A court case is going on today because a Canberra mother gave birth to two healthy twin girls three years ago. The girls are the result of successful IVF treatment, but it seems the treatment was a little too successful. The family involved specifically requested that only one embryo be used in the process, meaning that twins were an unlikely result. However, the doctor mistakenly implanted twin embryos and now he’s being sued. It’s a landmark case and brings to light a lot of sore ethical issues of reproductive technology, especially the element of choice. Associate Professor Beverley Vollenhoven, a doctor with Monash IVF clinic, and Eleanor Milligan, an Ethics doctorate candidate at QUT, discuss whether control is an ethical element of birth.

Pakistan's military dictator Pervez Musharraf has signalled his intention to step down as army chief - if he is given another five-year term as president. It's been a tough year for Musharraf, with the siege of the Red Mosque raising tensions, and the botched sacking of a Supreme Court Justice showing the limits of his powers. The Wire spoke to Dr Peter Mayer about the sincerity of Musharraf's announcement, and Dr Samina Yasmeen about the level of domestic support for Musharraf.

Lives are being put at risk because Australian doctors have insufficient knowledge about complementary medicine. A recent survey found doctors are unaware of the adverse reactions complementary medicine can have mixed with conventional medications. With eighty per cent of the world’s population relying on herbal and complementary medicine this lack of knowledge in the Australian hospital system could have devastating consequences. Monash University Lecturer, Lesley Braun and Dr Peter Ford from the Australian Medical Association talk about how complementary medicine is being used, or not used, in the hospital system.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma delivered a major speech on Indigenous health and human rights in Adelaide last night, titled ‘Does the End Justify the Means?’ Quoting both the Prime Minister and Minister for Indigenous Affairs, he noted that if the stated aims and commitments they made when declaring a national emergency in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory were honored in real terms, it could provide the breakthrough that has been needed for decades. However, they must be backed up by resources and a respect for internationally recognised human rights. These include full and proper consultation with the people affected by any ‘intervention and the understanding that discrimination on the basis of race can never be justified. He was giving the annual Don Dunstan Oration in Adelaide.

AMRAP (Australian Music Radio Airplay Program) is a great innitiative designed to lend support to local community music and community radio. Local unsigned artists submit their music to AMRAP who distribute the music to appropriate community radio stations around Australia. Unknown artists benefit from more airplay to get their name out in the public domain. But AMRAP is in danger of losing its funding. The federal government has not offered to renew its' support. Nicole Craig, project co-ordinator explains more about AMRAP and Peter Garrett, shadow minister for the Arts says Labor will support the program to the tune of $2.4million over four years.