Bioethics: An Introduction for the Biosciences / Edition 2

by Ben Mepham

Overview

Bioethical issues remain front-page news, with debate continuing to rage over issues including genetic modification, animal cloning, and "designer babies." With public opinion often driven by media speculation, how can we ensure that informed decisions regarding key bioethical issues are made in a reasoned, objective way?

Ideal for students new to the subject, Bioethics: An Introduction for the Biosciences offers a balanced, objective introduction to the field. With a focus on developing powers of reasoning and judgment, the book presents different perspectives on common themes in an impartial way, thereby fostering debate and discussion. The opening section, "The Ethical Groundwork," introduces students to the nature of bioethics and ethical theory. The book goes on to cover a broad range of bioethical issues relating to people, animals, and food, before concluding with an overview of bioethics in practice.

Features:

* The broadest, most balanced textbook on bioethics available, offering students just the right mix of science and philosophy as well as a clear, objective introduction to the subject
* Presents different perspectives on common themes in order to encourage students to question, evaluate, and form their own opinions
* Incorporates many useful pedagogical tools including self-assessment questions, topics for discussion, and exercises
* Includes references for further reading and useful web sites
* A companion website offers resources for both students and instructors

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199214303
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/25/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	438
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Ben Mepham is Special Professor in Applied Bioethics, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham and Visiting Professor in Bioethics, Department of Policy Studies, University of Lincoln, UK.

Table of Contents

I. The Theoretical Background to Bioethics1. The Nature of Bioethics2. Theories of Ethics3. A Framework for Ethical AnalysisII. Bioethics and Human Futures4. The Biology of Poverty5. Fertility and Morality6. Genomics, Eugenics and IntegrityIII. Bioethics and Animals7. Human Uses of Animals8. Experiments on Animals9. Animals and Modern BiotechnologyIV. Bioethics, Plants, and the Environment10. The First Generation of Genetically Modified Crops11. Dietary Futures12. Environmental SustainabilityV. Bioethics in Practice13. Risk, Precaution, and Trust14. Politics and the Biosciences15. Bioethics in the Laboratory

Editorial Reviews

"I am impressed with Mepham's knowledge of bioethics and his ability to articulately and intelligently communicate that knowledge to introductory students. His logical, objective approach in discussing a subject that is widely misunderstood, and often feared, is timely and important. I can think of no other textbook that I would rather have in the classroom when asking students to leave their opinions, biases, and intellectual baggage at the door and consider bioethics in a meaningful, thoughtful, and substantive manner."—Jason Johnstone-Yellin, University of Idaho

From the Publisher