The “Terminally Ill Adults Bill” in England and Wales: Which questions are relevant, and which ones are not?
The Terminally Illl Adults (End of Life) Bill is really about the nature and role of the healthcare profession
The “Terminally Ill Adults Bill” in England and Wales: Which questions are relevant, and which ones are not?
Court rules that patients have a right to disbelieve doctors
Dominic Wilkinson, University of Oxford; Bryanna Moore, University of Rochester, and Johnna Wellesley, The University of Texas Medical Branch There is a clear ethical and legal principle that adults have a right to make decisions about their health. This is sometimes called the principle of patient autonomy. That is, of course, why doctors need patients’… Read More »Court rules that patients have a right to disbelieve doctors
Is it ever OK for scientists to experiment on themselves?
Jonathan Pugh, University of Oxford; Dominic Wilkinson, University of Oxford, and Julian Savulescu, University of Oxford This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A virologist named Beata Halassy recently made headlines after publishing a report of successfully treating her own breast cancer by self-administering an experimental… Read More »Is it ever OK for scientists to experiment on themselves?
What are the Ethics of Sending a Person to a Country They are not From?
Written by Eliora Henzler, MSt in Practical Ethics, University of Oxford EXTRATERRITORIAL MIGRATION MANAGEMENT How can states ethically justify deporting individuals to third countries? In October 2024, a ship of the Italian coast guard disembarked in the port of Shëngjin, in Albania. After a few days, it began a voyage in the opposite direction. Italy… Read More »What are the Ethics of Sending a Person to a Country They are not From?
(Bio)technology and what makes us human
Andrew Moeller, Faculty of History Alberto Giubilini, Uehiro Oxford Institute Themes from the conference “Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, and Human Identity” (Medical Humanities Programme) Crossposted from TORCH Medical Humanities The conference “Biotechnologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Human Identity” brought together a crowded room to hear 12 speakers engage in lively discussion on whether and how technologies such… Read More »(Bio)technology and what makes us human
Declaration of Helsinki turns 60 – how this foundational document of medical ethics has stood the test of time
The declaration of Helsinki recently turned 60, but don’t feel bad if you missed the celebrations. It probably passed unnoticed by most people not working in the medical field – and possibly even a good few in the field. If you’re not familiar with the declaration – adopted by the World Medical Association on October… Read More »Declaration of Helsinki turns 60 – how this foundational document of medical ethics has stood the test of time
Guest Post: Must Antinatalists Be Pessimists?
Written by Dr Matti Häyry, PhD, Professor of Philosophy of Management, Aalto University School of Business (Academic Visitor at the Oxford Uehiro Centre, University of Oxford, 2007–2008) Antinatalism is being against reproduction, typically on altruistic grounds. Applied to humans, this means not having children in the trepidation that their lives could be miserable. A prominent… Read More »Guest Post: Must Antinatalists Be Pessimists?
Friend AI: Personal Enhancement or Uninvited Company?
written by Christopher Register You can now pre-order a friend—or, a Friend, which is designed to be an AI friend. The small, round device contains AI-powered software and a microphone, and it’s designed to be worn on a lanyard around the neck at virtually any time. The austere product website says of Friend that, “When… Read More »Friend AI: Personal Enhancement or Uninvited Company?
Launch of the Uehiro Oxford Institute
Today we’re launching the Uehiro Oxford Institute – a new interdisciplinary research institute at the University of Oxford. We look forward to new collaborations, research and engagement in helping us to achieve our new mission, responding to the ethical question of how we should act and live in light of the great challenges faced by… Read More »Launch of the Uehiro Oxford Institute
Are psychedelic Experiences Intrinsically Valuable?
By Katherine Cheung, David B. Yaden, and Brian D. Earp Classic psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD, are currently being studied for their potential therapeutic impact — primarily in conjunction with some form of psychotherapy — on a variety of conditions. Within such a clinical frame, the potential value of psychedelic-assisted therapy is largely assumed… Read More »Are psychedelic Experiences Intrinsically Valuable?