Xavier Symons

Xavier Symons is a Masters student in philosophy at Sydney University and has a keen interest in bioethics. Aside from his studies he enjoys playing guitar and reading American literature. He has contributed to a number of online publications, in addition to his work with BioEdge.

Surrogate refuses $10,000 to abort child

Xavier Symons | 7 Mar 2013 |

tags: commercialization, surrogacy

A Connecticut couple offered their surrogate mother US$10,000 to abort their baby because it had major defects.

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Horror in a mass sterilization camp in India

Xavier Symons | 3 Mar 2013 |

tags: India, population control, sterilization

Earlier this month four doctors in a West Bengal public hospital performed up to 106 sterilization operations in a single day, with hospital staff dumping patients in a nearby field to recover.

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IVF is not a cause of cancer, study says

Xavier Symons | 3 Mar 2013 |

tags: health risks, IVF

A new study has found that IVF does not increase a women’s likelihood of developing breast or endometrial cancer.

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UK opens inquiry into abortion of disabled children

Xavier Symons | 22 Feb 2013 |

tags: abortion, disability, UK

The UK parliament has begun a controversial new inquiry into abortion on the grounds of disability.

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UK Down syndrome woman protected from sterilization

Xavier Symons | 22 Feb 2013 |

tags: down syndrome, forced sterilization, sterilization, uk

There is a growing push for greater rights for Down syndrome people – in particular that they be fully protected from forced sterilisation. A landmark ruling by a UK court may have brought this goal one step closer.

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Some Quebec doctors resisting drive for euthanasia

Xavier Symons | 22 Feb 2013 |

tags: euthanasia, Quebec

Some Quebec doctors are beginning to fight back against a drive for legalised euthanasia.

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Canadian doctors divided over euthanasia

Xavier Symons | 13 Feb 2013 |

tags: assisted suicide, Canada, euthanasia

In many Western nations most people support the legalization of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, according to opinion polls. But doctors - who must be involved - may feel differently.

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Virus research resumed after security controversy

Xavier Symons | 13 Feb 2013 |

tags: biosecurity, public health, research ethics

Research into airborne strains of chicken flu virus has recommenced, following a year and a half of international controversy and bioethical debate. Virologist Dr Ron Fouchier and his research team at the Erasmus Medical Centre in the Netherlands removed specimens of the virus from storage late last month.

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Assisted suicide debate moves south, to Connecticut

Xavier Symons | 7 Feb 2013 |

tags: assisted suicide, Connecticut

After being rebuffed in Massachusetts, the assisted suicide lobby has turned its eyes to neighbouring Connecticut, where euthanasia legislation is due to be debated later this year.

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Landmark “vegetative state” paper challenged

Xavier Symons | 6 Feb 2013 |

tags: consciousness, neuroscience, permanent vegetative state

US researchers have questioned the results of a landmark study in The Lancet from 2011 on awareness of “vegetative” patients.

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Ariel Sharon may be conscious

Xavier Symons | 1 Feb 2013 |

tags: consciousness, permanent vegetative state

The world’s most famous person in a permanent vegetative state is former Israeli Prime-Minister Ariel Sharon. He suffered a massive stroke seven years ago, and has been completely disabled ever since.

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“It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it”

Xavier Symons | 30 Jan 2013 |

tags: abortion, definition of life

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German cleric apologises over rape victim mistreatment

Xavier Symons | 30 Jan 2013 |

tags: Catholic Church, conscientious objection, Germany

A prominent German cleric has apologized after a possible rape victim was refused treatment at two Catholic hospitals. In a statement issued last week, Cardinal Joachim Miesner expressed his “deep shame” at the hospitals’ failure to provide the 25 year old German woman with an appropriate gynaecological examination. “[I am] deeply ashamed by this incident because it goes against our Christian mission” the cardinal said.

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