Bioethics Books

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Book SynopsisIn this comprehensive updated introduction to animal ethics, Lori Gruen weaves together poignant and provocative case studies with discussions of ethical theory, urging readers to engage critically and reflect empathetically on our relationships with other animals. In clear and accessible language, Gruen discusses a range of issues central to human-animal relations and offers a reasoned new perspective on key debates in the field. She analyses and explains a range of theoretical positions and poses challenging questions that directly encourage readers to hone their ethical reasoning skills and to develop a defensible position about their own practices. Her book will be an invaluable resource for students in a wide range of disciplines including ethics, environmental studies, veterinary science, gender studies, and the emerging field of animal studies. The book is an engaging account of animal ethics for readers with no prior background in philosophy.Trade Review'Ethics and Animals is a wonderfully readable introduction to the range of issues that come under that heading. Lori Gruen is not only a fine philosopher, but also a person with genuine empathy for animals, and the ability to express that in writing.' Peter Singer, Princeton University and University of Melbourne'If you only read one book about animal ethics, this should be the one. Simultaneously broad and deep, accessible and engaging, Ethics and Animals will help you think through the multiplicity of ways that people have tried to justify using animals, and importantly, raises crucial challenges to those justifications. This book will help you think better about human relationships with animals.' Pattrice Jones, Co-founder of VINE SanctuaryTable of Contents1. Why animals matter; 2. The natural and the normative; 3. Eating animals; 4. Experimenting with animals; 5. Dilemmas of captivity; 6. Animals in the wild; 7. Action for Animals.

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Book SynopsisWhat should a vet do when a client can’t pay for their animal’s treatment? Or when asked their opinion on the killing of wildlife for disease control? Or when observing an animal welfare problem whilst off duty? Ethical problems are an everyday part of life for veterinarians but it can be difficult to combine personal values with professional conduct. Veterinary Ethics presents a range of ethical scenarios that veterinarians and other allied animal health professionals may face in practice. The scenarios discussed are not only exceptional cases with potentially significant consequences, but often less dramatic everyday situations. The responses to these ethical problems are from practising veterinarians and acknowledged world experts in animal welfare and ethics. The advice given is thorough and detailed, covering different eventualities, the ethical knots and dilemmas, the personal feelings of those involved as well as objective recommendations on ethical decision making and, where relevant, guidance from veterinary governing bodies and the law. The advice is framed in the form of veterinary life in the real world, not necessarily an ideal world. As well as practical guidance the book takes a step back and explores the different philosophical arguments and standpoints and the resultant solutions and problems of each approach, examining the background and relationship between different philosophical schools of thought, ethics and veterinary care. The book strives to present decision making in response to ethical problems as transparently as possible, employing a range of ethical frameworks. The book also challenges the reader about their own decision making in given situations, what factors to consider and how they would achieve certain outcomes.

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Book SynopsisA TIMES ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 'Brilliant .. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough' - Henry Marsh, New Statesman (about The Idea of the Brain) A new gene editing technology, invented just seven years ago, has turned humanity into gods. Enabling us to manipulate the genes in virtually any organism with exquisite precision, CRISPR has given scientists a degree of control that was undreamt of even in science fiction. But CRISPR is just the latest, giant leap in a long journey to master genetics. The Genetic Age shows the astonishing, world-changing potential of the new genetics and the possible threats it poses, sifting between fantasy and the reality when it comes to both benefits and dangers. By placing each phase of discovery, anticipation and fear in the context of over fifty years of attempts to master the natural world, Matthew Cobb, the Baillie-Gifford-shortlisted author of The Idea of the Brain, weaves the stories of science, history and culture to shed new light on our future. With the powers now at our disposal, it is a future that is almost impossible to imagine - but it is one we will create ourselves.Trade ReviewFascinating, occasionally chilling and very readable -- Rhys Blakely * The Times *An excellent primer for anyone seeking a well-informed discussion of the moral implications of this enduringly controversial science * Economist *Detailed and deeply researched ... striking ... complex -- Henry Marsh * New Statesman *Disturbing and readable * New Scientist *Comprehensive ... you can sense Cobb's excitement and enthusiasm * TLS *[A] deeply researched and often deeply troubling history of gene science ... [in search of] decency and honor in a morally complex field. -- Deborah Blum * New York Times *Masterfully written and deeply researched ... Cobb catapults us into a world full of the joys of discovery, the intense rivalries and friendships between scientists, and the many moral and scientific uncertainties about genetics that await us -- Siddhartha Mukherjee, author * The Gene: An Intimate History *The ideal guide to what is not just a fiendishly complex area of science but also an ethical minefield * Mail on Sunday *There are serious questions about the safety of genetic engineering, but also profound social and ethical questions about its use. Matthew Cobb, in his detailed and deeply researched book ... is concerned as much about these questions as he is about the technical details ... but the book is not a primer for understanding the field; it is much more than that. -- Henry Marsh * New Statesman *Wonderful ... a thoughtful, lively and evocative exposition of the history of genetic engineering. -- Adrian Woolfson * Wall Street Journal *Excellent and occasionally harrowing ... masterfully told history ... offers a clear-eyed, well-researched view of the promises and pitfalls of a necessary new technology * Forbes *[An] indefatigable exploration of the genesis of biology ... beautifully lays out the sheer improbability of our biosphere. * The Atlantic *A look at genetic engineering that provides valuable background for rethinking the appropriate uses for these technologies. * Kirkus *A truly valuable book ... most of us get very big picture ideas of what's going on with gene editing and other genetic modifications from the media. Now we've got the real story -- Brain Clegg * Popular Science *An engaging, intriguing book about the history of genetic engineering and where it might lead society ... Excellent. * Library Journal *[A] remarkable jaunt through the twists and turns of the genetic engineering revolution ... a valuable new go-to source. -- Luis A. Campos * Science *Cobb does an excellent job describing the history and the nuts and bolts of genetic engineering. But his real focus, as the title of his book implies, is on the sociological, psychological, and philosophical questions surrounding the genetic age. * GEN Biotechnology *His evenhanded critique balances caution about emergent technologies with tart scepticism of overreaching claims ... The result is an eye-opening - and occasionally hair-raising - indictment of scientific hubris and recklessness. * Publishers Weekly *The book provides such rich description that even the most knowledgeable readers ... will learn something new ... fascinating. * Journal of Medical Humanities *Powerful gene technologies, long foreseen, are finally with us. Taking the measure of this daunting prospect calls for historical acumen, technical appreciation, and a clear-eyed view of human foibles. As this book attests, Matthew Cobb has all three -- Jon TurneyA superb account of genetic engineering in life and culture, in all its myriad anxieties and exhilarations. Should we be scared? Read this book and you'll have a sense of the answer -- Adam Roberts, author * It's the End of the World *The essential, engrossing and disturbing story of a science that enabled us to create new forms of life -- Victoria GillMatthew Cobb is a great storyteller of science, a tapestry of intriguing and enlightening ideas thoughtfully and entertainingly told -- Robin InceProfound and important ... Written with astute, calm and clear-sighted judgement, The Genetic Age is likely to be the definitive account of the rise of gene biotechnologies. Neither a credulous booster nor a doom-mongering catastrophist, Matthew Cobb steers a prudent path through the promise and perils of genetic engineering -- Philip Ball, author * Critical Mass *Faced with a new round of genetic dreams and nightmares, Matthew Cobb skilfully sifts the truth from the hype in this thrilling and alarming account of our most dangerous and exciting technology -- Paul Mason, author * How to Stop Fascism *The promise of genetic engineering is limitless, the stuff of dreams and nightmares, and that is also the problem, as Matthew Cobb shows us in this elegant and meticulously researched history. Packed with human stories and fascinating detail, this is the journey of discovery that changed how we view life itself. -- Gaia Vince, author * Transcendence, Adventures in the Anthropocene *A lucid and vigorously insightful account of the pitfalls and triumphs of the twenty-first century's most ethically challenging and potentially world-changing technology -- Paul McAuley, author * Fairyland *A superb guide to the global history of the dreams, fears and science of genetic engineering, and why it matters for tomorrow -- Jon Agar, author * Turing and the Universal Machine *A gripping, bawdy tale of science fiction morphing into business history ... Exhaustively researched and beautifully written ... the histories of recombinant DNA, biotech, GMOs, gene therapy, and cloning in a single lively, accessible account -- Nathaniel Comfort, Professor of the History of Medicine, John Hopkins University, and author * The Tangled Field: How Genetics Became the Heart of American Medicine *A riveting guide to the new age of genome engineering, revealing how ideas and technology that until recently existed only in science fiction are now a stunning clinical reality ... Required reading for anyone who cares about the future of humanity and our planet -- Kevin Davies, author * Editing Humanity *The genetic advances of the past half-century have raised the possibility that we can not only read the instructions that make living things, including ourselves, but also edit them at will. As a geneticist, Matthew Cobb celebrates the potential of these advances for medicine, agriculture and biodiversity. As a historian, however, he sets them against a complex social, political and cultural backdrop, arguing that everyone should have a voice in deciding what is necessary and right, not just what is possible. His riveting analysis warns that in a world beset by poverty, inequality and climate catastrophe, chasing apparently dazzling technofixes is rarely cost effective or morally justified. -- Georgina Ferry, scientist and broadcaster

