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The author presents his views on a joint meeting of the Royal Society of Medicine and the British Medical Association related to No Fault Compensation scheme held on January 12-13, 1989. The scheme abandons the rule that a patient has to show negligence in medical care for demanding the compensation. He comments on the disadvantages of such funding schemes.

The article focuses on the judicial dilemma regarding mercy killing in Great Britain. The public and the British Medical Association criticized the terms which defined mercy killing. In law, any unlawful act with intent to kill and causes death is murder. The Homicide Act 1957 introduced the concept of diminished responsibility. The Criminal Law Revision Committee suggests that mercy killing be defined as murder. These criticisms were carefully considered before a final recommendation.

The article discusses the development of conventional drugs for prescription by doctors. In order to ensure safety and efficacy of all drugs, including homeopathic and herbal treatments, these drugs should be tested along similar lines. Thus, the British Medical Association working party is considering this problem in the use of alternatives to conventional drugs.

Discusses the concepts of artificial hydration and nutrition. Distinction of artificial nutrition and hydration from the provision of food and water; Guidance published by the British Medical Association on medical treatment; Decision regarding the administration of fluid and food, irrespective of the methods of their delivery.

The article focuses on the efforts of the Royal College of General Practitioners in England and the General Medical Services Committee of the British Medical Association to produce a record card with an accompanying handbook outlining a plan for a developmental surveillance programme suitable for use in general practice. It cites activities that constitute developmental surveillance.