The Institute of Medical Ethics

29/09/2025

The Covid inquiry raises a perfect example of balancing public health against individual rights and interests (in this case the educational needs of children)

Was this act, to benefit the greater good, necessary?


The Independent

Schools were closed to most children in the pandemic amid fears over spread of the coronavirus.

24/09/2025

With International Safe Abortion Day shortly approaching (28th Sept), the World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its list of essential medicines in 2025, to include two drugs used to induce abortions.

Do you think this reflects a stance on abortion? Or a recognition of the consequences of not providing safe abortion options?

International Safe Abortion Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of safe, respectful and rights-based abortion care as a fundamental part of health and human rights.

08/09/2025

With the projected price increase of Mounjaro (a weight loss injection) of possibly 170%, we are revisiting a previous article discussing the ethics of weight-loss injections.

What are your thoughts?

https://jme.bmj.com/content/early/2025/03/20/jme-2024-110374

Journal of Medical Ethics (JME)

Semaglutide, sold under the brand names of Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, is one of the most popular drugs on the market. Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, semaglutide is the newest in a family of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists used most commonly to treat type II diabetes. To date, the results...

06/08/2025

Ethics and policy considerations that may arise when considering lab-grown eggs and s***m: Nuffield report.

Take a read and share your thoughts:

https://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/news-blog/new-report-identifies-key-ethical-and-policy-considerations-which-should-inform-any-future-regulation-of-lab-grown-eggs-and-s***m/

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB), in partnership with the Future of Human Reproduction research programme, have published an overview of ethical and policy questions that arise in relation to in vitro gametogenesis.

05/08/2025

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate Prof. Richard Huxtable once again for receiving the Ted Shotter Lifetime Achievement for Endeavour in Medical Ethics!

https://ime-uk.org/events-and-news/news/the-ted-shotter-lifetime-achievement-for-endeavour-in-medical-ethics/

28/07/2025

An interesting take on the resident doctors' strike and the ethics of harm:

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/ethics-doctor-strikes-rethinking-harm-2025a1000czm

What are your thoughts?

British Medical Association Medscape

When NHS doctors go on strike, can any harm be justified in the pursuit of systemic long-term improvements?

11/07/2025

Day 2 of the IME National Conference at Austin Court, Birmingham. A extra warm welcome today as the weather is going to be scorchio 🥵, so please keep hydrated 🫗 throughout the day.

10/07/2025

The first day of the IME conference ended with a social with live music and a BBQ in the courtyard at Austin Court. It has been a full packed day of keynote speakers, parallel sessions and breakout groups.

Tomorrow continues with another full day and we look forward to those that can make it, and a big thanks to everyone who attended today, made the day special.

10/07/2025

Taking a break from this mornings sessions.

10/07/2025

Kicking off our annual conference with a look at the greatest achievements, successes and influence for the future of medical ethic and the IME from our outstanding panel.

10/07/2025

A warm welcome awaits all delegates who are attending the first day of our national conference at Austin Court, Birmingham. If you need assistance, please use your conference app or email us on contact@ime-uk.org.

08/07/2025

Only 2 days to go until our National Conference.

Thank you to all who have secured your place. You should have received an email with all the details you need, along with downloading our conference app.

Not received these details? then please email us on contact@ime-uk.org.

Final few places available here: https://ime-uk.org/events-and.../events/ime-2025-conference/