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Book SynopsisNAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by The New Yorker and Science News What happens when you try to recreate a woolly mammoth—fascinating science, or conservation catastrophe? Jurassic Park meets The Sixth Extinction in Rise of the Necrofauna, a provocative look at de-extinction from acclaimed documentarist and science writer Britt Wray, PhD.In Rise of the Necrofauna, Wray takes us deep into the minds and labs of some of the world’s most progressive thinkers to find out. She introduces us to renowned futurists like Stewart Brand and scientists like George Church, who are harnessing the powers of CRISPR gene editing in the hopes of “reviving” extinct passenger pigeons, woolly mammoths, and heath hens. She speaks with Nikita Zimov, who together with his eclectic father Sergey, is creating Siberia’s Pleistocene Park—a daring attempt to rebuild the mammoth’s ancient ecosystem in order to save earth from climate disaster. Through interviews with these and other thought leaders, Wray reveals the many incredible opportunities for research and conservation made possible by this emerging new field.But we also hear from more cautionary voices, like those of researcher and award-winning author Beth Shapiro (How to Clone a Woolly Mammoth) and environmental philosopher Thomas van Dooren. Writing with passion and perspective, Wray delves into the larger questions that come with this incredible new science, reminding us that de-extinction could bring just as many dangers as it does possibilities. What happens, for example, when we bring an “unextinct” creature back into the wild? How can we care for these strange animals and ensure their comfort and safety—not to mention our own? And what does de-extinction mean for those species that are currently endangered? Is it really ethical to bring back an extinct passenger pigeon, for example, when countless other birds today will face the same fate?By unpacking the many biological, technological, ethical, environmental, and legal questions raised by this fascinating new field, Wray offers a captivating look at the best and worst of resurrection science.Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.

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Book SynopsisPublic health has never been more important, or more controversial. What states do, and fail to do, makes a significant difference to the lives we are able to lead. Putting public health first would allow improvements to the health of everyone, especially the worst off. Yet many citizens actively oppose state interference to improve population health, complaining that it encroaches on personal liberty. How should policymakers reconcile these conflicting priorities?This groundbreaking book argues that philosophy is not just useful, but vital, for thinking coherently about priorities in health policy and public policy. Novel, theoretically rigorous, yet practical, Philosophy for Public Health and Public Policy examines why it is so common for public policies to fail in practice to improve the problems they aim to solve, and what to do about this. It argues that a shift to complex systems approaches to policymaking is overdue. Philosophers need to become much more attuned to the contingenTrade ReviewJames Wilson's clear and tightly argued new book, Philosophy for Public Health and Public Policy: Beyond the Neglectful State, endeavors to carve out a space for a pragmatic, practice oriented philosophy in the world of public health policy making...I would recommend the book to those who are curious about methodology in normative ethics and about how to make scholarly endeavors more readily applicable to tough political and policy problems. * Kathryn MacKay, University of Sydney, Ethics *Table of Contents1: Introduction Part I: Philosophy for Public Policy 2: Evidence, Mechanisms and Complexity 3: Internal and External Validity in Ethical Reasoning 4: Ethics for Complex Systems Part II: Beyond the Neglectful State: an Ethical Framework for Public Health 5: Paternalism, Autonomy and the Common Good: Infringing liberty for the Sake of Health 6: The Right to Public Health 7: Which Risks to Health Matter Most? Part III: Structural Justice 8: Responsibility 9: Measuring and Combatting Health Related Inequalities 10: Communicable Disease 11: Conclusion

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Book SynopsisSince the Origin of Species was first published, Darwinism has been attacked for undermining traditional morality. In particular, because it emphasizes the kinship between humans and other animals, Darwinism seems incompatible with the traditional idea of human dignity - that human life has a special value, while other animals may be sacrificed for any purpose that humans choose. This book argues that Darwinism does undermine the traditional idea of human dignity; however, this is not a reason for rejecting Darwin''s outlook. Instead, it is a reason for rejecting human dignity and replacing it with a better moral view, a more enlightened ethic regarding both the value of human life and our treatment of nonhuman animals. This important book, presenting Darwin''s scientific and non-scientific views as one united theory, will stimulate all those interested in evolution, morality, religion, and animal rights to re-examine their views.Trade Review`Professor Rachel's study of ethics and evolution is an example of polemical writing at its best.' The Tablet`James Rachels can take a complex theory or tangled issue and make it lucid. The book is philosophically sophisticated, yet never obscure, pedantic, or muddled. The book should appeal to any thinking person who wishes to become better informed on the best current philosophical thought from the "animal rights" point of view.' Journal of Value Inquiry'he presents a stimulating argument in lucid prose, and demonstrates without question the relevance of Darwinian theory for ethics' Times Higher Education Supplement'A remarkably clear, straightforward, and brief discussion ... of the implications of Darwinism for animal rights.' Kirkus Reviews'lucid, thoughtful and well argued book ... Forceful, but never strident, it offers a moral perspective which thoughtful people, inside and outside the laboratory, would do well to ponder.' Philip Kitcher, University of California at San Diego, Nature'In his most engaging way, James Rachels ... shows how Darwinism undermines the traditional idea of human superiority, producing a book that is a powerful weapon in the war against speciesism.' RSPCA Journal'this ambitious book, like Rachels' previous books, is easy to read and is accessible to the many who want to know about how evolutionary biology, cognitive ethology and philosophy inform and motivate each other in coming to terms with many of the complex issues surrounding the treatment of non-humans by humans. But just because Created From Animals is an easy read, this does not mean that Rachels compromises quality. Rachels should be congratulated for his forthright, clear, and novel presentation, and also his willingness to argue openly a case that many would rather see argued behind closed doors or not at all.' Marc Bekoff, University of Colorado, Environmental Values vol.1, no.1'His style is pleasant, thoughtful, fair-minded and well-argued; and if the Christian reader is not convinced of the case Dr Rachels espouses he will nevertheless find this an interesting, instructive and rewarding study. ... this is a fascinating and worthwhile book.' Science & Christian Belief'it provides an excellent introduction to the whole of Darwin's life and thought' Ethology Ecology & Evolution 4: 1992`Rachels spells out some practical consequences of abandoning special category status for human beings.' The Heythrop Journal'His description of the development of Darwin's ideas about the mechanism of evolution is one of the best succinct summaries I have read.' Eugenie C. Scott, National Center for Science Education, Inc, Journal of Human Evolution (1993) 24Table of ContentsDarwin's discovery; how evolution and ethics might be related; must a Darwinian be sceptical about religion?; how different are humans from other animals?; morality without the idea that humans are special.

