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Does Female Genital Mutilation Have Health Benefits? The Problem with Medicalizing Morality
Does Female Genital Mutilation Have Health Benefits? The Problem with Medicalizing Morality By Brian D. Earp (@briandavidearp) Four members of the Dawoodi Bohra sect of Islam living in Detroit, Michigan have recently been indicted on charges of female genital mutilation (FGM). This is the first time the US government has prosecuted an “FGM” case since a federal law was passed…
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What the Present Debate About Autonomous Weapons is Getting Wrong
Author: Michael Robillard Many people are deeply worried about the prospect of autonomous weapons systems (AWS). Many of these worries are merely contingent, having to do with issues like unchecked proliferation or potential state abuse. Several philosophers, however, have advanced a stronger claim, arguing that there is, in principle, something morally wrong with the use…
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We are Hiring: Research Fellow in Bioethics & Research Fellow in Neuroethics
We are delighted to announce two new vacancies at the new Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities and the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics. Follow the links below for information including how to apply: Research Fellow in Bioethics Research Fellow in Neuroethics
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Why Vegetarians Should Be Prepared to Bend Their Own Rules
Alberto Giubilini Republished from Aeon Magazine It’s a common enough scenario. A vegetarian has been invited to a friend’s place for dinner. The host forgets that the guest is a vegetarian, and places a pork chop in front of her. What is she to do? Probably her initial feelings will be disgust and repulsion. Vegetarians…
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Animal Welfare, Reducing Meat Consumption and the Instrumental Use of Moral Reasons
Author: Rebecca Brown In this post, I consider how moral reasons may be used instrumentally – that is, to bring about some desired end. I take as an example the public debate around reducing meat consumption. I suggest that although animal welfare is recognised as important in a number of contexts, it is rarely used…
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Can We Trust Research in Science and Medicine?
By Brian D. Earp (@briandavidearp) Readers of the Practical Ethics Blog might be interested in this series of short videos in which I discuss some of the major ongoing problems with research ethics and publication integrity in science and medicine. How much of the published literature is trustworthy? Why is peer review such a poor quality control mechanism? How can we…
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Hard lessons: learning from the Charlie Gard case
by Dominic Wilkinson and Julian Savulescu On the 24th July 2017, the long-running, deeply tragic and emotionally fraught case of Charlie Gard reached its sad conclusion (Box 1). Following further medical assessment of the infant, Charlie’s parents and doctors finally reached agreement that continuing medical treatment was not in Charlie’s best interests. It is…
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Press Release – “The Worst Outcome” Prof Dominic Wilkinson
This afternoon the long-running, deeply tragic and emotionally fraught legal dispute over treatment of Charlie Gard reached its sad and sadly inevitable conclusion. Following further medical assessment of Charlie by several international experts, Charlie’s parents and doctors finally reached agreement that continuing life support and experimental treatment could not help him. This is the worst possible…
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Press Release – “Vale Charlie” Prof Julian Savulescu
Vale Charlie At some point in all of our lives, we have to let go. One can only admire Connie Yates and Chris Gard who fought so hard for Charlie. However, we should continue to question the original decision, and the way in which these decisions are made. Even if it is too late…
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Medical tourism for controversial treatment options
By Dominic Wilkinson Baby C’s parents had done their research. They had read widely about different options for C and had clear views about what they felt would be best for their child. They had asked a number of doctors in this country, but none were willing to provide the treatment. After contacting some…