Medical Ethics (Current Controversies)

What distinguishes this volume in the Current Controversies series is the rich, multifaceted arguments that present a balanced view of the issues. The writers address a number of controversial topics about which medical research offers few concrete answers--among them, physician-assisted suicide, organ donation, and human cloning. Beginning with the perplexing duality of the Hippocratic Oath, which requires physicians both to prolong life and to minimize suffering, the book offers a generous and satisfying blend of moral quandaries that are presented with eye-opening statistics, fascinating court cases, and medical testimonials. In every case, the essays teach readers much about the current state of medicine as well as the role that personal and religious beliefs play in the decisions affecting life and death. Roger Leslie