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Book SynopsisThis magisterial work is the first comprehensive study of the ethics of killing, where the moral status of the individual killed is uncertain. Drawing on philosophical notions of personal identity and the immorality of killing, McMahan looks carefully at a host of practical issues, including abortion, infanticide, the killing of animals, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.Trade ReviewWith a careful application of metaphysics to ethics, McMahan has developed a field of argument that has been insufficiently explored, and in so doing, created a whole new structure for the debates surrounding abortion and euthanasia. This makes this a novel and, at times, exciting book. * Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *McMahan's book is outstanding within the present literature in virtue of its breadth, succinctness, and argumentative erudition. The two dominant qualities of the book are, first, an extraordinary care for argumentative fairness and balance, and second, a new interest in bringing applied ethics into helpful contact with its so far neglected philosophical foundations. * Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Philosophie *McMahan is one of America's finest contemporary moral theorists...[His] long-awaited book combines a close attention to real-life moral issues with a solid insight into foundational matters of metaphysics and ethical theory. It is always well-argued, sophisticated and very interesting. The Ethics of Killing is an excellent book and deserves close study. I recommend it to anyone who, for professional or existential reasons, is interested in the topics it tackles. And who is not for the latter reasons? * Nordic Journal of Philosophy *An enormously rich contribution to personal identity theory, ethical theory, and applied ethics. [Each of the five hefty chapters] could be a short book of scholarly significance...Chapter 2 presents the most probing investigation of the harm of death of which I am aware. * David DeGrazia, Philosophy and Public Affairs *Publication of this book is a welcome event. McMahan's discussions involve analyses of more alternative views than, I suspect, anyone other than McMahan has ever imagined. The Ethics of Killing is detailed, careful, comprehensive, and innovative. [It] is an example of philosophy at the highest level. It is a genuine pleasure to have the opportunity to read such a probing, careful, analytical, honest, and utterly wonderful book. I recommend it highly. It would not be unreasonable to make it required reading for any graduate student (or anyone else) who needs to understand the nature of first-class philosophical thought. * Ethics *Wide range of issues ... richness in details ... an excellent book and deserves close study. I recommend it to anyone who, for professional or existential reasons, is interested in the topics it tackles. * Kasper Lippert-Rasmussen, University of Copenhagen, Sats: Nordic Journal of Philosopy *McMahan is one of America's finest contemporary moral theorists ... The book is well-argued, sophisticated and very interesting. * Kasper Lippert-Rasmussen, University of Copenhagen, Sats: Nordic Journal of Philosopy *The thoroughness and comprehensiveness with which he [McMahan] has worked out these ideas is deeply impressive. The presentation is throughout so lucid that non-specialists should be able to profit greatly from the book ... There could be no better proof of the vitality of the subject of death and killing than this monumental book. * Ingmar Persson, Times Literary SupplementIngmar Persson, Times Literary Supplement *The Ethics of Killing is applied ethics at its best. From now on, anyone who is serious about getting to the bottom of issues like abortion, infanticide, brain death, euthanasia and the killing of nonhuman animals will have to take account of the novel and ingenious theory presented in Jeff McMahan's lucidly-written, rigorously-argued book. * Peter Singer, Princeton University *McMahan is one of America's finest contemporary moral theorists... always well-argued, sophisticated and very interesting... it is an excellent book and deserves close study. I recommend it to anyone who, for professional or existential reasons, is interested in the topics it tackles. * Kasper Lippert-Rasmussen, Nordic Journal of Philosophy,Vol. 3, No. 2, 2002 *[McMahan's] language is clear and the arguments well presented ... recommended reading for anyone who wants to be informed about the arguments surrounding issues at the margins of life, whether they ultimately agree or disagree with what he has to say. * Bulletin of Medical Ethics *

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Book SynopsisBioethics represents a dramatic revision of the centuries-old ethics that governed the behaviour of physicians and their relationships with patients. Those ethics were challenged in the years after World War II by remarkable advances in biomedical science and medicine that raised questions about the defintion of death, the use of life-support systems, organ transplantation, and reproductive manipulation. In response, philosophers and theologians, lawyers and social scientists joined with physicians and scientists to rethink and revise the old standards. Governments established commissions to recommend policies. Courts heard arguments and legislatures passed laws. This book is the first broad history of the growing field of bioethics. Covering the period 1947-1987, it examines the origin and evolution of the debates over human experimentation, genetic engineering, organ transplantation, termination of life-sustaining treatment, and new reproductive technologies. It assesses the contributions of philosophy, theology, law and the social sciences to the expanding discourse of bioethics. Written by one of the fields founders, it is based on extensive archival research into resources that are difficult to obtain and on interviews with many leading figures. A very readable account of the development of bioethics, the book stresses the history of ideas but does not neglect the social and cultural context and the people involved.Trade ReviewFrom reviews of the Hardback:Bioethics, Albert Jonsen observes in the introduction to his important, highly personal, and readable book, did not begin with a bang. But what becomes very clear as one reads his recollections of the origins of the field, is that it did not begin with people prone to emit whimpers... Jonsen brings an elephantine memory and a deft pen to telling the story of what happened when the first theologians, philosophers, and physicians found themselves out on these ethical frontiers of medicine without much in the way of intellectual tools to help them. * The Journal of the American Medical Association *In The Birth of Bioethics Jonsen has written an in-depth review of bioethics, including a historical analysis of the field... This material should inform even sophisticated readers... Jonsen's depictions of the pioneers in bioethics whom he knew and worked with are vivid... Jonsen's unique insights, infused by the compassion he obviously feels, recommend this book strongly. * The New England Journal of Medicine *An intensely interesting history that will provoke many critical and constructive responses... it is a singular success. * Medical Humanities Review *... the book rarely fails to be both informative and engaging. It surely must be read by anyone interested in the transformation of traditional medical ethics in the last half of this century into the wide-ranging, multidisciplinary enterprise of Bioethics. * Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy *Jonsen's richly detailed narrative in a valuable vantage point for understanding and welcoming these dialogues. * Bulletin of the History of Medicine *Table of ContentsPART I: BIOETHICAL BEGINNINGS: THE PEOPLE AND PLACES ; 1. Great Issues of Conscience: Medical Ethics before Bioethics ; 2. The Theologians: Rediscovering the Tradition ; 3. The Philosophers: Clarifying the Concepts ; 4. Commissioning Bioethics: The Government in Bioethics, 1974-1983 ; PART II: BIOETHICAL BEGINNINGS: THE PROBLEMS ; 5. Experiments Perilous: The Ethics of Research with Human Subjects ; 6. Splicing Life: Genetics and Ethics ; 7. The Miracle of Modern Medicine: The Ethics of Organ Transplantation and Artificial Organs ; 8. Who Should Live? Who Should Die? The Ethics of Death and Dying ; 9. O Brave New World! The Ethics of Human Reproduction ; PART III: DISCIPLINE, DISCOURSE AND ETHOS ; 10. Bioethics as a Discipline ; 11. Bioethics as a Discourse ; 12. Bioethics - American and Elsewhere

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Book SynopsisFrom the time of Locke, discussions of personal identity have often ignored the question of our basic metaphysical nature: whether we human people are biological organisms, spatial or temporal parts of organisms, bundles of perceptions, or what have you. The result of this neglect has been centuries of wild proposals and clashing intuitions.What Are We? is the first general study of this important question. It beings by explaining what the question means and how it differs from others, such as questions of personal identity and the mind-body problem. It then examines in some depth the main possible accounts of our metaphysical nature, detailing both their theoretical virtues and the often grave difficulties they face.The book does not endorse any particular account of what we are, but argues that the matter turns on more general issues in the ontology of material things. If composition is universal--if any material things whatever make up something bigger--then we are temporal parts of organisms. If things never compose anything bigger, so that there are only mereological simples, then we too are simples--perhaps the immaterial substances of Descartes--or else we do not exist at all (a view Olson takes very seriously). The intermediate view that some things compose bigger things and others do not leads almost inevitably to the conclusion that we are organisms. So we can discover what we are by working out when composition occurs.Trade ReviewIn this invigorating new book, Eric Olsen investigates what we are, metaphysically speaking...The book is engagingly written in a conversational style...filled with many stimulating arguments. * Lynne Rudder Baker MIND *For anyone who wants to understand the question "What are we?"- and who wants to see how to begin to answer that question in a principled way- there is no better guide than Olson's book. * Trenton Merricks, Times Literary Supplement *Table of Contents1. The Question; 2. Animals; 3. Constitution; 4. Brains; 5. Temporal Parts; 6. Bundles; 7. Souls; 8. Nihilism; 9. What Now?

