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Provides comprehensive, yet concise coverage of the broad field of bioethics, dealing with the scientific, medical, social, religious, political and international concerns
This book offers complete information about all aspects of bioethics and its role in our world. It tackles the concerns of bioethicists, dealing with the ethical questions that arise in the relationships among life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, politics, law, and philosophy. The book introduces the various modes of ethical thinking and then helps the reader to apply that thinking to issues relating to the environment, to plants and animals, and to humans.
Written in an accessible manner, Introduction to Bioethics, Second Edition focuses on key issues directly relevant to those studying courses ranging from medicine through to biology and agriculture. Ethical analysis is threaded throughout each chapter and supplementary examples are included to stimulate further thought. In addition there are numerous mini-case studies to aid understanding, together with key references and further reading. Topics covered include genetic modification; GM crops, human genetics and genomics; cloning and stem cells; assisted reproduction; end of life issues; human enhancement; transhumanism and more.
* A concise introduction covering the whole field of bioethics
* Ethical analysis included throughout
* Mini case-studies in each chapter place ethics into specific contexts
* Includes exercises and commentary to further clarify ethical discussions
* Now fully revised, updated and re-ordered, with new chapters on Biofuels and on Synthetic Biology
Introduction to Bioethics, Second Edition is primarily aimed at undergraduate students taking courses in biomedical sciences, biological sciences, and medicine. It will also be useful to anyone with an interested in the ethics of biological and biomedical science, including science journalists and reporters, who want to inform themselves about current developments.
List of contents
Preface xiii
About the Companion Website xv
Part I Setting the Scene 1
1 Science and Society 3
1.1 What's It All About? 3
1.2 What Is Science? 5
1.2.1 Introduction: Some History (But Not Very Much) 5
1.3 Modern Science 9
1.4 Science, Ethics and Values 10
1.4.1 Introduction 10
1.4.2 Scientific Fraud 11
1.4.3 Science and Societal Values 11
1.5 Attitudes to Science 13
1.5.1 Science and the Enlightenment 13
1.5.2 Science, Modernism, Modernity and Postmodernism 14
1.5.3 Postmodernism and 'Pseudo?]modernism' 16
1.5.4 Public Attitudes to Science 17
Key References and Suggestions for Further Reading 21
2 Ethics and Bioethics 23
2.1 Ethics and Morals 23
2.2 The Development of Ethics 25
2.2.1 Introduction 25
2.2.2 Virtuous Greeks 25
2.2.3 Ethics and Duty 26
2.2.4 What Happens If...? 27
2.2.5 Natural Law 28
2.2.6 Moral Relativism: My View Is as Good as Yours 28
2.2.7 The Revival of Virtue 29
2.2.8 Ethics and Rights 29
2.2.9 Ethics and Religion 30
2.2.10 Ethics: A Summary 30
2.3 Making Ethical Decisions 31
2.4 Medical Ethics 33
2.5 The Growth of Bioethics 34
Key References and Suggestions for Further Reading 36
Part II Biomedical Science and Medical Technology 39
3 Life before Birth I: The New Reproductive Technologies 41
3.1 Introduction 41
3.2 Gametes Outside the Body 42
3.3 Techniques of Artificial Reproductive Medicine 43
3.3.1 Objections to Assisted Reproduction 43
3.3.2 Donor Insemination 44
3.3.3 Gamete Donation 44
3.3.4 In Vitro Fertilisation and Variations 47
3.3.5 Reception of Oocytes from Partner 50
3.4 Embryo Testing 51
3.5 Mitochondrial Donation 51
3.6 Embryo Research 54
3.7 Rights of the Unborn Child 56
3.8 Men and Women: Do We Need Both? 56
Key References and Suggestions for Further Reading 58
4 Life before Birth II: Embryos, Foetuses and Associated Issues 61
4.1 Introduction 61
4.2 The Early Human Embryo 63
4.2.1 Introduction: Embryos and Persons 63
4.2.2 Status of the Embryo: Human Life Begins at Fertilisation 64
4.2.3 Status of the Embryo: The 14?]Day Approach 65
4.3 Embryo Research 66
4.4 Screening and Diagnosis 69
4.5 Reproductive Rights 71
4.5.1 Scope of Reproductive Rights 71
4.5.2 Contraception 71
4.6 Abortion: Maternal-Foetal Conflict 72
4.7 Surrogacy 77
4.8 Artificial Wombs 78
Key References and Suggestions for Further Reading 80
5 Cloning and Stem Cells 83
5.1 Introduction 83
5.2 Frogs and Sheep 84
5.3 Genes and Clones 87
5.4 It's Not Natural: It Should Be Banned! 87
5.5 The Ethics of Human Cloning: An Overview 91
5.6 Reproductive Cloning of Non?]human Mammals 93
5.7 Unlocking the Genetic Potential of Stem Cells 96
5.7.1 Embryonic Stem Cells 96
5.7.2 Therapeutic Potential 98
5.7.3 Embryonic Stem Cells and the Ethical Status of the Early Human Embryo 98
5.7.4 Therapeutic Cloning 101
5.7.5 Adult Stem Cells 102
5.7.6 Novel Sources of Stem Cells 103
5.8 Concluding Remarks 105
Key References and Suggestions for Further Reading 106
6 Human Genes and Genomes 109
About the author
About the Authors
John A. Bryant is Professor Emeritus of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
Linda la Velle is Professor of Biology in Education, Institute of Education, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK, and Visiting Professor of Education, Bath Spa University, UK.
Summary
Introduction to Bioethics provides a comprehensive and yet concise coverage of the broad field of bioethics, dealing with the scientific, medical, social, religious and, where appropriate, political and international concerns.
