World Medical Association calls for a bilateral ceasefire in Gaza

The World Medical Association has called for a bilateral ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution was initiated by the British Medical Association. Dr Lujain AlQodmani, the Kuwaiti president of the WMA, declared that: “WMA is demanding a bilateral, negotiated, and sustainable ceasefire in order to protect all civilians, secure the release and safe passage of all

The role of whistleblowers in uncovering medical scandals

Doctors can be socialized to cooperate in morally despicable evil, says bioethicist May 9, 2024 – Michael Cook Bioethicist Carl Elliott seems to relish stirring up fellow bioethicists and the medical profession. In his latest book, The Occasional Human Sacrifice: Medical Experimentation and the Price of Saying No, he examines the role of whistleblowers in uncovering

Are American bioethicists out of touch

Outsiders often complain that bioethicists are out of touch with and unrepresentative of mainstream America. The authors of a fascinating article in AJOB surveyed bioethicists to get an idea of the background of their colleagues. The result? Yes, they are unrepresentative. In one telling finding, 87% of bioethicists described themselves as politically liberal — compared

Healthy lifestyle may offset genetics by 60% and add five years to life

Genetics alone can mean a 21% greater risk of early death, research finds, but people can improve their chances Andrew Gregory Health editor A healthy lifestyle may offset the impact of genetics by more than 60% and add another five years to your life, according to the first study of its kind. It is well

American school meals with reduced levels of sugar and sodium

For years, it has been realised that in industrialised or developed countries more sugar and salt is consumed than is good for health. In Great Britain a few years ago, steps were taken to offer healthier meals at school. A US government agency announced that meals served in schools must have reduced levels of added

Spreading of bird flu, Western food and missing girls

Six-year-old Tamir Munkhbayar is training to become a child jockey CREDIT: Simon Townsley Horse riding and racing is deeply ingrained in Mongolia’s nomadic heritage. But a requirement for riders to weigh no more than 35 kg means that competitors in national, provincial and local contests are always young children. The dangerous custom has killed at

What attracted attention in the second half of April 2024

April 16 2024 Spire of Copenhagen’s historic stock exchange collapses as building burns Moment spire collapses CREDIT: DR Nyheder A major fire broke out at Copenhagen’s old stock exchange on Tuesday morning, collapsing the twirled spire that was once an integral part of the Danish capital’s skyline. Click here to see more footage of the

Corporate high flyers and Zooming

Corporate high flyers 83% In a study of 328 global companies, nonprofit Transport & Environment said this is the share that do not have credible plans to reduce their employees’ emissions from flying. Why not Zoom instead? “Years after the corporate world learned to connect and collaborate with fewer flights, many companies are yet to lift a finger

Genocide in Gaza as an Opportunity

  Palestinian citizens of Israel – 1.5 million people, or 20% of Israel’s population – are considered a national, ethnic, linguistic, and religious minority under international human rights law.   If what is currently happening in the occupied Palestinian West Bank took place before October 7, our attention would have been completely fixated on that

About sleep and other matters

Dorjoo Borkhuu, four, struggles to get one of his family’s cows to its feet in sub-zero conditions CREDIT: SImon Townsley The strain of exertion spreads across the little Mongolian boy’s face as he grabs hold of a rope fastened around a slumped cow’s neck, bends his knees and heaves with every muscle in his body