Biomedical Ethics

This anthology with case studies provides insightful and comprehensive treatment of ethical issues in medicine. Appropriate for courses taught in philosophy departments as well as in schools on medicine and nursing, the collection covers provocative topics such as conflicts of interest in medicine, advance directives, physician-assisted suicide, and the rationing of health care. The effective pedagogical features include chapter introductions, argument sketches, explanations of medical terms, headnotes, and annotated bibliographies.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTIONThe Nature of Biomedical EthicsRecently Dominant Ethical TheoriesThe Principles of Biomedical EthicsAlternative Directions and Methods Relevant Concepts and PrinciplesChapter 2. THE PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIPPhysicians' Obligations and VirtuesPhysician-Patient Models and Patient AutonomyTruth-TellingInformed ConsentDeterminations of CompetenceThe Practice of Medicine in a Multicultural SocietyConflicts of Interest and Managed CareChapter 3. HOSPITALS, NURSES, FAMILIES, AND MEDICAL CONFIDENTIALITYProfessional StatementsThe Role and Responsibilities of NursesThe Role of the FamilyConfidentialityChapter 4. HUMAN AND ANIMAL RESEARCHEthical CodesHistorical and Cultural Causes for ConcernExperimental Design and Clinical Trials in Developing CountriesAnimal ResearchChapter 5: DEATH AND DECISIONS REGARDING LIFE-SUSTAINING TREATMENT The Definition and Determination of DeathCompetent Adults and the Refusal of Life-Sustaining TreatmentDNR Orders and Medical FutilityAdvance Directives and Treatment Decisions for Incompetent AdultsThe Treatment of Impaired InfantsChapter 6. SUICIDE, PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE, AND ACTIVE EUTHANASIAThe Morality of SuicideThe Morality of Active EuthanasiaThe Supreme Court, Physician-Assisted Suicide, and Terminal SedationPhysician-Assisted Suicide, Active Euthanasia, and Social PolicyChapter 7. ABORTION AND MATERNAL-FETAL CONFLICTSThe Morality of AbortionAbortion and Social PolicyMaternal-Fetal ConflictsChapter 8. GENETICS AND HUMAN REPRODUCTIONReproductive Risk, Prenatal Diagnosis, and Selective AbortionReproductive TechnologiesGamete Donation and SurrogacyHuman CloningGenetic EngineeringChapter 9. JUSTICE AND HEALTH-CARE POLICYJustice, Rights and Societal ObligationsRationingManaged CareInternational Models and Perspectives

About the Author :
Thomas A. Mappes holds a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Dayton and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Georgetown University. He is professor of philosophy at Frostburg State University, where he has taught since 1973. He is the coeditor (with Jane S. Zembaty) of Social Ethics: Morality and Social Policy (McGraw-Hill, 4/e, 1992) and his published work appears in journals such as American Philosophical Quarterly and Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal. In 1985, the Frostburg State University Foundation presented him with the Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching. David DeGrazia earned a B.A. from the University of Chicago, an M.St. from Oxford University, and a Ph.D. from Gerogetown University, each in philosophy. He has been teaching philosophy and biomedical ethics at George Washington University since 1989. He is the author of Taking Animals Seriously (Cambridge University Press) and of articles published in such journals as Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, Public Affairs Quarterly, History of Philosophy Quarterly, and Southern Journal of Philosophy.