All the news
Abortion
US study: complications caused by abortion pill for more than 10% of women
A study published by the American think tank The Ethics and Public Policy Center reveals that complications occur in more than 10% of women who have used the abortion pill Mifeprex (the brand name for mifepristone) as part of a medical abortion in the United States. This figure is 22 times higher than indicated...
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Canada: UN recommends banning euthanasia for people whose death is not ‘reasonably foreseeable’
On 18 March 2025, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) adopted its concluding observations. These observations are part of the review of the periodic reports submitted by Canada...
Artificial Intelligence
AI in healthcare: helping or hindering decision-making?
Support for diagnosis, reduction of medical errors, and less time spent on administrative tasks are just some of the promises offered by artificial intelligence technologies in the healthcare sector. However, according...
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
+16,6% : why does the number of euthanasia cases continue to increase in Belgium?
In 2024, 3,991 euthanasia cases were recorded in Belgium by the Commission responsible for reviewing them, marking a clear increase (+16.6%) compared to 2023.
Euthanasia is thus becoming an increasingly frequent way of...
Fertility and Pregnancy
Spinal muscular atrophy: promising treatment administered for the first time to foetuses during pregnancy
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary genetic disease characterised by the progressive destruction of the nerve cells that control the body's movements. Until now, treatments were implemented after birth to try to slow the progression of the disease.
Organ Donation
Between hope and organ shortage, uterus transplants raise ethical questions
For the first time in Belgium, a child has been born following a uterus transplant. To date, 65 children have been born in this way around the world. This small number is due to the difficulty of finding uterus donors....
Organ Donation
The Netherlands: opening of foetal biobank has led to surge in donations of foetal tissue after abortion
According to a study published in 2024 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, donations of foetal tissue after abortion have increased significantly in the Netherlands, from 1.2% (8 donations out of 663...
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Proposed extension of Belgian euthanasia law: critical feedback from the Netherlands
Hearings are continuing in the Federal Parliament on the proposed law to extend euthanasia to people who have become incapable of expressing their wishes, on the basis of an advance declaration.
On Wednesday 22...
In the spotlight
All the newsNews
Extending euthanasia to include mental health conditions: will Canada have a change of heart?
Genetic modification of human embryos: a gateway to eugenics?
France: Will the government force through the euthanasia bill?
Bereavement leave in the event of euthanasia: will it be possible to change one’s mind?
Belgium – Proposed liberalisation of abortion laws: 12, 14 or 18 weeks – a scientific question or an ethical choice?
Belgium: care for people with disabilities under scrutiny from the UN
Our Themes
Beginning of Life
End of Life
Rights and Freedoms
Stay informed
Subscribe to our free newsletter!
Support the IEB
To carry out its activities, the IEB relies solely on the enthusiasm and motivation of private donors.
Any donation of €40 or more to the IEB is tax-deductible in Belgium, allowing you to reclaim 30% of your donation.