Age determination of unaccompanied asylum seeking minors in the European Union: a health law perspective.

In the European Union, unaccompanied asylum seekers below 18 years of age are entitled to specific treatment. Age assessment practices to verify the age-statement by the asylum seeker differ between EU Member States. Medical methods in use raise questions about accuracy, reliability and safety.

The one who chooses a country chooses its laws: health law and multicultural societies.

Health systems in Europe tangle with various cultural traditions and religious convictions and ethnic related specific health needs. Multicultural societies face health systems with challenges of human rights and values. When a person's right to freedom of religion comes into conflict with other interests of public health and the rights and freedoms of others, the freedom of religion might then be justifiably limited.

Patients' rights in a technology and market driven-Europe.

This article deals with the impact on patients' rights of medical and technological advances in a market oriented (European) society: what are the advantages and risks, what are the challenges that lay ahead of us? After introducing the subject matter, the first part deals with risks for patients' rights in the European cross border context (health care, direct to the public screening offers and biomedical research). The second part sketches some of the implications of innovation in health care and medical technology for patients' rights to autonomy and private life, particularly when third party interests are involved. The article ends with some suggestions on how best to protect patients' rights in the perspective of innovation in health care and medical research.

Developments in international/European health law.

International (European) organizations have impact on health law. The most recent developments are: a revision of the world Medical's Association Declaration of Helsinki, a proposal for a Directive (European Commission) on standards of quality and safety of human organs intended for transplantation, accompanied by a ten point action plan; a proposal (European Commission) for a Directive on the application of patients' rights in cross-border health care; a proposal (European commission) for a Directive on information to the general public on medicinal products subject to medical prescription.

Pharmacogenetics: a new challenge for health law.

Developments in pharmacogenetics make it possible to determine the genetic factors that influence variations in response to medicine. Differences in response to medication may be related to the genetic characteristics of the individual, to the genetic make-up of the diseased tissue or to both. Advantages include optimal therapeutic effect, safe medication, minimised side-effects, and development of medication for small groups of patients.