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Book SynopsisFor over thirty years Susan Wolf has been writing about moral and nonmoral values and the relation between them. This volume collects Wolf''s most important essays on the topics of morality, love, and meaning, ranging from her classic essay Moral Saints to her most recent The Importance of Love.Wolf''s essays warn us against the common tendency to classify values in terms of a dichotomy that contrasts the personal, self-interested, or egoistic with the impersonal, altruistic or moral. On Wolf''s view, this tendency ignores or distorts the significance of such values as love, beauty, and truth, and neglects the importance of meaningfulness as a dimension of the good life. These essays show us how a self-conscious recognition of the variety of values leads to new understandings of the point, the content, and the limits of morality and to new ways of thinking about happiness and well-being.Trade ReviewThe Variety of Values is a valuable contribution to contemporary ethics suitable for both professional philosophers and a more general readership. * Lucas Scripter, The Philosophical Quarterly *Table of Contents1. Introduction ; Part I: Moral and Nonmoral Values ; 2. Moral Saints ; 3. Morality and Partiality ; 4. Morality and the View From Here ; 5. Good-for-Nothings ; Part II: Meaning in Life ; 6. The Meanings of Lives ; 7. Happiness and Meaning: Two Aspects of the Good Life ; 8. Meaning and Morality ; Part III: Love ; 9. One Thought Too Many: Love, Morality, and the Ordering of Commitment ; 10. Loving Attention: Lessons in Love from The Philadelphia Story ; 11. The Importance of Love ; Part IV: The Concept of Duty ; 12. Above and Below the Line of Duty ; 13. The Role of Rules ; 14. Moral Obligations and Social Commands

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Book SynopsisThe questions and dilemmas of bioethics touch everyone. Should people who refuse to be vaccinated be treated for COVID-19, even if that displaces vaccinated patients with other serious conditions? What restrictions on abortion should there be, if any? Should women be paid to donate eggs? Bioethics: What Everyone Needs to Know discusses these and other similar questions facing the public today--as well as providing a way for thinking deeply about them.Steinbock and Menzel first examine major moral theories and how they can be used to analyze bioethical issues. They then provide historical background to the birth of bioethics and explain how it shifted from a paternalistic doctor knows best approach to respect for autonomy, a fundamental value in contemporary bioethics. Subsequent chapters cover advance directives, experimentation on human subjects, the definition of death, physician-assisted dying, abortion, disability, just healthcare systems, the allocation of scarce resources, pharmTrade ReviewThe book's coverage is excellent and more than sufficient to ground a robust understanding of contemporary bioethics. * Choice *

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Book SynopsisThe questions and dilemmas of bioethics touch everyone. Should people who refuse to be vaccinated be treated for COVID-19, even if that displaces vaccinated patients with other serious conditions? What restrictions on abortion should there be, if any? Should women be paid to donate eggs? Bioethics: What Everyone Needs to Know discusses these and other similar questions facing the public today--as well as providing a way for thinking deeply about them.Steinbock and Menzel first examine major moral theories and how they can be used to analyze bioethical issues. They then provide historical background to the birth of bioethics and explain how it shifted from a paternalistic doctor knows best approach to respect for autonomy, a fundamental value in contemporary bioethics. Subsequent chapters cover advance directives, experimentation on human subjects, the definition of death, physician-assisted dying, abortion, disability, just healthcare systems, the allocation of scarce resources, pharmTrade ReviewThe book's coverage is excellent and more than sufficient to ground a robust understanding of contemporary bioethics. * Choice *

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Book SynopsisEvery year, hundreds of millions of animals are used in the service of biomedical research, despite the risk of extreme cruelty to these animal subjects. The expansion of the pharmaceutical industry and university research funding rapidly normalized its practice. What exactly are these experiments supposed to achieve from the scientific point of view and how effective are they? Working scientists answer these questions by saying that their research is absolutely necessary if we are to develop new therapies for human diseases. But is this really the case? Written by a scientist with over 40 years of laboratory experience, The Rise and Fall of Animal Experimentation critically examines this assumption and asks whether it is true that animal-based research achieves its aims and, if so, how often this occurs and if there are alternatives to performing animal-based science. The book takes readers through the history of animal experimentation: its early beginnings in antiquity, how it advancTable of ContentsPrologue: The Seminar Chapter 1: Greek Awakenings Chapter 2: Circular Arguments Chapter 3: Mapping Humanity Chapter 4: Fear and Trembling Chapter 5: The Modern Prometheus Chapter 6: I Want to be Your Dog Chapter 7: Not Just Kids Chapter 8: The Cloud Cap'd Towers Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSocieties around the world are becoming increasingly multicultural, while the range of new or controversial medical procedures that are available to patients also grows. This has led to an increase in claims from healthcare professionals regarding their right to abide by their own moral or religious views and refuse a long list medical interventions or drugs. This list includes abortions, euthanasia, access to contraceptives, sterilizations, cosmetic surgery, and many others. Depending on circumstances, these interventions might or might not be consistent with professional standards; however, when deciding whether to provide them, many doctors would rely on their own conscientious views about the morality of each case instead of professional standards. As societies become more pluralistic and the range of medical options continues to grow, it is inevitable that the problem of conscientious objection in healthcare will as well.Rethinking Conscientious Objection in Health Care presents the case against the right of healthcare professionals to refuse delivery of certain healthcare services based on their moral views. It provides philosophical analyses of conscience and freedom of conscience, as well as the arguments and principles typically utilized when arguing in favor of allowing healthcare professionals conscientious objection. The authors criticize those arguments and offer a philosophical and historical analysis of the concept of professionalism, as well as an appeal to the nature of professional obligations, to build their case against the right to conscientious objection in healthcare. They explain why arguments for pluralism, tolerance, and diversity which support a right to freedom of conscience in society at large do not necessarily support the same right within the healthcare profession, or indeed any profession that is governed by internal norms of professionalism which an individual freely decides to enter.

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Book SynopsisMary Anne Warren explores a theoretical question which lies at the heart of practical ethics: what are the criteria for having moral status? In other words, what are the criteria for being an entity towards which people have moral obligations? Some philosophers maintain that there is one intrinsic property--for instance, life, sentience, humanity, or moral agency. Others believe that relational properties, such as belonging to a human community, are more important. In Part I of the book, Warren argues that no single property can serve as the sole criterion for moral status; instead, life, sentience, moral agency, and social and biotic relationships are all relevant, each in a different way. She presents seven basic principles, each focusing on a property that can, in combination with others, legitimately affect an agent''s moral obligations towards entities of a given type. In Part II, these principles are applied in an examination of three controversial ethical issues: voluntary euthaTrade ReviewThis book is well written, synoptic in its coverage of existing theories of moral status, and most useful for a beginning Contemporary Moral Problems or Medical Ethics class. * Ethics *The logic of the application of the principles she sets forth is clear. Her theory should prompt discussion and help clarify the concept of moral status. Her multicriterial approach for determining moral status has the potential to assist in the struggle to handle the complex moral issues prevalent today.Mary Anne Warren's enterprise, to delineate "obligations to persons and other living things" is potentially fruitful, and of considerable importance. * Mary Warnock, Times Higher Education Supplement *This is a thought-provoking book with much to recommend it. * Liam Clarke, Nursing Ethics *This book is ambitious in the ground it covers, attempting to discuss a number of theories of "moral status", and offer one of its own. It has much in it to interest people concerned about health care (particularly the discussions of euthanasia and abortion), as well as those interested in animal rights and environmental issues. * Journal of Medical Ethics *Table of ContentsPART I: AN ACCOUNT OF MORAL STATUS. 1. THE CONCEPT OF MORAL STATUS; 2. REVERENCE FOR LIFE; 3. SENTIENCE AND THE UTILITARIAN CALCULUS; 4. PERSONHOOD AND MORAL RIGHTS; 5. THE RELEVANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS; 6. A MULTI-CRITERIAL ANALYSIS OF MORAL STATUS. PART II: SELECTED APPLICATIONS. 7. APPLYING THE PRINCIPLES; 8. EUTHANASIA AND THE MORAL STATUS OF HUMAN BEINGS; 9. ABORTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS; 10. ANIMAL RIGHTS AND HUMAN LIMITATIONS; 11. CONCLUSION. BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX.

