Here are the most popular Bioethics News items from last week based on average clicks per day:

1. Ob/Gyn guidelines stir up ethics debate
(NPR) An opinion released by the ethics committee of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that physicians should be required to refer patients seeking abortions or other procedures to another provider if the physician has a moral objection.  The Bush administration has now gotten involved, saying such a rule could violate federal law.(See NPR’s follow-up.)

2. Concerns about vaccine opt-outs
(NYT) In many parts of the country, the number of parents opting to not have their kids vaccinated has grown significantly.  Experts worry the trend may be endangering public health.

3. New Jersey considers mandated coverage
(NYT) A bipartisan group of state legislators has presented a plan that would require all residents to have health coverage.  The proposal would redistribute already-existing funds to cover costs, though there are doubts that would actually fund the program.

4. Med students flock to dermatology
(NYT) With its relatively easy working schedules and high pay, dermatology is drawing many of the best and brightest medical students.  That has some worried that other important specialties are being drained of talent.

5. Balancing cost and effectiveness
(NYT) Evidence that a very expensive biotech drug may treat Gaucher’s disease at much lower doses has prompted a debate about whether the current recommended dose is the result of medical necessity or profit-seeking.

The top 5 from two weeks ago.