Overview

In the last few decades, as new reproductive technologies have been developed, couples desiring children have increasingly turned to various medical interventions when natural conception has been unsuccessful. These new technologies have raised ethical concerns from various quarters, including medical ethics committees, the American Fertility Society, and the Roman Catholic Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In this informative overview of the ethical implications of reproductive technologies, philosopher Richard T Hull offers a cross-section of the thinking of individuals specialising in the ethical and legal problems involved in this new area of medicine. The contributors reflect interests as varied as those of the enthusiastic proponent of the new reproductive technologies, the feminist opposing the exploitation of women, the social critic worrying about erosion of the responsibilities of parenting, and the traditionalist concerned with the transformation of the fundamental moral fabric and social character of the family. Many of the chapters include cases for further discussion and reflection. Also included are three speculative scenarios: selections from Margaret Atwood's ""The Handmaid's Tale"", Aldous Huxley's ""Brave New World"", and Gena Corea's report of the drive to develop an artificial womb. New to this edition are a glossary, which provides succinct definitions of highly technical terms and Web sites for further information, and a thorough index. This excellent collection of expert articles will stimulate appreciation of the complex and muti-tiered character of moral decision-making as it is experienced by patients, medical professionals, and legislators and jurists charged with preserving, protecting, and applying justly the principles of society.

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9781591023005

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Reviews

This book provides many potentially interesting hours of discussion for college courses in ethics and morals. Health care professionals, particularly those who counsel infertile couples, will find it an accurate, up-to-date reference source book. Infertile couples, their friends, and their families will find, from the many different viewpoints expressed, guides for personal and societal decisions. <br>- review of the first edition in Science Books and Films

Author Information

Richard T. Hull is professor emeritus of philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo; the author of numerous articles on ethical theory; and the editor of Ethical Issues in the New Reproductive Technologies; William H. Werkmeister, Martin Heidegger on the Way; and A Quarter Century of Value Inquiry: Presidential Addresses of the American Society of Value Inquiry.

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