
blogs


New Study of Medical Students Reveals a Strong Support for Freedom of Conscience
A study in the Journal of Medical Ethics published yesterday showed that nearly 50% of medical students…

General Medical Council and Medical Defence Union endorse ‘tactful’ offers of prayer by GPs
The GP magazine Pulse reports in an exclusive this week on new guidance from the Medical Defence Union…

A life precious to God – how to cope when you find your unborn baby has special needs
There is a deeply heart-warming story in the Daily Mail today (July 18 2011) titled, ‘Doctors told…

Greater than Google – final reflections on the Developing Health Course
I'm back in the office after the Developing Health Course, analysing feedback forms, tying up loose ends…

Martin Pistorius: a story about faith, hope and love through ‘locked in syndrome’
The Sunday Times today tells the story of Martin Pistorius, a South African man who ended up paralysed…

Britain promotes media advertising for abortion whilst Russia attempts to curb it
The Daily Telegraph carried the story earlier this month that private clinics which carry out abortions…

Italy joins Bulgaria and France in blocking euthanasia legislation
Earlier this year I reported that France, Australia, Scotland, Israel and Canada had recently blocked…

Abortion and mental health: is there a link?
This is a question that has been the subject of many a debate in academia, in politics, in the public…

Is Treatment Becoming the New Prevention Fad for HIV & AIDS?
Two new studies (one in Kenya and Uganda, the other in Botswana) were published this week suggesting…

Emmerdale injects some reality into its depiction of the sequelae of assisted suicide
I am not an Emmerdale fan but I was interested to see the way the Soap is developing the story following…

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis is too high a price for a perfect baby
Last week the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) held its annual meeting…
Claims that GM embryos will help boost IVF success rates are pure spin
Claims by the Times newspaper (and the BBC) that allowing GM embryos will ‘give a massive boost to IVF success rates’ are pure spin aimed at seducing regulators into giving a green light for highly controversial research. Research scientist Dr Kathy Niakan, from the Francis Crick Institute in London, made her case last week to be the first […]
Serving students for Christ
As Head of Student Ministries at Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF), John Greenall spends his days ministering to students, helping them navigate minefields and make connections that keep them centred in Christ. ’I love working with students. I think there is nothing more exciting than investing in young lives,’ says John who has worked with CMF […]
Designing our descendants: Brave New Britain takes the lead again
There will be a number of individuals who will be absolutely delighted to hear that UK scientists are likely to be allowed to genetically engineer human embryos in the lab for the first time, using a powerful and efficient new technology. John Harris and Julian Savulescu have maintained for years that would-be parents are morally […]
‘I feel like CMF is family’
From her desk at the Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) in London, Vicky Lavy is writing an email. It is a message of comfort to a doctor in the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa. The doctor oversees a district health centre which was recently attacked by rebels. Eight people, including a nurse, have been […]
How God called me into communications
On a wall in John Martin’s office is a large year planner. It is like a road map, charting the purpose of John and his team, who comprise the communications department at Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF). Each year, John, CMF’s Head of Communications, and his team work with other departments on flagship programmes and projects […]
Have a heart for God
As Head of Graduate Ministries at Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF), Pablo Fernandez helps Christian doctors make much needed connections to other believers. It is a role he enjoys immensely. ‘What I like most about this role is its sense of purpose,’ says Pablo. ‘We have a very clear purpose of discipling, encouraging and equipping people. […]
A man with a heart for Jesus
From his tidy office, Graham Sopp and his team quietly make sure Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) and all its much needed ministries have the impact God intends. As Head of Operations, Graham oversees many of the central services that keep CMF functioning. ‘We are there to make sure other departments can do their work. We […]
Organ donation – Giving the gift of life
Two CMF members are using the Christmas season to share a special message about God’s love. As Christians get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Justin Thacker and Simon Howell are using their experiences to ask others to share Christ’s love and service in a new way – by signing up to become organ […]
Student bursaries for nurses and midwives: should they be scrapped?
Protests and petitions about the government’s proposal to scrap bursaries for student nurses and midwives from 2017 should surprise no one. Let’s look at some of the issues: Who is ‘For’ this Proposal and Why? UK university faculties in nursing and midwifery have actively been pushing the Treasury to scrap the system. It has led to a […]
Rape and fatal fetal abnormality: is legalising abortion the answer?
A high court judge ruled last week that Northern Ireland’s near ban on abortion breaches the human rights of women and girls, including rape victims. This ruling will affect women who are pregnant after rape or incest, and women carrying a fetus with a fatal abnormality. Both situations are incredibly traumatic for the pregnant […]
The wisdom of repugnance
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has just published its findings in answer to the question ‘what do we mean when we talk about nature, natural/ unnatural and ‘naturalness’? They set out five broad understandings of naturalness: 1. Neutral or sceptic – the view that there is no real distinction between natural and unnatural; ‘natural’ does […]
Why is the government giving preferential treatment to those backing compulsory sex education in schools?
Campaigners are pushing for sex and relationships education (SRE) to be made compulsory in all English schools (see here, here and here). Currently local authority maintained schools in England are obliged (See House of Commons briefing) to teach SRE from age 11 (year 7) upwards, and must have regard to the Government’s SRE guidance. Academies […]