Bioethics
An Introduction

This book clearly explains bioethical issues and their philosophical foundations to science students, encouraging critical thinking about the ethics of biotechnology.

Marianne Talbot (Author)

9780521888332, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 May 2012

478 pages, 54 b/w illus. 1 table 233 exercises
25.3 x 19.4 x 2.2 cm, 1.18 kg

'… admirably accessible and organised … this book not only makes learning about profound topics easier and more interesting, but it provides lessons for instructors to become more effective teachers.' The Quarterly Review of Biology

Providing readers with the confidence needed to debate key issues in bioethics, this introductory text clearly explains bioethical theories and their philosophical foundations. Over 250 activities introduce topics for personal reflection, and discussion points encourage students to think for themselves and build their own arguments. Highlighting the potential pitfalls for those new to bioethics, each chapter features boxes providing factual information and outlining the philosophical background, along with detailed case studies that offer an insight into real-life examples of bioethical problems. Within-chapter essay questions and quizzes, along with end-of-chapter review questions, allow students to check their understanding and to broaden their thinking about the topics discussed. The accompanying podcasts by the author (two of whose podcasts on iTunesU™ have attracted over 3 million downloads) explain points that might be difficult for beginners. These, along with a range of extra resources for students and instructors, are available at www.cambridge.org/bioethics.

Preface
Using this book
Notes for instructors
Part I. Bioethics and Ethics: 1. Biotechnology and bioethics: what it's all about
2. Ethics in general: ethics, action and freedom
3. Ethics in the context of society: ethics, society and the law
4. Ethical theories: virtue, duty and happiness
5. Identifying and evaluating arguments: logic and morality
6. General arguments: unnatural, disgusting, risky, only opinion
Part II. The Beginning and End of Life
Section 1. Cloning: 7. Therapeutic cloning: the moral status of embryos
8. Reproductive cloning: science and science fiction
Section 2. Reproduction: 9. Reproductive freedom: rights, responsibilities and choice
10. The resources of reproduction: eggs, sperm and wombs for sale
11. Screening and embryo selection: eliminating disorders or people?
Section 3. Ageing and Death: 12. Ageing and immortality: the search for longevity
13. Death and killing: the quality and value of life
Part III. In the Midst of Life
Section 1. Our Duties to Ourselves: 14. Human enhancement: the more the better?
15. Bio-information: databases, privacy and the fight against crime
16. Security and defence: security sensitivity, publication and warfare
Section 2. Our Duties to Each Other: 17. Food and energy security: GM food, biofuel and the media
18. Bio-ownership: who owns the stuff of life?
19. Human justice: the developed and developing worlds
Section 3. Our Duties to Nature: 20. Non-human animals: consciousness, rationality and animal rights
21. The living and non-living environment: spaceship Earth
Index.

Subject Areas: Medical anthropology [PSXM], Life sciences: general issues [PSA], Popular science [PDZ], Impact of science & technology on society [PDR], Philosophy of science [PDA]