Alumni opinion

Baillieu’s bombshell resignation: where to now?

Dr Zareh Ghazarian (BA(Hons) 2003, PhD 2011) says while the change of leadership in Victoria serves as a circuit breaker for the government, it also raises many new challenges for the Liberal Party and the Coalition government. .

Killing king of doping won't destroy kingdom

Alumnus Julian Savulescu (BMedSc(Hons) 1988, MBBS(Hons) 1988, PhD 1995) says the idea that cycling has been purged of drugs cheats is wrong.

Aspirin's journey from nature to nurture

Is aspirin a too-good-to-be-true story? Can it really help to prevent heart disease, stroke, cancer and Alzheimer’s? Monash Chancellor and alumnus Dr Alan Finkel AM (BE 1976, PhD 1981) writes about the application and potential uses this "miracle drug".

The continuing tragedies of home birth

Julian Savulescu (BMedSc(Hons) 1988, MBBS(Hons) 1988, PhD 1995) and Lachlan de Crespigny argue home birth is only an option if it exposes the future child to zero risk of avoidable disability.

When targeted killings undermine the rule of law

Associate Professor Gideon Boas (BA 1995, LLB 1995, GradCertHigherEd 2010) says Osama Bin Laden is really the tip of the iceberg in a debate about extrajudicial killing.

Greece stays with austerity, but scenarios abound

Greece’s New Democracy party leader Antonis Samaras has gained sufficient votes to form a coalition – but there is a long way to go for Greeks yet writes Dr Remy Davison (BA(Hons) 1990).

Label with care

Julian Savulescu (BMedSc(Hons) 1988, MBBS(Hons) 1988, PhD 1995) asks: when is it justifiable to prescribe medication - only when there is a diagnosed deficit or disease; or should we use it to enhance our lives?

The impact of the human genome project

Alumna Dr Elizabeth Finkel (BSc(Hons) 1979) says the genome era is transforming our understanding of medicine, agriculture and all the biological disciplines at a breakneck pace.

Reflections on Mabo, the case and the movie

Professor Sarah Joseph (PhD 2003) says Eddie Mabo’s story is a crucial signpost en route to true reconciliation in Australia.

Bariatric surgery works, we just need to ensure it’s safe

Associate Professor Wendy Brown (MBBS 1992, PhD 2001) says a bi-national bariatric register would provide confidence that bariatric surgery is safe and is achieving improvement in health outcomes. Photo: Flickr/JacquisCloset

Launch of Monash Health Translation Precinct

Monash alumnus and Chancellor, Dr Alan Finkel AM, writes on the Federal Government's $71 million commitment for a new building and facilities at the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP).

A moral argument against the war on drugs

Ethicist Julian Savulescu (BMedSc(Hons) 1988, MBBS(Hons) 1988, PhD 1995) says a zero-tolerance approach to a crime like taking drugs will always fail

Why the Australian Synchrotron matters

Monash Chancellor and alumnus Dr Alan Finkel AM (BE 1976, PhD 1981) writes about the funding crisis faced at the Australian Synchrotron. Should you care about the future of this Victorian research facility?

It’s always a good time to stop smoking

Professor Robin Bell (MBBS 1977, Phd 1983, MPH 1988, GradCertHlthProfEd 2008) says women with breast cancer should quit for the same reasons all women are advised to quit: risk of heart attack, stroke and lung disease.