All the news
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 dying in this country, accounting for 3.6% of deaths recorded in 2024. In the face of this ever-increasing...
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...
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 January, two experts from the Netherlands presented the implications of such an extension, based on the Dutch...
Palliative Care
How can palliative care be increased in a country that allows euthanasia?
In Belgium, palliative care is provided in a variety of settings (hospital, home, nursing home) in response to the demand of many patients to be able to choose where they receive this specific care. However, reports...
Abortion
Live births after late-term abortion are no exception
In Quebec, induced abortions during the second trimester of pregnancy result in a live birth more than one in ten times (11.2%). Of these live-born fetuses, one in ten survives more than 3 hours. These are the findings...
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Euthanasia in Ontario: over 400 breaches of the euthanasia law result in only reminders of the law
Between 2018 and 2023, more than 400 criminal offences involving euthanasia were recorded in Ontario. In 2024, doctors revealed this figure to the press, highlighting the facts contained in various reports from the...
In the spotlight
All the news
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
Alberta (Canada): a setback for the expansion of euthanasia?
Surrogacy: between freedom-restricting contracts and eugenic abortions
Euthanasia in cases of advanced dementia: a further extension of Belgian law?
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.