An experimental cancer drug shrinks tumours in rats with no apparent side effects. The scientists behind the study plan to do a clinical trial in humans, but it could take years to complete. Meanwhile, dying patients begin taking the unapproved drug and collect their results on the web. Both groups desperately want to save lives: [...]

Mayo Clinic Study Shows Drug-Eluting Stent Use in Heart Patients Determined More by Insurance Type, Hospital Location than Medical Condition
If you want the best technology available to relieve blocked blood flow to the heart, the choice is a drug-eluting stent. And you are most likely to obtain the drug-eluting stent for reasons that have nothing [...]

The federal government set the first national standards protecting living organ donors with new rules that require transplant centers to detail the risks of surgery and provide independent advocates to protect donors’ interests.
Hospitals that fall short of the new standards could lose Medicare reimbursement for the expensive procedures.
The regulation, more than two years in the [...]

Interest groups are expressing their concern regarding the new HPV vaccine, Gardasil.  DC lawmakers are discussing whether the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine should be a legal requirement for young girls in order to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer.
The vaccine is said to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases in females caused by certain [...]

Jennifer Raper, 45, gave birth to a daughter on December 7, 2004 after a failed abortion.  Last week, the mother filed a complaint against the two responsible doctors and Planned Parenthood for the failed abortion, seeking damages including child-rearing costs.
The mother discovered that she was pregnant in March 2004 and sought an abortion, for financial reasons, through Planned Parenthood on [...]

Hurricane Katrina highlighted the need for a greater understanding on how to handle emergency cases ethically.  In particular there is a great need for education and training on palliative care, euthanasia, and the just allocation of scarce resources.  This training is necessary to be properly prepared for the next emergency and to reduce hospitals, nurses and doctors’ liability of [...]