Is blood thicker than water? Perceptions on the role of stepparents in medical decisions among minors.

Alternative family configurations are becoming more prevalent, yet current legislative statutory does not support stepparents in medical decisions for their stepchildren. We investigate opinions of Belgian and Dutch adults regarding inclusion of stepparents in medical decision-making in minors. We make two observations.

Walking the Line: Balancing Access to Research and Protecting Prisoners.

Prisoners are often excluded from participating in clinical research (ie clinical trials and clinical investigations related to medicinal products and medical devices) due to the historical precedent of their abuse and exploitation. The exclusion of prisoners from clinical research is often deemed necessary to guarantee their protection from such abuse and exploitation. However, in this article, we argue that the right to science, which encompasses the right to access the benefits of science and research participation, is an emerging human right that is applicable to prisoners and may only be limited when this is necessary and proportionate.