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Recent advances in the brain sciences have dramatically improved our understanding of brain function. As we find out more and more about what makes us tick, we must stop and consider the ethical implications of this new found knowledge. Will having a new biology of the brain through imaging make us less responsible for our behavior and lose our free will? Should certain brain scan studies be disallowed on the basis of moral grounds? Why is the media so interested in reporting results of brain imaging studies? What ethical lessons from the past can best inform the future of brain imaging?These compelling questions and many more are tackled by a distinguished group of contributors to this volume on neuroethics. The wide range of disciplinary backgrounds that the authors represent, from neuroscience, bioethics and philosophy, to law, social and health care policy, education, religion and film, allow for profoundly insightful and provocative answers to these questions, and open up the door

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Book SynopsisTransplantation is a medically successful and cost-effective way to treat people whose organs have failed--but not enough organs are available to meet demand. Ethics and the Acquisition of Organs is concerned with the major ethical problems raised by policies for acquiring organs. The main topics are the rights of the dead, the role of the family, opt in and opt out systems, the conscription of organs, living organ donation from adults and children, directed donation and priority for donors, and the sale of organs.In this ground-breaking work, T. M. Wilkinson uses concepts from moral and political theory such as autonomy, rights, posthumous interests, justice, and well-being, in a context informed by the clinical, legal, and policy aspects of transplantation. The result is a rigorous philosophical exploration of real problems and options. He argues that the ethics of acquiring organs for transplantation is not only of great intellectual interest, but also of practical importance. As suTrade ReviewBut Wilkinson's book is a good example of work in applied ethics which takes seriously the need to apply philosophical thinking to closely observed context, being well-informed of relevant scientific and medical facts, laws, policies, and just as importantly, giving extremely useful details on how practice often diverges from official policy. There should be more philosophical work like this. * Mind *Throughout the book, Wilkinson argues strongly for an ethics based on personal sovereignty. However, his clear analysis and criticism of competing ethical arguments gives the reader an excellent overview of the issues, whether or not one agrees with all of Wilkinson's conclusions. * J. B. Hagen, CHOICE *A robust and highly useful volume, working through many of the issues which get raised ... but seldom are offered the necessary time and attention ... This is what Wilkinson does with skill, critical engagement and coherency, bringing together different strands of thought and perspectives ... The result is an freeiring and intellectually rigorous text ... For me it was one of those books which, once I had finished reading it, I wanted to start reading it again in order to improve my understanding of the book's material and imbibe its many salient points ... I see this book as being an excellent resource not only for those studying in the field of applied ethics and bioethics but also those coming at the issues from the legal perspective, policymakers, clinicians, and lobby groups interested in transplantation. * BioCentre *Table of Contents1. INTRODUCTION ; 2. TRANSPLANTATION AND RIGHTS OVER OUR BODIES ; 3. THE POSSIBILITY OF POSTHUMOUS HARM ; 4. THE MORAL CLAIMS OF THE DEAD ; 5. THE DEAD AND THEIR FAMILIES ; 6. CONSENT AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE WISHES OF THE DEAD ; 7. CONSCRIPTION ; 8. LIVING DONOR ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION ; 9. IMPARTIALITY, ACQUISITION, AND ALLOCATION ; 10. ORGANS AND MONEY ; Bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisThis volume explores the ethics of making or expanding families through adoption or technologically assisted reproduction. For many people, these methods are separate and distinct: they can choose either adoption or assisted reproduction. But for others, these options blend together. For example, in some jurisdictions, the path of assisted reproduction for same-sex couples is complicated by the need for the partner who is not genetically related to the resulting child to adopt this child if she wants to become the child''s legal parent. The essays in this volume critically examine moral choices to pursue adoption, assisted reproduction, or both, and highlight the social norms that can distort decision-making. Among these norms are those that favour people having biologically related children (''bionormativity'') or that privilege a traditional understanding of family as a heterosexual unit with one or more children where both parents are the genetic, biological, legal, and social parenTrade Review`Anyone grappling with such questions must immediately welcome this impressively comprehensive collection of essays, artfully edited by Françoise Baylis and Carolyn McLeod. Indeed, anyone who shares at least one of these interests, personally or professionally, will appreciate the volume's breadth of insight. The editors set out to canvas the moral terrain of nontraditional family making, or family making through adoption and/or assisted reproductive technology (ART). And they have brought together papers that shed important light on the various contemporary ethical challenges that couples and individuals face depending on the manner in which they choose to welcome children into their lives.' Vida Panitch, International Journal of Feminist Approaches to BioethicsTable of ContentsFAMILIES: OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN 15; BIONORMATIVITY: PHILOSOPHICAL AND EMPIRICAL PERSPECTIVES; BECOMING A PARENT: PERSONAL CHOICES; BECOMING A PARENT: STATE INTERESTS; SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS; CONTESTED PRACTICES

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Book SynopsisWritten primarily for mid-to-upper level undergraduates, this primer will introduce students to topics at the forefront of the subject that are being applied to probe biological problems, or to address the most pressing issues facing society. This primer provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities of applying synthetic biological techniques to mammalian cells, tissues, and organisms.Table of Contents1: Jamie A. Davies: An introduction to mammalian synthetic biology 2: Jamie A. Davies: Special features of mammalian systems 3: Lenny Nelson and Alistair Elfick: Technologies for mammalian synthetic biology 4: Jamie A. Davies: Mammalian synthetic biology as a research tool 5: Jamie Billington, Anna Mastela, and Susan J Rosser.: Teaching mammalian cells to make new, useful things 6: Steven M. Pollard: Synthetic biology, stem cells and regenerative medicine 7: David Obree: The ethics of synthetic biology

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Book SynopsisGenetic and reproductive technology now offers us the possibility of choosing what kinds of children we do and don't have. Should we welcome this power, or should we fear its implications? The renowned moral philosopher and best-selling author Jonathan Glover suggests how we should try to deal with this urgent problem.Trade ReviewGlover's book is informative, argumentative and well structured. * Daniel Loewe Medicine Health Care and Philosophy *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Disability and Genetic Choice ; Disability and Human Flourishing ; Eugenics? ; 2. Parental Choice and What We Owe to Our Children ; The Boundaries of Parental Choice ; Two Dimensions of Ethics ; What do We Owe to Our Children? A Decent Chance of a Good Life ; What do We Owe to Our Children? Respect for Identity and Autonomy ; 3. Human Values and Genetic Design ; The Genetic Supermarket, Inequality, and Entrapment ; Should We Defend a Central Core of Human Nature? ; The Further Future

