Comprehensive Decriminalisation of Abortion: An Analysis of Concept, Arguments and Regulatory Frameworks.

In 2018-2019, the Belgian Parliament launched two legal initiatives that fundamentally challenge the role of criminal law in relation to the regulation of abortion. Similarly, some Australian jurisdictions and New Zealand have recently decriminalised abortion in all stages of pregnancy and instead approach it as a form of health care. In light of these developments, this article conceptualises "comprehensive decriminalisation" of abortion as the withdrawal of the regulation of abortion from criminal codes and statutes and the removal of specific criminal sanctions. Next, it examines the strengths and limits of the arguments for and against comprehensive decriminalisation and considers the potential impact of decriminalisation on abortion access and stigma. Finally, it illustrates the distinction between decriminalisation and deregulation by addressing the regulatory approaches of Australian jurisdictions, Belgium, Canada and New Zealand to late-term abortion in particular.

A study on risk factors for macroscopic gut abnormalities in intensively reared broiler chickens.

Intensification of broiler production has coincided with an increase in enteric disorders. Enteric syndromes of unknown aetiology are often associated with an increased feed conversion ratio and are given the general term "dysbiosis". Despite the importance of dysbiosis, information on factors contributing to this condition are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe dysbiosis in broilers (Ross 308) during one production round and to identify risk factors. Fifteen farms in Flanders (Belgium) were followed up, with visits at days 10, 17, 20, 24 and 28 of production. At every visit, 10 random birds were inspected for footpad lesions, hock burns and breast blisters. Also, coccidiosis and enteric abnormalities were scored after necropsy. A gut appearance score (GAS) was given based on 10 macroscopically visible parameters, where a higher GAS equalled more enteric abnormalities. Footpad lesions were seen in 14 farms and increased in prevalence with the age of the birds. Hock burns were seen less frequently, and no breast blisters were detected. Eimeria acervulina lesions were most frequently observed, followed by E. maxima and E. tenella lesions. The average GAS increased from day 10 until day 20. The strong correlations between the GAS at days 10, 17 and 20 indicate that prevalence of gut abnormalities at day 10 can be predictive for scores later on. A higher amount of intestinal defects was seen in older female birds, in the presence of a conceivable E. tenella infection and at farms with a higher productivity and sanitary status.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSGut lesions found in young broilers can predict further development of defects.Caecal lesions showed the strongest correlation with GAS in a multivariate model.

Late Termination of Pregnancy in Belgium: Exploring Its Legality and Scope.

Termination of pregnancy when the foetus is considered viable remains a legal and ethical challenge for lawmakers and society. In Belgium, the lawfulness of late termination of pregnancy is contested by legal scholars up until today. Through statutory interpretation, this analysis demonstrates that this controversy is unwarranted and that termination of pregnancy for particularly severe and incurable foetal abnormality or for serious threats to the health of the pregnant person is also permitted after foetal viability. Nonetheless, by using open terms the Belgian Act on the Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy creates considerable legal uncertainty. Drawing on a comparison with the regulatory frameworks of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, this article underlines the need for increased multidisciplinary debate, medical guidance, and scientific research on late termination of pregnancy in Belgium.

Host intestinal biomarker identification in a gut leakage model in broilers.

Intestinal health problems are a major issue in the poultry industry. Quantifiable easy-to-measure biomarkers for intestinal health would be of great value to monitor subclinical intestinal entities that cause performance problems and to evaluate control methods for intestinal health. The aim of the study was to identify host protein biomarkers for intestinal inflammation and intestinal barrier damage. Proteomic analysis was conducted on ileal and colonic content samples of broilers under an experimental gut damage and inflammation model. Effects of the challenge treatment resulted in a worse gut condition based on macroscopic gut appearance (p < 0.0001). Also microscopic changes such as shortening of the villi and increased crypt depth (p < 0.0001) as well as higher infiltration of T-lymphocytes (p < 0.0001) were seen in the duodenal tissue of challenged animals. Several candidate proteins associated with inflammation, serum leakage and/or tissue damage were identified with an increased abundance in intestinal content of challenged animals (p < 0.05). Conversely, brush border enzymes were less abundant in intestinal content of challenged animals (p < 0.05). These candidate biomarkers have potential to be used in the field for detection of gut barrier failure in broilers.

Biomarkers for monitoring intestinal health in poultry: present status and future perspectives.

Intestinal health is determined by host (immunity, mucosal barrier), nutritional, microbial and environmental factors. Deficiencies in intestinal health are associated with shifts in the composition of the intestinal microbiome (dysbiosis), leakage of the mucosal barrier and/or inflammation. Since the ban on growth promoting antimicrobials in animal feed, these dysbiosis-related problems have become a major issue, especially in intensive animal farming. The economical and animal welfare consequences are considerable. Consequently, there is a need for continuous monitoring of the intestinal health status, particularly in intensively reared animals, where the intestinal function is often pushed to the limit. In the current review, the recent advances in the field of intestinal health biomarkers, both in human and veterinary medicine are discussed, trying to identify present and future markers of intestinal health in poultry. The most promising new biomarkers will be stable molecules ending up in the feces and litter that can be quantified, preferably using rapid and simple pen-side tests. It is unlikely, however, that a single biomarker will be sufficient to follow up all aspects of intestinal health. Combinations of multiple biomarkers and/or metabarcoding, metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, metaproteomic and metabolomic approaches will be the way to go in the future. Candidate biomarkers currently are being investigated by many research groups, but the validation will be a major challenge, due to the complexity of intestinal health in the field.