Overview

Contemporary Issues in Bioethics: A Catholic Perspective applies the best of the Roman Catholic theological and ethical tradition to some of the most controversial and complex bioethical topics that confront contemporary society. Authors James Walter and Thomas Shannon offer a fresh analysis from the Catholic tradition and show how a specifically Catholic perspective might inform public discussion on these issues. In an age where it is claimed that religion should not be part of ethical discussion on bioethical issues, this book takes a decidedly different tack and shows that the Catholic tradition has something very important to offer. Contemporary Issues in Bioethics combines clear, concise and accessible prose with teachable case studies on such issues as reproductive cloning, quality of life and clinical decision making, and the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration. Divided into four sections—theological issues, issues at the beginning of life, issues with genetic medicine and the care of ill patients, and issues at the end of life— this book is ideal for use in college, university, and seminary courses on bioethics, as well as for medical professionals, policy makers, and individual readers.

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9780742550612

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Reviews

Walter and Shannon have the long experience, sure judgment, ample wisdom and deft style to carry off this creative revitalization of the Catholic bioethical heritage. They will both enlighten scholars and educate newcomers to important debates about new technologies and the state of health care today. The authors make it clear how rich are the resources Catholicism brings to urgent dilemmas in medicine and policy that should be of concern to everyone. -- Cahill, Lisa Sowle Two giants in contemporary bioethics provide a lucid and breathtaking analysis of how the Catholic moral tradition can shape and inform the most neuralgic issues in health care. This work offers a very practical and user-friendly study for students and scholars in the academy, for clinicians and other professionals in health care, as well as for patients and families struggling with Catholic teaching about controversies in bioethics. The authors display a profound respect for the Catholic moral tradition to enhance its influence in the high-tech culture of health care today. -- Gerard Magill Thorough, nuanced and challenging, this new work by Walter and Shannon is a welcome addition to the resources for the teaching and practice of Catholic bioethics. Nicely balanced between theoretical and practical considerations, Contemporary Issues in Bioethics captures the diversity of Catholic perspectives on life and death issues while showing us exactly what is lost when religious voices are missing or distorted in our public debates. -- Maura A. Ryan

Two giants in contemporary bioethics provide a lucid and breathtaking analysis of how the Catholic moral tradition can shape and inform the most neuralgic issues in health care. This work offers a very practical and user-friendly study for students and scholars in the academy, for clinicians and other professionals in health care, as well as for patients and families struggling with Catholic teaching about controversies in bioethics. The authors display a profound respect for the Catholic moral tradition to enhance its influence in the high-tech culture of health care today.--Gerard Magill

Author Information

James J. Walter is the Austin & Ann O'Malley Professor of Bioethics and Chair of The Bioethics Institute at Loyola Marymount University. He is co-author (with Thomas Shannon) of The New Genetic Medicine: Theological and Ethical Reflections. Thomas A. Shannon is Professor of Religion and Social Ethics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA. He is the editor of Rowman & Littlefield's Readings in Bioethics series.

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