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Book SynopsisWhile procreation is ubiquitous, attention to the ethical issues involved in creating children is relatively rare. In Debating Procreation, David Benatar and David Wasserman take opposing views on this important question. David Benatar argues for the anti-natalist view that it is always wrong to bring new people into existence. He argues that coming into existence is always a serious harm and that even if it were not always so, the risk of serious harm is sufficiently great to make procreation wrong. In addition to these philanthropic arguments, he advances the misanthropic one that because humans are so defective and cause vast amounts of harm, it is wrong to create more of them.David Wasserman defends procreation against the anti-natalist challenge. He outlines a variety of moderate pro-natalist positions, which all see procreation as often permissible but never required. After criticizing the main anti-natalist arguments, he reviews those pronatalist positions. He argues that constrTrade ReviewA terrific and very accessible exchange between two highly accomplished philosophers that will not only provide readers with an excellent sense of the broader debate on procreative ethics but also introduce them to two original and contrasting contributions to that debate. * David Archard, Queen's University, Belfast *While Benatar advances probing arguments for the unusual view that all procreation is impermissible, Wasserman's carefully reasoned case for the permissibility of procreation is qualified in ways that many readers will find surprising. Both authors are highly distinguished philosophers whom it is exciting to follow as they develop and defend their clashing positions on the range of important issues they address. * Jeff McMahan, University of Oxford *Both incredibly well-written and full of new insight, Debating Procreation is the best that has yet been done on the difficult topic of procreative ethics. * Melinda Roberts, The College of New Jersey *In this concise volume, Benatar and Wasserman advance the procreative ethics debate clearly, provocatively, and innovatively. Each develops his side of the debate with originality, cogency, and wit, and engages with the latest arguments in the field. The problem is that they are both persuasive. * Rivka Weinberg, Scripps College *Debating Procreation: Is It Wrong to Reproduce? contains an excellent introduction to many of the ideas central to truly fascinating debates about the moral permissibility of progeny. * Allen Thompson, Analysis *The book is a pleasure to read * Lorraine Yeung, Philosophical Quarterly *Its authors, David Benatar and David Wasserman, are not only very capable philosophers, but also extremely gifted writers. The result is a highly engaging and provocative book. * Jason Marsh, Australasian Journal of Philosophy . *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; By David Benatar and David Wasserman ; Part One ; Anti-Natalism ; By David Benatar ; 1. Introducing Anti-Natalism ; 2. The Asymmetry Argument ; 3. The Quality of Life Argument ; 4. The Misanthropic Argument ; 5. Contra Procreation ; Part Two ; Pro-Natalism ; By David Wasserman ; 6. Better to Have Lived and Lost? ; 7 Against Anti-Natalism ; 8. The Good of the Future Child and the Parent-Child Relationship as Goals of Procreation ; 9. Impersonal Constraints on Procreation ; 10. Alternatives to Impersonal Approaches: Birthrights and Role-Based Duties

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Book SynopsisIt seems like every day society faces a new ethical challenge raised by a scientific innovation. Human genetic engineering, stem cell research, face transplantation, synthetic biology - all were science fiction only a few decades ago, but now are all reality. How do we as a society decide whether these technologies are ethical? For decades professional bioethicists have served as mediators between a busy public and its decision-makers, helping people understand their own ethical concerns, framing arguments, discrediting illogical claims, and supporting promising ones. These bioethicists play an instrumental role in guiding governments'' ethical policy decisions, consulting for hospitals faced with vital decisions, and advising institutions that conduct research on humans.Although the bioethics profession has functioned effectively for many years, it is now in crisis. Policy-makers are less inclined to take the advice of bioethics professionals, with many observers saying that bioethics debates have simply become partisan politics with dueling democratic and republican bioethicists. While this crisis is contained to the task of recommending ethical policy to the government, there is risk that it will spread to the other tasks conducted by bioethicists.To understand how this crisis came about and to arrive at a solution, John H. Evans closely examines the history of the bioethics profession. Bioethics debates were originally dominated by theologians, but came to be dominated by the emerging bioethics profession due to the subtle and slow involvement of the government as the primary consumer of bioethical arguments. After the 1980s, however, the views of the government changed, making bioethical arguments less legitimate. Exploring the sociological processes that lead to the evolution of bioethics to where it is today, Evans proposes a radical solution to the crisis. Bioethicists must give up its inessential functions, change the way they make ethical arguments, and make conscious and explicit steps toward re-establishing the profession''s legitimacy as a mediator between the public and government decision-makers.Table of ContentsPreface ; Introduction ; PART 1: THE HISTORY OF BIOETHICAL DEBATE ; AND THE BIOETHICS PROFESSION ; Chapter 1: The Emergence of Bioethical Debate and the Jurisdictional Struggle Between Science and Theology ; Chapter 2: The Theological Retreat, and the Emergence of the Bioethics Profession ; PART II: CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE JURISDICTIONAL CRISIS ; Chapter 3: The Rise of The Social Movement Activists ; PART III: TOWARD A NEW ERA OF BIOETHICAL DEBATE ; Chapter 4: Task Clarification, Saying the Argument for Jurisdiction ; Chapter 5: A Modified Method for the Bioethics Profession ; Chapter 6: Conclusion ; Works Cited

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Book SynopsisTo what extent should we use technology to try to make better human beings? Because of the remarkable advances in biomedical science, we must now find an answer to this question. Human enhancement aims to increase human capacities above normal levels. Many forms of human enhancement are already in use. Many students and academics take cognition enhancing drugs to get a competitive edge. Some top athletes boost their performance with legal and illegal substances. Many an office worker begins each day with a dose of caffeine. This is only the beginning. As science and technology advance further, it will become increasingly possible to enhance basic human capacities to increase or modulate cognition, mood, personality, and physical performance, and to control the biological processes underlying normal aging. Some have suggested that such advances would take us beyond the bounds of human nature. These trends, and these dramatic prospects, raise profound ethical questions. They have generatTrade ReviewReview from previous edition An excellent discussion by leading bioethicists of the issues raised by human enhancement. It would be excellent for use in classes devoted to spending at least a few weeks on enhancement, either at the upper-level undergraduate or graduate level. * Robert Streiffer, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Human Enhancement gives a thorough and authoritative overview of the current state of this rapidly evolving field. * Greg Bognar, Mind *Table of ContentsPART I - HUMAN ENHANCEMENT IN GENERAL; PART II SPECIFIC ENHANCEMENTS; PART III- ENHANCEMENT AS A PRACTICAL CHALLENGE

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Book SynopsisBiotechnologies already on the horizon will enable us to be smarter, have better memories, be stronger and quicker, have more stamina, live longer, be more resistant to diseases, and enjoy richer emotional lives. To some of us, these prospects are heartening; to others, they are dreadful. In Beyond Humanity a leading philosopher offers a powerful and controversial exploration of urgent ethical issues concerning human enhancement. These raise enduring questions about what it is to be human, about individuality, about our relationship to nature, and about what sort of society we should strive to have. Allen E. Buchanan urges that the debate about enhancement needs to be informed by a proper understanding of evolutionary biology, which has discredited the simplistic conceptions of human nature used by many opponents of enhancement. He argues that there are powerful reasons for us to embark on the enhancement enterprise, and no objections to enhancement that are sufficient to outweigh themTrade ReviewWhether or not the benefits are worth the risks, Buchanan's thought-provoking work deserves careful consideration. * Rev. Ezra Sullivan, National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly *Table of Contents1. The Landscape of the Enhancement Debate ; 2. Enhancement and Human Development Enhancement and Human Development ; 3. Character ; 4. Human Nature and the Natural ; 5. Conservatism and Enhancement ; 6. Unintended Bad Consequences ; 7. Moral Status and Enhancement ; 8. Distributive Justice and the Diffusion of Innovations

