Basics of Bioethics

Robert M. Veatch, Ph.D., is Professor of Medical Ethics and former director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, where he is also professor of philosophy and adjunct professor in the medical school. He has taught medical ethics at Georgetown, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Union College, and St. George's University School of Medicine. He was formerly Associate for Medical Ethics at the Hastings Center and is a registered pharmacist.

"As a leader and pioneer in the field, Veatch is very solid in terms of accuracy." Kyle Fedler, Ashland University, USA"I've used the Veatch book in teaching bioethics in short courses to non-philosophy audiences: medical students, physical therapy students, physician assistants, etc. They like it very much. It is readable, accessible, and interesting. The examples are well-chosen and memorable. The topics are well-chosen and coverage [is] appropriate. The presentation is balanced and thought-provoking." Leslie Pickering Francis, University of Utah, USA

• Chapter 1: A Map of the Terrain of EthicsChapter 2: The Hippocratic Oath and Its Challengers: A Brief HistoryChapter 3: Defining Death, Abortion, and Animal Welfare: The Basis of Moral StandingChapter 4: Problems in Benefiting and Avoiding Harm to the PatientChapter 5: The Ethics of Respect for Persons: Lying, Cheating, and Breaking Promises and Why Physicians Have Considered Them EthicalChapter 6: The Principle of Avoiding of KillingChapter 7: Death and Dying: The Incompetent PatientChapter 8: Social Ethics of Medicine: Allocation of Resources, Transplantation, and Human Subjects ResearchChapter 9: Human Control of Life: Genetics, Birth Technologies and Modifying Human NatureChapter 10: Resolving Conflicts Among PrinciplesChapter 11: The Virtues in BioethicsAppendices:Hippocratic OathPrinciples of Medical Ethics (2001))of the American Medical AssociationUniversal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (2005)