Bioethics

An Introduction for the Biosciences

Second Edition

Ben Mepham

Bioethical issues remain front-page news, with debate continuing to rage over issues including genetic modification, animal cloning, and "designer babies." With public opinion often driven by media speculation, how can we ensure that informed decisions regarding key bioethical issues are made in a reasoned, objective way?
Ideal for readers who are new to the subject, Bioethics: An Introduction for the Biosciences offers a balanced, objective introduction to the field. With a focus on developing powers of reasoning and judgment, the book presents different perspectives on common themes in an impartial way, thereby fostering debate and discussion. The book covers a broad range of bioethical issues relating to people, animals, and food, before concluding with an overview of bioethics in practice.

Bioethics

An Introduction for the Biosciences

Second Edition

Ben Mepham

Description

Bioethical issues remain front-page news, with debate continuing to rage over issues including genetic modification, animal cloning, and "designer babies." With public opinion often driven by media speculation, how can we ensure that informed decisions regarding key bioethical issues are made in a reasoned, objective way?

Ideal for students new to the subject, Bioethics: An Introduction for the Biosciences offers a balanced, objective introduction to the field. With a focus on developing powers of reasoning and judgment, the book presents different perspectives on common themes in an impartial way, thereby fostering debate and discussion. The opening section, "The Ethical Groundwork," introduces students to the nature of bioethics and ethical theory. The book goes on to cover a broad range of bioethical issues relating to people, animals, and food, before concluding with an overview of bioethics in practice.

Features:

* The broadest, most balanced textbook on bioethics available, offering students just the right mix of science and philosophy as well as a clear, objective introduction to the subject
* Presents different perspectives on common themes in order to encourage students to question, evaluate, and form their own opinions
* Incorporates many useful pedagogical tools including self-assessment questions, topics for discussion, and exercises
* Includes references for further reading and useful web sites
* A companion website offers resources for both students and instructors

Previous publication dates

July 2005

Bioethics

An Introduction for the Biosciences

Second Edition

Ben Mepham

I. The Theoretical Background to Bioethics
1. The Nature of Bioethics
2. Theories of Ethics
3. A Framework for Ethical Analysis
II. Bioethics and Human Futures
4. The Biology of Poverty
5. Fertility and Morality
6. Genomics, Eugenics and Integrity
III. Bioethics and Animals
7. Human Uses of Animals
8. Experiments on Animals
9. Animals and Modern Biotechnology
IV. Bioethics, Plants, and the Environment
10. The First Generation of Genetically Modified Crops
11. Dietary Futures
12. Environmental Sustainability
V. Bioethics in Practice
13. Risk, Precaution, and Trust
14. Politics and the Biosciences
15. Bioethics in the Laboratory

Bioethics

An Introduction for the Biosciences

Second Edition

Ben Mepham

Reviews and Awards

"I am impressed with Mepham's knowledge of bioethics and his ability to articulately and intelligently communicate that knowledge to introductory students. His logical, objective approach in discussing a subject that is widely misunderstood, and often feared, is timely and important. I can think of no other textbook that I would rather have in the classroom when asking students to leave their opinions, biases, and intellectual baggage at the door and consider bioethics in a meaningful, thoughtful, and substantive manner."--Jason Johnstone-Yellin, University of Idaho