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Book SynopsisBefore curing was a possibility, medicine was devoted to the relief of suffering. Attention to the relief of suffering often takes a back seat in modern biomedicine. This book seeks to place suffering at the center of biomedical attention, examining suffering in its biological, psychological, clinical, religious, and ethical dimensions.Trade ReviewThe book is edited by a pathologist and a professor of religion. Their distinct professions inform the book, giving it a multidisciplinary feel that is necessary for addressing such a holistic subject. Although the essays are from scholars in a range of fields, they are generally jargon free. The result is a book accessible to bioethicists, theologians, medical professionals, and educated lay readers. * Doody's Notes *Table of ContentsForeword - Daniel Callahan ; Suffering and Bioethics: an introduction to the volume - Ronald M. Green and Nathan J. Palpant ; Part 1: The Nature, Meaning, and Experience of Suffering ; 1. Suffering and Human Dignity - Eric Cassell ; 2. Understanding Suffering - Barry Hoffmaster, ; 3. Paying Homage to the Silence of Suffering - Susan and Gordon Marino ; 4. Suffering, and the Promise of a World without Pain - Joseph Amato ; Part 2: Suffering in Biology ; 5. Social Neuroscience Meets Philosophy: Suffering, Empathy, and Moral Cognition -Jean Decety ; 6. The Biology of Suffering - Daniel Krashin, Natalia Murinova, Catherine Q. Howe, and Jane Ballantyne ; 7. What is Suffering and What Sorts of Beings Can Suffer? - David Degrazia ; Part 3: Suffering in Policy and Law ; 8. Individual and Social Callousness Toward Human Suffering - Daniel B. Hinshaw, Peter D. Jacobson, and Marisa P. Weisel ; 9. Human Rights and the Moral Obligation to Alleviate Suffering - Roberto Andorno and Cristiana Baffone ; 10. Exploring Interactions Between Suffering and the Law - Margaret Somerville ; Part 4: Worldview Perspectives on Suffering and Medicine ; 11. Suffering: A Catholic Theological-Ethical View -Lisa Cahill ; 12. The Orthodox Christian View of Suffering - H. Tristram Engelhardt Jr. ; 13. Redemptive Suffering Redeemed: A Protestant View of Suffering - Karen Lebacqz ; 14. Suffering: Reflections from the Jewish Tradition - Laurie Zoloth ; 15. Human Suffering through Illness in the Context of Islamic Bioethics - Abdulaziz Sachedina ; 16. Endure, Adapt, or Overcome? The Concept of 'Suffering' in Buddhist Bioethics - Jens Schlieter ; 17. Human Suffering and the Limits of Secular Bioethics - Mark Cherry ; Part 5: Suffering in the Ethics of Contemporary Medicine and Biotechnology ; 18. Reproductive Technology in Suffering's Shadow - Paul Lauritzen ; 19. Genomic Information and Suffering in the Genomic Era - Roberta Berry ; 20. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and the Prevention of Suffering - Mary Anderlik Majumder ; Part 6: Concluding Thoughts ; 21. Suffering and Ethics in an Age of Empowerment - Nathan J. Palpant ; 22. The Evil of Suffering - Ronald M. Green

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Book SynopsisHow has bioethics evolved into a legitimate specialty? When is such expertise necessary? How do bioethicists make their decisions? And whose interests do they serve? This book addresses these questions while reflecting on the ethical dilemmas that the author's ethnographic research among surgeons and genetic counselors has provoked.Trade Review"Bosk provides in these pages a rich and rigorous account of the ways in which medical ethics, ethnography, and social science illuminate the human condition. He is the finest ethnographer of his generation, and he offers to future generations a standard of ethnographic practice and reflection that is unrivaled in its appreciation of the nuances and complexities of making sense of people's lives." - Jonathan B. Imber, Wellesley College"

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Book SynopsisHow could the Holocaust have happened? And how can Germans make sure that it will never happen again? This title considers bioethical debates surrounding embryonic stem cell research in Germany at the turn of twenty-first century, highlighting how the country's ongoing struggle to come to terms with its past informs the decisions it makes today.Trade Review"Without a doubt, this is the finest ethnography of German political life and the inner workings of the German state that I have read - it is brilliantly attentive both to the cultural and historical legacies that shape German politics as well as to the realpolitik and complex alliances of its parliamentary statecraft." (Dominic Boyer, Rice University)"

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Book SynopsisHow could the Holocaust have happened? And how can Germans make sure that it will never happen again? This title considers bioethical debates surrounding embryonic stem cell research in Germany at the turn of twenty-first century, highlighting how the country's ongoing struggle to come to terms with its past informs the decisions it makes today.Trade Review"Without a doubt, this is the finest ethnography of German political life and the inner workings of the German state that I have read - it is brilliantly attentive both to the cultural and historical legacies that shape German politics as well as to the realpolitik and complex alliances of its parliamentary statecraft." (Dominic Boyer, Rice University)"

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Book SynopsisChris Kaposy reflects on parenting his son with Down syndrome in the midst of a supposed disappearance of people with this condition. Writing from a pro-choice, disability-positive perspective, Kaposy presents decades-old bioethical controversies, revealing the prehistory that has shaped current attitudes toward intellectual disability.Trade Review“The Beautiful Unwanted is wide-ranging in its discussion, covering historical terrain and past bioethical controversies, but doing so by interweaving personal experiences and continually linking up these discussions with the present day. Since Kaposy doesn’t follow a linear, temporal narrative, he effectively shows how we’ve inherited deeply rooted beliefs and attitudes that inform choices today.” Thomas W. Pearson, author of An Ordinary Future: Margaret Mead, the Problem of Disability, and a Child Born Different

