News
Maternal Mortality Rate (International)
Peru accepted a law that acknowledges that life starts at conception. Abortion is still allowed when the mother’s life is in danger, but each unborn child has the right to dignity, life, and integrity, just like any other person. According to Dr Calum Miller, the claim that these strict laws will cause more women to … Read more
Cannabis Stock Market Failure (South Africa)
Labat Africa, the largest cannabis-focused company in South Africa, has been suspended from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The suspension, announced on October 24, 2023, was due to Labat’s failure to comply with JSE Listings Requirements by not publishing its financial statements. Labat’s shares were trading at 0.07 cents before the suspension. After its stock … Read more
Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis use: umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and observational studies (Canada)
A groundbreaking Canadian umbrella review spanning 2008 to 2022 examined 101 meta-analysis of cannabis studies, revealing associations with poor mental health, impaired cognition, increased motor vehicle accident risk, and potential harm to offspring during pregnancy. The umbrella review emphasises the avoidance of cannabis, particularly in neurodevelopmentally critical phases like adolescence. Given the onset of mental … Read more
The American College of Surgeons issues a warning on the adverse effects of cannabis on surgery (USA)
Their comprehensive statement delves into the following impact of cannabis: Respiration: Cannabis affects the airways making it harder to place a breathing tube for anaesthesia. Cardiac effects: Cannabis affects heart rate and blood pressure and has the potential to increase risks of a heart attack and/or stroke. Pain management: Cannabis interferes with pain control and … Read more
UN Bureaucrats Pick Fight with EU Parliament on Prostitution (USA)
A new UN report counters that “any forms of criminalization of prostitution, including criminalization of clients and ‘third parties’ related activities” ultimately harms prostitutes. Besides standing in opposition to the European Parliament, the UN report is out of step with the UN General Assembly’s own recommendations to fight trafficking, according to Marcel van der Watt, Director of … Read more
Medical Aid in Dying: Euphemism of Choice for Assisted Suicide (USA)
The term “assist” inherently implies providing support or aid in an action. In contrast, “suicide” specifically refers to the deliberate and voluntary act of ending one’s life, focusing on the action itself, not the motivation behind it. Therefore, the term “assisted suicide” is both accurate and descriptive. The key point remains suicide is suicide, and … Read more
Pennsylvania nurse linked to 17 nursing home deaths (USA)
Heather Pressdee faces grave charges for killing 17 patients by administering excessive insulin doses. She targeted both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, often choosing overnight shifts to evade immediate hospitalization. The victims’ ages spanned from 43 to 104. Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, Michelle Henry, expressed profound dismay at a nurse betraying the trust of patients and underscored … Read more
MAiD impacts the development of palliative care and society as a whole (Canada)
The legalization of Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) in Canada has significant implications for palliative care and societal attitudes. MAiD is presented as a therapeutic option to patients, even without their request. There is a concerning lack of development in palliative care, with only 15% of those who need it having access, and a shortage … Read more
Bereavement outcomes for family members of individuals who engaged in MAID (USA)
A study investigates bereavement outcomes following Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). Several studies found that bereaved family members or friends of individuals who chose MAID often experienced poor outcomes, including conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, complicated grief, depression, and anxiety. Protective factors for better bereavement outcomes included preparedness for death, place of death, a sense … Read more