Genetically Modified v Cloning
What is genetically modified? - except humans - genetic material has been altered - not by natural mating or natural recombination - key regulations: EC Regulation 1829/2003 & EU Directive 2001/18/EC What is cloning? - producing genetically identical individuals of an organism - either naturally (through asexual reproduction) or - artificially ( through copies of cells or DNA fragments) - key regulatory bodies: European Food Safety Authority, European Parliament & European Co
W v Egdell [1990]
A paranoid schizophrenic was detained in a secure hospital because he had shot 7 people, killing 5 and wounding 2. A psychiatrist was requested to evaluate his condition to prepare the transfer to a less secure facility / eventual release. The psychiatrist learned that the patient has interest in guns and bombs predated his disease. The psychiatrist sent the report to the hospital and the tribunal. The patient claimed the doctor had breached his duty of confidentiality. The c
W Healthcare NHS Trust v H and Another [2004]
A 59-year-old lady suffering from multiple sclerosis. Patient was severely disabled but not in permanent vegetative state. Her family appealed against a refusal of an order allowing the doctors to bring her life to an end. Re-insertion of percutaneous gastrostomy tube opposed by patient's family. Judgment: The judge came to the conclusion that at present state he cannot say that life prolonging treatment would provide no benefit, and death by, in effect, starvation would be e
Northwick Park hospital clinical trial incident in 2006
Six healthy young men were treated for organ failure after experiencing a serious reaction within hours of taking the CD28-SuperMAB in a clinical trial despite being administered at a supposed sub-clinical dose of 0.1 mg per kg which is 500 times lower than the dose found safe in animals. CD28-SuperMAB is an immunomodulatory drug intended for treatment of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and rheumatoid arthritis. It is a humanised monocloncal antibody that is a strong ago
Slippery Slope in Netherlands
This was based on the presentation at WFRtDS conference by Laura De Vito who is the legal representative of NVVE. NVVE is the largest right-to-die organization in Netherlands. Definition of Slippery Slope The idea that a relatively small first step leads to a chain of related events culminating in significance. Main Worries 1. absence of terminal illness or dying phase (no figures) 2. dementia (increasing number of cases) 3. age issue (remained stable in numbers) 4. completed
Neuro-scientific Rationale for Assisted Suicide
This was based on the presentation made by President of WFRtDS Sean Davison. 1. Public believes suicide is an irrational thought. - Actually, suicide is a rational thought and can be the most rational thought a human can have. 2. Rational decision made by frontal lobe. - The frontal lobe evolved to inhibit selected motor responses and suicide thought belongs to higher intellect. 3. Amygdala tries to avoid uncertainty and that's why we want to have death choice. 4. There are m