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Book SynopsisA dramatic new way to explore controversial science: Socratic dialogues. These creative debates follow the nuances and complexities of stem cell research and emerging therapies for informed readers and newcomers alike.Trade ReviewKrimsky's use of the dialogue method identifies, sharpens, and advances key points of debate and the breadth of issues being addressed. -- Ronald M. Green, Dartmouth College Krimsky is not afraid to introduce the latest, often hyped-up findings and unresolved controversies in stem cell research and to offer a well-balanced discussion of their implications for potential therapies. -- Hynek Wichterle, Columbia University This book presents a wonderful new approach to learning about stem cells and thinking about their broader impact at the interface of society, policy, religion, and ethics. Stem Cell Dialogues is highly novel, very engaging, and will open readers to new ways of thinking about the public stem cell debate. It touches on many controversial areas related to stem cells in a well-informed and engaging style. Sheldon Krimsky is able to break down the pros and cons of each argument in a way that makes the stem cell conversation approachable and empowers the reader to draw their own conclusions. -- Jonathan Garlick, Tufts University Krimsky's coverage of topics is impressive, much more extensive than other available teaching tools. His approach is remarkably balanced, accessible, and interesting. The dialogues are open-ended, leaving the instructor the freedom to develop different ideas in different directions in the classroom. -- Julia Pedroni, Williams College Well-researched and enlightening... Readers will come away with an understanding of the pertinent scientific, political, and moral dilemmas. Library Journal An important book for anyone interested in the issues surrounding stem cell research. Choice The inquisitive form certainly fits the subject, which is multifaceted and evolving. Health Affairs Evenhanded, eminently readable, up to date, educational, scientifically precise, powerfully researched, and very entertaining, Krimsky's slim volume is one that no scientist, policy-maker, ethicist, or intelligent reader should miss... Although the stem-cell debate is complex and heated, Krimsky has done more than anyone else to make it tractable, clear, and interesting. Hastings Center Report As a lecturer in bioethics I regard this book as an immensely useful resource for my MA students...I welcome the contribution Stem Cell Dialogues makes in helping public understanding of the science, ethics and policy concerns of what continues to be a developing and important aspect of regenerative medicine. New BioethicsTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Harnessing Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine Dialogue 1. Hope Dialogue 2. Why Is This Cell Different from Other Cells? Dialogue 3. The President's Stem Cells Dialogue 4. The Dickey-Wicker Enigma Dialogue 5. The Moral Status of Embryos Dialogue 6. Creating Good from Immoral Acts Dialogue 7. Circumventing Embryocide Dialogue 8. My Personalized Beta Cells for Diabetes Dialogue 9. Repairing Brain Cells in Stroke Victims Dialogue 10. Reversing Macular Degeneration Dialogue 11. My Stem Cells, My Cancer Dialogue 12. Reprogramming Cells Dialogue 13. My Personalized Disease Cells Dialogue 14. To Clone or Not to Clone: That Is the Question Dialogue 15. Patenting Human Embryonic Stem Cells Is Immoral and Illegal (in Europe) Dialogue 16. My Embryo Is Auctioned on the Internet Dialogue 17. Here Comes the Egg Man: Oocytes and Embryos.org Dialogue 18. Human-Animal Chimeras and Hybrids Dialogue 19. Stem Cell Tourism Dialogue 20. Social Media Meet Science Hype Dialogue 21. Feminism and the Commercialization of Human Eggs/Embryos Dialogue 22. Was My Birth Embryo Me? Dialogue 23. Embryos Without Ovaries Dialogue 24. My Cells Are Drugs Dialogue 25. A Clinical Trial for Paralysis Treatment Epilogue Notes Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisA dramatic new way to explore controversial science: Socratic dialogues. These creative debates follow the nuances and complexities of stem cell research and emerging therapies for informed readers and newcomers alike.Trade ReviewKrimsky's use of the dialogue method identifies, sharpens, and advances key points of debate and the breadth of issues being addressed. -- Ronald M. Green, Dartmouth College Krimsky is not afraid to introduce the latest, often hyped-up findings and unresolved controversies in stem cell research and to offer a well-balanced discussion of their implications for potential therapies. -- Hynek Wichterle, Columbia University This book presents a wonderful new approach to learning about stem cells and thinking about their broader impact at the interface of society, policy, religion, and ethics. Stem Cell Dialogues is highly novel, very engaging, and will open readers to new ways of thinking about the public stem cell debate. It touches on many controversial areas related to stem cells in a well-informed and engaging style. Sheldon Krimsky is able to break down the pros and cons of each argument in a way that makes the stem cell conversation approachable and empowers the reader to draw their own conclusions. -- Jonathan Garlick, Tufts University Krimsky's coverage of topics is impressive, much more extensive than other available teaching tools. His approach is remarkably balanced, accessible, and interesting. The dialogues are open-ended, leaving the instructor the freedom to develop different ideas in different directions in the classroom. -- Julia Pedroni, Williams College Well-researched and enlightening... Readers will come away with an understanding of the pertinent scientific, political, and moral dilemmas. Library Journal An important book for anyone interested in the issues surrounding stem cell research. Choice The inquisitive form certainly fits the subject, which is multifaceted and evolving. Health Affairs Evenhanded, eminently readable, up to date, educational, scientifically precise, powerfully researched, and very entertaining, Krimsky's slim volume is one that no scientist, policy-maker, ethicist, or intelligent reader should miss... Although the stem-cell debate is complex and heated, Krimsky has done more than anyone else to make it tractable, clear, and interesting. Hastings Center ReportTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Harnessing Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine Dialogue 1. Hope Dialogue 2. Why Is This Cell Different from Other Cells? Dialogue 3. The President's Stem Cells Dialogue 4. The Dickey-Wicker Enigma Dialogue 5. The Moral Status of Embryos Dialogue 6. Creating Good from Immoral Acts Dialogue 7. Circumventing Embryocide Dialogue 8. My Personalized Beta Cells for Diabetes Dialogue 9. Repairing Brain Cells in Stroke Victims Dialogue 10. Reversing Macular Degeneration Dialogue 11. My Stem Cells, My Cancer Dialogue 12. Reprogramming Cells Dialogue 13. My Personalized Disease Cells Dialogue 14. To Clone or Not to Clone: That Is the Question Dialogue 15. Patenting Human Embryonic Stem Cells Is Immoral and Illegal (in Europe) Dialogue 16. My Embryo Is Auctioned on the Internet Dialogue 17. Here Comes the Egg Man: Oocytes and Embryos.org Dialogue 18. Human-Animal Chimeras and Hybrids Dialogue 19. Stem Cell Tourism Dialogue 20. Social Media Meet Science Hype Dialogue 21. Feminism and the Commercialization of Human Eggs/Embryos Dialogue 22. Was My Birth Embryo Me? Dialogue 23. Embryos Without Ovaries Dialogue 24. My Cells Are Drugs Dialogue 25. A Clinical Trial for Paralysis Treatment Epilogue Notes Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisAn account of the complex relationship between technology and romanticism that links nineteenth-century monsters, automata, and mesmerism with twenty-first-century technology's magic devices and romantic cyborgs.Romanticism and technology are widely assumed to be opposed to each other. Romanticism—understood as a reaction against rationalism and objectivity—is perhaps the last thing users and developers of information and communication technology (ICT) think about when they engage with computer programs and electronic devices. And yet, as Mark Coeckelbergh argues in this book, this way of thinking about technology is itself shaped by romanticism and obscures a better and deeper understanding of our relationship to technology. Coeckelbergh describes the complex relationship between technology and romanticism that links nineteenth-century monsters, automata, and mesmerism with twenty-first-century technology's magic devices and romantic cyborgs.Coeckelbergh a

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Book SynopsisThe first book on active matter, an emerging field focused on programming physical materials to assemble themselves, transform autonomously, and react to information.The past few decades brought a revolution in computer software and hardware; today we are on the cusp of a materials revolution. If yesterday we programmed computers and other machines, today we program matter itself. This has created new capabilities in design, computing, and fabrication, which allow us to program proteins and bacteria, to generate self-transforming wood products and architectural details, and to create clothing from “intelligent textiles” that grow themselves. This book offers essays and sample projects from the front lines of the emerging field of active matter.Active matter and programmable materials are at the intersection of science, art, design, and engineering, with applications in fields from biology and computer science to architecture and fashion. These essays contex

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of the scientific mindset—such character virtues as curiosity, veracity, attentiveness, and humility to evidence—and its importance for science, democracy, and human flourishing.Exemplary scientists have a characteristic way of viewing the world and their work: their mindset and methods all aim at discovering truths about nature. In An Instinct for Truth, Robert Pennock explores this scientific mindset and argues that what Charles Darwin called “an instinct for truth, knowledge, and discovery” has a tacit moral structure—that it is important not only for scientific excellence and integrity but also for democracy and human flourishing. In an era of “post-truth,” the scientific drive to discover empirical truths has a special value.Taking a virtue-theoretic perspective, Pennock explores curiosity, veracity, skepticism, humility to evidence, and other scientific virtues and vices. He explains that curiosity i

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisAn argument that what makes science distinctive is its emphasis on evidence and scientists' willingness to change theories on the basis of new evidence. Attacks on science have become commonplace. Claims that climate change isn't settled science, that evolution is “only a theory,” and that scientists are conspiring to keep the truth about vaccines from the public are staples of some politicians' rhetorical repertoire. Defenders of science often point to its discoveries (penicillin! relativity!) without explaining exactly why scientific claims are superior. In this book, Lee McIntyre argues that what distinguishes science from its rivals is what he calls “the scientific attitude”—caring about evidence and being willing to change theories on the basis of new evidence. The history of science is littered with theories that were scientific but turned out to be wrong; the scientific attitude reveals why even a failed theory can help us to u

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of the basis on which the Vatican presumes to proclaim universally binding prescriptions, paying particular attention to those concerning the value of human life. Against this background, the book assesses the demand that an embryo should be treated as a person.Table of ContentsPart 1: Catholic and universal; inalienable human rights; embryos, human beings, and persons. Part 2 Mediation and St Thomas Acquinas: salvation through mediation; body and soul; knowledge of the natural law; the influence of Thomas. Part 3 What price human life?: dubious headlines; double-effect and the Pauline principle; irreconcible commitments; the price of humanlife; the inevitable conclusion. Part 4 Natural and divine values: revelation and knowledge of moral law; natural law and civil legislation; church teaching and natural law; natural law and the special value of human life; revelation and the special value of human life. Part 5 The argument of the instruction: the concept of a person; the embryo as person?; souls and embryos; the potentiality argument. Part 6 Doubt and scepticism: the benefit-of-the-doubt argument; further considerations regarding the concept of a person; the 19th century perspective changes; doubt and scepticism; "The one who will be a man already is one". Part 7 Revelation and legislation: the citizen's rights; the embryo/fetus as a citizen?; the Christian's dilemma; justice and inequality; concluding remark - religion, reason, and civil society.

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