blogs? →

Calif.: Another Hospital Death, Documented Neglect and Fraud, But No One Did Anything Wrong

Our News & Commentary Blog, professional accountability

This newest case of apparent death through neglect and malpractice came to my attention by way of Penny Richards at the Disability Studies blog, in “Yes, it can happen. It does happen.” Penny has some good comments on the death of Linda Sue Brown, and I urge interested people to read them. But you also … Continue reading Calif.: Another Hospital Death, Documented Neglect and Fraud, But No One Did Anything Wrong →