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Surrogacy: The legal situation in the EU
This analysis sets out the legal situation in the EU regarding surrogacy. A distinction can be drawn between traditional and gestational surrogacy, depending on the genetic connection of the surrogate to the child. A further distinction is made between altruistic and commercial surrogacy, depending on whether the surrogate receives remuneration. Among the Member States, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus and Portugal have introduced legislation permitting altruistic surrogacy, but for some of these the legislation ...
What if orbital debris destroyed satellites?
Space technologies are playing an increasingly critical role in communications, defence and research. As more satellites are launched, there is a growing risk of collision, and of satellites becoming military targets. Satellite-debris collisions have the potential to destroy not just one or two but many satellites, preventing the use of those orbits for years. Although de-orbiting satellites at a faster pace may be a solution, orbital debris falling back to Earth can cause environmental harm. Europe ...
Recht auf sauberes Trinkwasser in der EU
Die Bereitstellung von sauberem Trinkwasser, einer lebenswichtigen Ressource und einem öffentlichen Gut, wird als Angelegenheit der öffentlichen Gesundheit aufgefasst. Viele Europäerinnen und Europäer haben bereits Zugang zu sauberem und sicherem Trinkwasser, das erschwinglich ist. Neue Probleme wie Wasserknappheit, Dürren und chemische Stoffe oder Mikroplastik im Wasser führen jedoch dazu, dass gesellschaftliche und umweltbezogene Bedenken immer deutlicher heraustreten. Die Kommission wird voraussichtlich ...
Cyberviolence against women in the EU
The rise of digital technologies represents a double-edged sword for women's rights. On the one hand, the digital environment has enabled women to build networks and spread awareness about the abuse they suffer, such as through the #Metoo movement. On the other, it has provided abusers and misogynists with new tools with which they can spread their harmful content on an unprecedented scale. With the development of artificial intelligence, these trends, both positive and negative, are expected to ...
EU space policy: State of play
On 9 July 2024, the successful maiden flight of the new heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6 reinstated the EU's autonomous access to space. This came after several months of reliance on private United States launchers as a result of the temporary unavailability of an EU rocket. In recent years, the space sector has witnessed the conjunction of three trends. First, the space economy has grown globally, also because of competitive private actors. Second, as a consequence, space is now increasingly congested ...
Asia's skyrocketing space race: A competition for peace?
Over the past 20 years, new Asian players have emerged in the competition for space. Until the end of the 20th century, Japan – the only Asian country admitted to the International Space Station – played a leading role in the region. However, the beginning of the 21st century has seen the rise of other countries' space capabilities, fuelling a new space race. China has made sizeable progress, outpacing Russia as the main competitor to the United States. Beijing aims to be the world's leading space ...
Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate: Olivér Várhelyi – Health and Animal Welfare
Olivér Várhelyi, the Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare, has worked on EU related issues throughout his professional career. He has been serving as Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement since 2019. From 2015 to 2019 he held the dual roles of Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Hungary to the EU, having served as Deputy Permanent Representative of Hungary from 2011 to 2015. From 2008 to 2011, Várhelyi headed the Commission's Unit for Industrial Property Rights in ...
Standards of quality and safety for substances of human origin intended for human application
On 13 June 2024, as part of efforts to build a strong European health union, the EU adopted a regulation that updates and expands EU legislation on blood, tissues and cells. The new rules establish high standards of quality and safety for substances of human origin (SoHOs) intended for human application, improve the protection of donors, recipients, and offspring born from medically assisted reproduction, reinforce the principle of voluntary and unpaid donation in the EU, and strengthen the national ...
The protection of mental privacy in the area of neuroscience - Societal, legal and ethical challenges
Advances in (neuro)technological development have led to an increase in the use and accessibility of neurotechnologies (NT), allowing brain activity to be recorded, analysed and manipulated by neurotechnological devices. While they were originally used only for clinical purposes, they are becoming more and more attractive for healthy populations willing to enhance their cognitive or physical abilities. Consumer-grade devices can be acquired and used by lay persons without supervision in work, education ...