Germany

German ethicists can’t agree on humanized animals

Michael Cook | 01 October 2011

The German Ethics Council (Deutscher Ethikrat) has recommended that researchers be allowed to insert human genes into mice in a major report on human-animal mixtures.

Germany legalises pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

Michael Cook | 09 July 2011

The German parliament has legalised pre-implantation genetic diagnosis after a long debate over three competing proposals. The bill was passed on a conscience vote. PGD involves testing a cell from an early-stage embryo for genetic defects. If the embryo is unsuitable, it is destroyed.

German docs keep ban on assisted suicide

Michael Cook | 02 July 2011

After a heated debate German doctors have voted to maintain a ban on doctors assisting patients who wish to commit suicide. The vote was convincing: 166 against 56, with 7 abstentions. The president of the Federal Medical Council, Joerg-Dietrich Hoppe, declared: "Physicians must assist the dying, while respecting their dignity and respecting their intentions. But they are forbidden to kill patients at their request. You must not assist a suicide. "

Europe’s biggest stem cell clinic shut down after baby’s death

Jared Yee | 14 May 2011

In a case which is a veritable cocktail of bioethical issues, Europe’s biggest stem cell clinic has been shut down.

Germany to start paying families to use IVF to reverse shrinking birthrate

Jared Yee | 14 May 2011

Germany is on the verge of providing a curious solution for its sharply declining birthrate: paying couples to have IVF treatment.

Court rules surrogate children have no right to German passport

Jared Yee | 05 May 2011

A German court ruled this week that a child born to a surrogate mother in India has no right to a passport even though the father is German.

German Medical Association eases assisted suicide regulations

Jared Yee | 25 February 2011

Liberalisation puts focus on consciences of doctors

German doctors set to support assisted suicide

Michael Cook | 03 February 2011

Support growing in Germany despite opposition

Germany tries to increase organ donation

Michael Cook | 11 September 2010

But with not an opt-out system

German court allows genetic diagnosis of IVF embryos

Jared Yee | 09 July 2010

Landmark ruling

New wrinkle in German advance directives

Michael Cook | 28 June 2010

German court decides that living wills need not be written down.

Leading German doctor backs assisted suicide

Michael Cook | 02 April 2010

Book just published