Further stem cell advance brings clinical trials with ethically produced embryonic-like stem cells one step closer
Ethical stem cell treatments for diseases like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis…
Margo Macdonald’s criticisms of the Care Not Killing Alliance are without foundation
In the two hour debate that immediately preceded the overwhelming 85-16 defeat of her End of Life assistance…
Overwhelming defeat for Margo Macdonald’s End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill
Tonight, the Scottish Parliament has voted overwhelmingly by 85 to 16 to reject Margo Macdonald's End…
The vast majority of the members of Lord Falconer’s new commission on assisted dying are well-known names in the pro-legalisation lobby
Today I went by invitation to the launch of Lord Falconer’s Commission on ‘Assisted Dying’ at…
Further disclosures about Lord Falconer’s Commission on Assisted Dying raise more questions about transparency and independence
The Commission on 'Assisted Dying', due to be launched on Tuesday 30 November, has attracted some more…
By focusing exclusively on HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB, Western governments and NGOs have neglected other easily treatable and curable diseases
Micah Challenge is a global coalition of Christians holding governments to account for their promise…
Serious questions raised about status and independence of new Commission on ‘Assisted Dying’
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) last week ran a story about a new Commission on ‘Assisted Dying’…
17th Century lesson for medical students today
Thomas Sydenham, a man of deep Christian faith who many regard as the father of English medicine, said…
Death of a tea lady – the unforeseen effects of a bad management decision
When I was a general surgical registrar in Auckland, New Zealand the 'management era' was just beginning.…
Scottish GPs add their voices to those calling for final burial of Scottish ‘End of Life Assistance Bill’. Read final committee conclusions here.
A GROUP of 47 GPs have united in opposition to moves at the Scottish Parliament to legalise assisted…
The Committee scrutinizing Margo MacDonald’s Bill have recommended that it be rejected – now it is time for MSPs finally to bury it
I have previously blogged about Margo MacDonald's End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill which seeks…
The Supreme Court steps where politicians fear to tread
‘What is a woman?’ It’s the question that causes even seasoned politicians to break out in a cold sweat. We are currently awaiting a verdict from the UK Supreme Court, which is attempting to settle the question legally, once and for all. The hearing is the culmination of a long-running case, initially brought by campaigners […]
a day of darkness and expectation
I was deeply saddened as the speaker of the House of Commons read out today that Kim Leadbeater’s private members bill had passed its second reading with 330 MPs voting in favour and 275 against. Many CMF members and friends have met each evening throughout November to pray that the Lord would prevent this outcome. […]
legalisation of ‘assisted dying ‘ opposed by the British Geriatrics Society
Ahead of the forthcoming second reading of the Leadbeater ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’, the British Geriatrics Society (BGS) has published its current position statement on this vital issue on 31 October, based on an open, anonymised, and invited survey of its cross-professional membership, analysed and delivered by an openly constituted and transparent […]
a palliative care doctor’s response to the Leadbeater Bill
November 29, 2024, is a day that could be pivotal in our nation’s history. No turning back. However, I believe it won’t be, not if we unite. A few weeks ago, the story of David and Goliath was preached in my church. Never has a sermon spoken to me more clearly. As my husband gripped […]
what is Kim Leadbeater proposing?
With less than three weeks until MPs will be asked to debate and vote on her Bill, Kim Leadbeater has finally published the text of her ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’. Amidst busy schedules, this hardly seems a reasonable time frame for MPs to consider what Ms Leadbeater herself said is ‘potentially one […]
Truth and trust in transplantation
Transplant medicine is one of the greatest medical advances of the last century, but public trust is essential for it to attract potential donors – both living and deceased. For deceased donations to progress in most countries, even if the donor has expressed a wish to be a donor, their family members generally have to […]
Dying with dignity? The problems with the latest move to legalise assisted suicide
Dying with dignity in a caring, compassionate environment, surrounded by those we love. I don’t think anyone would want their or any other person’s end of life to be anything other than like this. However, how we achieve such a good death has become an increasingly hot topic of controversy. The fundamental disagreement over the […]
We are a multitude of voices
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who […]
What can we say as Christians about the Lord Darzi Rapid Review on the state of the English NHS?
Ara Darzi’s independent review into the performance of National Health Service (NHS) England, commissioned soon after the Labour election victory in July, was published on 12 September. The report has been well received as an honest appraisal of the current state of the NHS. The fact that the NHS is in serious trouble will come […]
Legalising assisted suicide: why now?
The papers are reporting that Sir Keir Starmer supports fast-tracking a bill to make a seismic change in British law. He reportedly wants to legalise assisting the suicide of terminally ill adults with a vote in parliament before Christmas. But why is this apparently among his top priorities? Whilst some high-profile supporters of assisted suicide […]
The NMC Code in the light of Jesus – ‘Preserve Safety’
(Read The Code online – The Nursing and Midwifery Council (nmc.org.uk) I have recently been prompted to re-engage with our Nursing and Midwifery Code of Professional Conduct, and in this blog, I consider this in light of the biblical principles by which I seek to live my life. Perhaps one of the things that prompted […]
Speak kindly – your comatose patient may be listening
At least ‘one quarter of people with brain injuries who seem unresponsive can hear things going on around them and might even be able to use brain-computer interfaces to communicate‘, according to a recent article in Nature. We have little idea of how many patients there are in the UK with Prolonged (more than six […]