Bioethics: The Basics is an introduction to the foundational principles, theories and issues in the study of medical and biological ethics. Readers are introduced to bioethics from the ground up before being invited to consider some of the most controversial but important questions facing us today. Topics addressed include:
- the range of moral theories underpinning bioethics
- arguments for the rights and wrongs of abortion, euthanasia and animal research
- health care ethics including the nature of the practitioner-patient relationship
- public policy ethics and the implications of global and public health
- ‘3 parents’, enhancement, incidental findings and nudge approaches in health care.
This thoroughly revised second edition provides a concise, readable and authoritative introduction for anyone interested in the study of bioethics.
Table of Contents:
CONTENTS
Preface
Abbreviations
1 What is bioethics?
What is bioethics?
History
What about the law?
Methods
Applications
How to use this book
Resources and further reading
2 Moral theories
Introduction
Counting the consequences
Doing one’s duty
Being a good person – virtue ethics
Brotherhood and sisterhood – communitarianism
Live free or die – libertarianism
A balancing act – the four principles
Resources and further reading
Exercise
3 Perspectives
Introduction
Gendered agendas – feminist approaches
To care or not to care?
Culture and religion
Conclusion
Resources and further reading
Exercises
4 Clinical ethics
Introduction
The clinical relationship – a conspiracy against the laity?
Life before birth
Transplantation and regenerative medicine
Mental health
The end of life
After death
Conclusions
Resources and further reading
Exercises
5 Research
Introduction
Research ethics
Research integrity
Research and the future
Conclusion
Resources and further reading
Exercises
6 Justice
Introduction
Public health ethics
Fair access and the paradox of health care
Global inequity in health
Global survival
Resources and further reading
Exercises
Appendix
Glossary
References
Index
