http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:47:30 +0200 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:47:30 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/how-german-blood-purity-research-advanced-medical-knowledge-a-902865.html#ref=rss Already years before the Nazis came to power, German scientists were propagating theories about blood purity. Though this obsession led to bizarre and dangerous theories about superiority and personality traits, it also led to medical breakthroughs. Fri, 31 May 2013 10:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/how-german-blood-purity-research-advanced-medical-knowledge-a-902865.html Already years before the Nazis came to power, German scientists were propagating theories about blood purity. Though this obsession led to bizarre and dangerous theories about superiority and personality traits, it also led to medical breakthroughs.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-zanzibar-miracle-cure-good-food-and-lots-of-sex-a-902547.html#ref=rss For years, desperation has driven sick people from around the world to the island of Zanzibar. There, a respected medicine man offers them an unorthodox prescription for returning to health: good food -- and lots of sex. Wed, 29 May 2013 15:12:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-zanzibar-miracle-cure-good-food-and-lots-of-sex-a-902547.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/patient-drug-trials-western-firms-bribed-east-german-doctors-a-901206.html#ref=rss It wasn't just the East German government that benefited from risky patient drug trials commissioned by Western pharmaceutical manufacturers decades ago. These companies also sent liaisons with lavish gifts to bribe and influence doctors to participate. Wed, 22 May 2013 16:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/patient-drug-trials-western-firms-bribed-east-german-doctors-a-901206.html It wasn't just the East German government that benefited from risky patient drug trials commissioned by Western pharmaceutical manufacturers decades ago. These companies also sent liaisons with lavish gifts to bribe and influence doctors to participate.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/drug-companies-perform-medical-tests-in-developing-countries-a-899798.html#ref=rss For years, major pharmaceutical companies have been testing new drugs in developing countries like India. The practice is forbidden, but the use of subcontractors makes it difficult to detect. Tue, 14 May 2013 17:56:16 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/drug-companies-perform-medical-tests-in-developing-countries-a-899798.html For years, major pharmaceutical companies have been testing new drugs in developing countries like India. The practice is forbidden, but the use of subcontractors makes it difficult to detect.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/western-drugmakers-tested-medicines-on-unwitting-east-germans-a-899594.html#ref=rss Until the fall of the Wall, Western pharmaceutical companies conducted drug trials in East German hospitals. More than 50,000 patients served as subjects, often without their knowledge, and many died. The human experiments haven't been fully investigated to this day despite fresh evidence of wrongdoing. Tue, 14 May 2013 17:37:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/western-drugmakers-tested-medicines-on-unwitting-east-germans-a-899594.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-mentally-ill-in-indonesia-are-often-put-in-chains-and-locked-up-a-898983.html#ref=rss Not far from the glistening beaches of Bali, mentally ill people are kept in chains or locked up in small shacks. Locals simply don't know what else to do with them. But psychiatrist Luh Ketut Suryani has made it her job to set them free. Fri, 10 May 2013 16:57:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-mentally-ill-in-indonesia-are-often-put-in-chains-and-locked-up-a-898983.html Not far from the glistening beaches of Bali, mentally ill people are kept in chains or locked up in small shacks. Locals simply don't know what else to do with them. But psychiatrist Luh Ketut Suryani has made it her job to set them free.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spain-in-crisis-becoming-a-center-of-in-vitro-fertilization-a-898830.html#ref=rss Even as the economy has tanked, Spain in recent years has become a destination for women and couples seeking to become pregnant through in vitro fertilization. Egg donors are plentiful. Thu, 09 May 2013 16:09:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spain-in-crisis-becoming-a-center-of-in-vitro-fertilization-a-898830.html Even as the economy has tanked, Spain in recent years has become a destination for women and couples seeking to become pregnant through in vitro fertilization. Egg donors are plentiful.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/dentist-pulled-20-teeth-without-asking-patient-a-897393.html#ref=rss There are good dentists and bad ones, but here's a story of the dentist from hell. He pulled 20 of a patient's teeth without asking for permission. He appealed against a decision to revoke his license -- and lost. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:43:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/dentist-pulled-20-teeth-without-asking-patient-a-897393.html There are good dentists and bad ones, but here's a story of the dentist from hell. He pulled 20 of a patient's teeth without asking for permission. He appealed against a decision to revoke his license -- and lost. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/researchers-launch-trials-with-non-embryonic-stem-cells-a-892475.html#ref=rss Ethical worries have slowed medical research into applications for stem cells. But scientists like Robert Lanza have developed less controversial ways to derive stem cells from normal body cells rather than embryos and are already launching the first clinical trials. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:58:12 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/researchers-launch-trials-with-non-embryonic-stem-cells-a-892475.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-catholic-leaders-approve-morning-after-pill-in-rape-cases-a-884982.html#ref=rss In a significant reversal just one month after two Catholic hospitals refused to treat a victim of sexual assault, Germany's bishops on Thursday approved the use of the "morning-after pill" in rape cases. German commentators say the step doesn't go far enough. Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:18:40 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-catholic-leaders-approve-morning-after-pill-in-rape-cases-a-884982.html In a significant reversal just one month after two Catholic hospitals refused to treat a victim of sexual assault, Germany's bishops on Thursday approved the use of the "morning-after pill" in rape cases. German commentators say the step doesn't go far enough.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/controversial-pid-embryo-screening-in-germany-a-882067.html#ref=rss A controversial procedure that lets would-be parents test embryos for certain genetic defects will soon be allowed in special cases in Germany. What does this mean for society? Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:46:21 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/controversial-pid-embryo-screening-in-germany-a-882067.html A controversial procedure that lets would-be parents test embryos for certain genetic defects will soon be allowed in special cases in Germany. What does this mean for society?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-catholic-bishops-to-review-policy-on-morning-after-pill-a-881531.html#ref=rss The case of a young woman who was denied treatment by Catholic hospitals after she may have been raped has sparked a debate among German Catholics. At its heart is whether the Church should allow emergency contraceptive pills, or whether such drugs are equivalent to abortion. Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:44:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-catholic-bishops-to-review-policy-on-morning-after-pill-a-881531.html The case of a young woman who was denied treatment by Catholic hospitals after she may have been raped has sparked a debate among German Catholics. At its heart is whether the Church should allow emergency contraceptive pills, or whether such drugs are equivalent to abortion.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-virtual-autopsy-procedure-is-changing-forensics-a-875657.html#ref=rss It used to be that the cause of death could only be determined by cutting a corpse open. But a new, virtual procedure developed by Swiss researchers is providing new insights into dead bodies. It could help identify previously undiscovered murders. Fri, 04 Jan 2013 17:08:11 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-virtual-autopsy-procedure-is-changing-forensics-a-875657.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/leipzig-organ-transplant-scandal-undermines-trust-in-doctors-a-875584.html#ref=rss Once again, Germany's system for distributing organs to patients in need of them has been rocked by a data manipulation scandal. A criminal investigation has been opened in the city of Leipzig, but German commentators say it is time for the entire system to be redesigned. Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:00:57 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/leipzig-organ-transplant-scandal-undermines-trust-in-doctors-a-875584.html Once again, Germany's system for distributing organs to patients in need of them has been rocked by a data manipulation scandal. A criminal investigation has been opened in the city of Leipzig, but German commentators say it is time for the entire system to be redesigned.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/india-disregards-evergreening-drug-patents-to-help-companies-and-poor-a-869601.html#ref=rss For years, India has refused to respect the patents of foreign pharmaceutical companies suspected of slightly altering their drugs merely to extend their profitability. In doing so, it helps not only the growing number of domestic generic drug makers, but also the millions who can hardly even afford the copycat drugs. Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:57:29 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/india-disregards-evergreening-drug-patents-to-help-companies-and-poor-a-869601.html For years, India has refused to respect the patents of foreign pharmaceutical companies suspected of slightly altering their drugs merely to extend their profitability. In doing so, it helps not only the growing number of domestic generic drug makers, but also the millions who can hardly even afford the copycat drugs.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/hangover-heaven-keeping-the-party-going-in-las-vegas-a-866403.html#ref=rss Las Vegas is a party town. But there's no better killjoy than a hangover. Enter Jason Burke, anesthesiologist and entrepreneurial party-saver extraordinaire. His bender-busting bus guarantees to keep the party going with hangover cures. Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/hangover-heaven-keeping-the-party-going-in-las-vegas-a-866403.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/interview-with-eric-kandel-psychoanalysis-art-and-biology-come-together-a-859702.html#ref=rss Eric Kandel is considered one of the world's most important neuroscientists. He recently published a book about the creative power of Vienna, the city of his birth. In an interview, he discusses the demonic side of man and the postcoital perspectives offered in Gustav Klimt's paintings. Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:06:15 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/interview-with-eric-kandel-psychoanalysis-art-and-biology-come-together-a-859702.html Eric Kandel is considered one of the world's most important neuroscientists. He recently published a book about the creative power of Vienna, the city of his birth. In an interview, he discusses the demonic side of man and the postcoital perspectives offered in Gustav Klimt's paintings. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/western-lifestyle-leading-to-dangerous-bacterial-imbalances-a-856825.html#ref=rss Trillions of bacteria living in and on the human body play a vital role in preserving health. But C-section births, antibiotics and excessive hygiene have been disturbing our microbial balance and possibly contributing to intestinal ailments, obesity, allergies and autism. Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:32:15 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/western-lifestyle-leading-to-dangerous-bacterial-imbalances-a-856825.html Trillions of bacteria living in and on the human body play a vital role in preserving health. But C-section births, antibiotics and excessive hygiene have been disturbing our microbial balance and possibly contributing to intestinal ailments, obesity, allergies and autism.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-york-mayor-s-soda-ban-sparks-debate-on-fat-and-freedom-a-849121.html#ref=rss Overweight Americans place a massive burden on the US health care system, a problem New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg hopes to help solve with a ban on supersized soft drinks. But the highly publicized offensive against sugary sodas has erupted into a debate about personal freedom. Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:31:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-york-mayor-s-soda-ban-sparks-debate-on-fat-and-freedom-a-849121.html Overweight Americans place a massive burden on the US health care system, a problem New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg hopes to help solve with a ban on supersized soft drinks. But the highly publicized offensive against sugary sodas has erupted into a debate about personal freedom.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/an-interview-with-samuel-koch-and-philippe-pozzo-di-borgo-on-paralysis-a-846855.html#ref=rss Samuel Koch became paralyzed on live television. Philippe Pozzo di Borgo's story was the basis for the hit film "The Intouchables." They spoke with SPIEGEL about solitude, how friendliness can be a powerful tool and how jokes about the disabled can still be funny. Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:58:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/an-interview-with-samuel-koch-and-philippe-pozzo-di-borgo-on-paralysis-a-846855.html