Due Consideration - by Arthur L Caplan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This book explores the ethical challenges posed at the cutting edge of biomedical science and health care. Art Caplan, one of the nation's leading theorists, clearly outlines the newest technologies and developments in medical research, then thoughtfully sorts through the potential ethical, legal, and social repercussions. He examines a huge number of the most current and controversial subjects--abortion, cloning, managed care, needle exchange programs to prevent the transmission of HIV, and much more.

Art Caplan makes his mark as one of today's leading ethicists with this powerful exploration of the moral dilemmas humanity must face in the advancement of biomedical science and health care. After outlining the newest technologies and developments in medical research, he thoughtfully sorts through the potential ethical, legal, and social repercussions of cloning, abortion, assisted suicide, and needle exchange programs. No other book combines such probing analytical clarity.

From the Back Cover

If scientists can successfully clone sheep, will humans be next? Today's headlines read like a science fiction novel! Due Consideration takes a poignant look at the rapidly changing field of biomedicine and the consequences it will have on our lives. Arthur Caplan, one of this nation's leading bioethicists, explores these issues and analyzes moral questions including:
* Will we retain our essential humanity if we modify our biological blueprint?
* Would it be irresponsible to procreate without a thorough genetic examination?
* Who will decide if physical traits like short stature and baldness are considered diseases?
* Can biomedicine make our lives better?
You'll also learn about the most current and controversial topics such as:
* Cloning, abortion and assisted suicide.
* Genetically engineering a human to be immune from infectious diseases.
* The ability to "design" our children from head to toe.
* Diagnosing and treating illnesses during fetal development.
* Programs to prevent the transmission of HIV.
No other book on the market today combines this analytic clarity with the latest from medical journals and media headlines. Now, you can decide for yourself what the future ought to hold in store.

About the Author

Arthur Caplan is the Director of the Center for Bioethics and Trustee Professor of Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. He has published numerous books including When Medicine Went Mad (1992). He is a frequent commentator in the media including National Public Radio, Nightline, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and Time Magazine. He has written more than 350 articles and reviews in professional journals on philosophy, medicine, health policy and the biological sciences. He's currently involved in consulting and policy for various committees including the Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Syndrome, Clinton Health Care Task Force, Office of Technology Assessment of the United States Congress, American Federation for AIDS Research and many more.