Belgium passes euthanasia law/Parents can touch fetus in womb

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Belgium passes euthanasia lawhttp://sg.news./020516/1/2pn65.htmlBelgium adopted a law partially legalising euthanasia, making it the secondcountry in the world after the Netherlands to allow mercy killings underspecific circumstances.The bill was adopted by 86 votes to 51 with 10 abstentions and the law isexpected to come into force within the three months.Once the law goes into effect, a doctor who carries out a mercy killing willnot be guilty of having committed a crime if the patient is terminally illand has made the decision themselves, and if certain other legal procedureshave been respected.In particular, the doctor must have satisfied himself that the patient is"of age and conscious," and that the request to die was made of thepatient's own free will, properly thought through and consistent, and notthe result of external pressure.To avoid prosecution, a doctor must also be sure that the patient "is in aterminal medical situation" and enduring "constant and unbearable physicalor psychological pain" resulting from an accident or incurable illness.However, it gives each patient the right to receive ongoing treatment withpain killers to ensure that poor or isolated patients do not ask to diebecause they do not have money for treatment.Federal and regional authorities would be responsible for providing suchcare, while doctors asked to carry out a mercy killing would be obliged toinform patients that such care was available.The Netherlands became the first country in Europe -- and the world -- tolegalize euthanasia on April 1 of this year.http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992284Virtual reality lets parents "touch" fetus in womb12:27 15 May 02NewScientist.com news serviceParents-to-be can now "feel" a baby in the womb with the aid of a computersystem that converts ultrasound images into a tactile virtual picture.A 3D ultrasound image of the baby is generated by layering successive 2Dpictures on top of one another. The computer then traces the features of thefetus and allows the 3D shapes to be felt using a "haptic" device, whichresembles a robot arm."When the cursor touches a virtual object, the motors in the device kick inand that's what lets you actually feel it," says Tom Anderson who foundedNovint, the New Mexico-based company behind the system. "It's a prettyamazing experience. You can feel the nose and reach down and touch thelips."Video of 3D ultrasound (70KB avi, Hosted at Novint.com)The pliancy of real skin is simulated by the system's software to addrealism to the experience, he says.Virtual examinationAnderson also claims the technology could help doctors diagnose illnesseswithout performing invasive examinations, as the system works with X-ray,MRI and ultrasound imaging. He says something such as a colonoscopy couldtherefore be performed "virtually", relieving patients of an uncomfortableexperience.However some experts in the field of medical 3D imaging are not convincedthe system would match the accuracy of a conventional examination."Because ultrasound images are usually so poor quality, any way of enhancingthose might be useful," says Chris Baber at the University of Birmingham."But as a diagnostic tool, I'm not sure how accurate it would be." Theultrasound scan may not be able to collect all the information needed for adiagnosis.Will Knight