Ethics in Reproductive Medicine

Medical ethics is a difficult and controversial field and that part of it dealing with reproductive medicine is no exception. Our first conference on philosophical ethics in reproductive medicine (PERM 1) in 1988 discussed many of the controversies in this field. The acclaim it received encouraged us to organise PERM 2 but choosing a relevant and topical programme was a clairvoyant challenge in its own right. Since PERM 1 we have seen a number of developments, in the UK and internationally, that have thrown the problems that society must face into sharp relief. Drawing on the expertise of contributors from science, many medical specialities, philosophy, theology and economics, we have sought to address the issues raised by these new developments, as well as a number of long-standing issues that remain as contentious as ever, but of undiminished significance. On the scientific front, the long-predicted technique of embryo biopsy and diagnosis is now a reality. This has prompted the inclusion of some of the topics addressed by this second conference.

Klappentext

The complexity of ethical issues involving unborn children is laid out in this book by leaders in the fields of medicine, theology, philosophy and economics; contributions are also made by representatives of family planning organisations and afflicted patients. The subject of human embryo manipulation springs immediately to mind and is fully discussed here.In addition, a wide range of questions are addressed. What rights do parents have with regards to an embryo or fetus? What ethical dilemmas are posed by the population crisis? Where do professionals stand in the abortion debate? Is it ethical to allocate new technological resources indiscriminantly? The book not only investigates these areas of debate, but also considers the nature of the debate itself: the role that various participants play and the tactics that they use for promoting their arguments. This approach allows you to understand both the arguments involved and the ways in which the various contenders present them.

Inhalt
1 Embryo Therapy: What Can Be Done?.- 2 Embryo Therapy: Is There a Clinical Need?.- 3 Embryo Therapy: The Philosopher's Role in Ethical Debate.- 4 The Rights of the Pre-embryo and Fetus to In-vitro and In-vivo Therapy.- 5 Respect for Life: Embryonic Considerations.- 6 Maternal-Fetal Conflict: Pregnant Drug Addicts.- 7 Expanding Human Populations and Their Ecosystems.- 8 Maternal Mortality in Developing Countries.- 9 The Nature of Love.- 10 The Ethics of Sexual Restraint.- 11 Clinical Research and the Consumer.- 12 Is It Ethical To Be Efficient?.- 13 Screening and Discriminating: Resource Implications of the New Technology.- 14 Epidemiology of Induced Abortion.- 15 The Complex Problem of Abortion.- 16 Toleration in the Abortion Debate.- 17 Tolerance: Virtue or Vice?.- 18 Are There Moral Authorities?.