International biolaw

Greece has recently amended its legislation on medically assisted reproduction , extending the conditions under which surrogacy can be practiced and introducing one of the most liberalised regime of surrogacy in Europe. The aim of this paper is to investigate, in a comparative perspective, the consequences of these new provisions, taking also into account the Italian legal framework, considered one of the most restrictive at the European level – in the perspective of the most recent developments of the European Court of Human Rights' case law. In particular, the paper focuses on the problem of the guarantee of the best interests of the child born through surrogacy and on the legal issues related to the phenomenon of cross-border surrogacy.

The brokerage contract is frequently used in our daily life. It is an important contract for the circulation of wealth and improvement of brokerage services. Mediation is a key element for those who hire a broker, since it saves time and avoids the unpleasant duty of looking for someone who is interested in buying a property. Little is published to date in Brazil about this type of contract. The objective of this study is clarify the key concepts of a brokerage contract and analyze relevant issues resulting from a brokerage contract in both brazilian and foreign law systems.

SOMMARIO: 1. La genetica delle popolazioni. -2. Persone, materiali e informazioni dal punto di vista del diritto. -3. Tipologie di biobanche: presupposti scientifici e problemi giuridici. -4. Regolamentazione giuridica delle biobanche. -5. Un significativo caso presso la Corte Suprema islandese. -6. Il fallimento di deCODE Genetics. -7. Biobanche, privacy e il limite dell'interesse.

Resumen: En febrero de 2015 el Reino Unido dio el primer paso para la aprobación de la transferencia mitocondrial como técnica terapéutica. Teóricamente, gracias a eso será posible para muchas mujeres engendrar descendencia libre de patologías asociadas a defectos mitocondriales. Sin embargo, esta práctica enfrenta severas dudas desde un punto de vista ético. Entre las objeciones destacan: su estrecha vinculación con la clonación humana; la alteración de los genes de la línea germinal; la modificación de la identidad del ser humano al que dará lugar; la destrucción de embriones humanos que envuelve, o el elevado riesgo que encierra para la salud del ser humano resultante. En este texto se analiza la solvencia de todas estas objeciones de forma crítica, resaltando las fortalezas de algunas de ellas. En particular, se aboga por una restricción cuidadosa del uso de esta técnica, que promueva el empleo de alternativas más respetuosas con la salud del futuro ser humano. Palabras clave: reemplazo mitocondrial, clonación, diagnóstico genético preimplantatorio, terapias génicas Some thoughts on the mitochondrial transfer: a new issue for bioethics?

Abstract: In February 2015 the United Kingdom took the first step towards the adoption of mitochondrial transfer as a therapeutic technique. Theoretically, it will make it possible for many women to get rid of pathologies associated with mitochondrial defects. However, this practice has been subjected to severe doubts from an ethical standpoint. Among these objections, we could highlight the following: its close association with human cloning; the alteration of the germline genes; the modification in the identity of the human being involved; the destruction of human embryos; or the high risk to the health of the human being. In this text we will analyze these objections critically, highlighting the strength of all of them. As a result, we will call for a careful restriction of the use of this technique, and the promotion of the use of alternative options much more respectful of the human future.