Medical Ethics

The Latest

Downtown view of Jefferson City, Missouri, with the State Capitol at dusk.

Missouri lawmaker says controversial bill won't outlaw ectopic pregnancy treatment

Mar 17, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A Missouri lawmaker plans to amend a bill concerning ectopic pregnancies to allay concerns that it would outlaw treatment for... Read more

Alta Fixsler

Alta Fixsler: Family friend says U.K. hospital can remove toddler’s life support ‘any time’

Aug 14, 2021

By Katie Yoder

The Fixsler family is fighting to keep their 2-year-old daughter, Alta, on life support in the U.K. But the Hasidic... Read more

‘Utter disregard’ for life: Members of Congress slam new guidance on embryo research

May 28, 2021

Two members of Congress this week criticized new guidance by a leading scientific organization removing prohibitions on research of human... Read more

As UK lawmakers revisit assisted suicide, palliative care prof says ‘aid in dying’ advocacy misleads

May 21, 2021

A peer in the House of Lords has put forward a proposal to revisit the legalization of assisted suicide in... Read more

Swedish hospital praised for halting gender-transitioning for children under 16

May 6, 2021

Swedish doctors will no longer prescribe hormones or drugs to halt or delay puberty for children under the age of... Read more

Stock image via Shutterstock

‘An affront to human dignity’: Ethicists react to death of Michael Hickson

Jul 1, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

Ethicists and disability rights activists have expressed grave concerns over reports of the recent death of Michael Hickson, a black... Read more

Sign outside the Department for Health and Human Services, Washington DC. Via Shutterstock

HHS clarifies protections for coronavirus patients with disabilities

Mar 28, 2020

“In this time of emergency, the laudable goal of providing care quickly and efficiently must be guided by the fundamental... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 11, 2019.

Pope Francis to doctors: Assisted suicide is 'false compassion'

Sep 20, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis told a group of Italian doctors Friday they must resist the temptation to participate in assisted suicide or... Read more

Pope Francis addresses the International Federation of Associations of Catholic Physicians at the Vatican, May 28, 2018.

'The Church is for life', Francis tells Catholic physicians

May 28, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Ideologies which do not acknowledge and uphold the dignity of human life must be resisted and the Catholic Church’s teaching... Read more

Vatican unveils updated healthcare charter as new ethical questions arise

Feb 10, 2017

By Elise Harris

The Vatican has issued an updated version of their charter for healthcare workers, removing question marks from modern ethical concerns... Read more

A view of St. Paul's Hospital.

Catholic bioethicist advises caution in Jahi McMath case

Jan 4, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

The “tragic” case of teenage girl Jahi McMath – now at the center of a legal controversy over brain death... Read more

Dr. Cristoph von Ritter speaks with CNA on Nov. 21, 2013

Doctor warns of 'utilitarian' anthropology in care of elderly

Nov 22, 2013

By Elise Harris

During a conference for health care workers, a Swiss doctor spoke of the world’s increasing elderly population, noting the importance... Read more

CMA members at the 2013 March for Life in Washington D.C.

Catholic Medical Association sees growth in troubled times

Jun 19, 2013

By Kevin J. Jones

The Catholic Medical Association has seen “steady growth” in membership, providing fellowship for Catholic medical professionals as conscience rights and... Read more