Books in the Cambridge Bioethics and Law series

Research in bioethics is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, and researchers are turning to novel methodologies that combine the benefits of both theoretical and empirical research. Contributions in this volume are written by experts in the field, bringing together the most recent developments in methodological thinking and offering new insights into established approaches.

Jointly written by an academic surgeon and an analytic philosopher with a special interest in medical ethics, Trust in Medicine should appeal to those participating in the ongoing debate about the nature and decline of trust - be it as medical professionals, medical ethicists, medical lawyers, or philosophers.

Written for students and researchers in legal, medical and social ethics, the authors examine evidence on euthanasia from Belgium, one of only five countries where it is legal. A valuable contribution to the international debate about assisted dying, this book is an ideal foundation for informed debate on this complex issue.

How cogent is the 'slippery slope' objection to the issue of whether voluntary euthanasia is permissible? Is it reasonable to argue that patients who did not make a free and informed request would be killed? This lucid introduction to this question will interest all on both sides of the debate.

Research in bioethics is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, and researchers are turning to novel methodologies that combine the benefits of both theoretical and empirical research. Contributions in this volume are written by experts in the field, bringing together the most recent developments in methodological thinking and offering new insights into established approaches.

How should the law deal with the challenges raised by advancing biotechnology? This book offers a philosophical and legal re-analysis of the law in relation to property in the body and biomaterials. It will appeal to academics working on issues crossing biotechnology, law, ethics and policy.

Written for students and researchers in legal, medical and social ethics, the authors examine evidence on euthanasia from Belgium, one of only five countries where it is legal. A valuable contribution to the international debate about assisted dying, this book is an ideal foundation for informed debate on this complex issue.

This interdisciplinary book for philosophers, legal scholars, and medico-legal practitioners offers a unique relational account of mental capacity through critical analysis of concepts such as autonomy and rationality. It explores how relationships, and specific relational, dialogical practices, can enable or disable the decision-making of individuals with impairments.

This second edition provides a more informed alternative to the blame culture which has increasingly come to dominate our response to accidents, whether in the medical field or elsewhere. It is aimed at all who have a deep interest in patient safety, medical law and the regulation of healthcare.

This book is a wide-ranging synthesis of market developments in body tissue.

This illuminating study provides a detailed discussion of the role of law and regulation in patient safety and argues that medical professionalism must evolve to embrace a patient-centred perspective. It will appeal to researchers of medical law and ethics, and those working on public health and social policies.

A comprehensive resource on health information technology and its legal, ethical, and policy implications, focusing on the intersection of law and policy. Combining exhaustive research with accessible writing, it will appeal to readers with diverse levels of expertise, including academics, students, health care providers, attorneys, and policy-makers.

Continuous sedation is becoming increasingly common in end-of-life care. It raises many concerns, though, especially regarding reducing or removing consciousness, withholding hydration and whether it amounts to 'slow euthanasia'. In this book, ethicists, clinicians and lawyers address these concerns and discuss various justifications and guidelines for the practice.

In times of global economic and political crises, the notion of solidarity is gaining new currency. Exemplified by three case studies from medicine and health, this book shows how solidarity can make a difference in how we frame problems in biomedicine, and help develop innovative solutions.

This volume considers historical comparisons and the current laws in jurisdictions such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Norway in order to explore the question of if and when it is appropriate to criminalise the transmission of contagion.

This book provides a comprehensive and approachable overview of Medicare under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The author illustrates how the ACA addresses the long-term fiscal and demographic challenges facing Medicare, as well as the potential for Medicare to become a single-payer system.

Personal genetic information is increasingly accessible. Consumers can obtain and share information through DNA tests purchased online. Databases make personal details available for research or criminal investigation. This book examines the right to know or not to know genetic information about yourself and others.

Personal genetic information is increasingly accessible. Consumers can obtain and share information through DNA tests purchased online. Databases make personal details available for research or criminal investigation. This book examines the right to know or not to know genetic information about yourself and others.

The conscription of criminal law into moral controversy and the (perceived) rise in criminal investigations of medical errors set the backdrop for this analysis of the relationship between medicine, bioethics and criminal law. Includes case studies on abortion, end of life and the separation of conjoined twins.

Since Dolly the sheep was born, controversy has swirled around the technology of cloning. We recoil at the prospect of human copies, manufactured men and women, nefarious impersonators and resurrections of the dead. Such reactions have serious legal consequences: lawmakers have banned stem cell research along with the cloning of babies. But what if our minds have been playing tricks on us? What if everything we thought we knew about human cloning is rooted in intuition rather than fact? Human Cloning: Four Fallacies and their Legal Consequences is a rollicking ride through science, psychology and the law. Drawing on sources ranging from science fiction films to the Congressional Record, this book unmasks the role that psychological essentialism has played in bringing about cloning bans. It explains how hidden intuitions have caused conservatives and liberals to act contrary to their own most cherished ideals and values.

The potential of the e-health revolution, increased data sharing, database linking, biobanks and new techniques such as geolocation and genomics to advance human health is immense. For the full potential to be realized, though, privacy and confidentiality will have to be dealt with carefully. Problematically, many conventional approaches to such pivotal matters as consent, identifiability, and safeguarding and security are inadequate. In many places, research is impeded by an overgrown thicket of laws, regulations, guidance and governance. The challenges are being heightened by the increasing use of biospecimens, and by the globalization of research in a world that has not globalized privacy protection. Drawing on examples from many developed countries and legal jurisdictions, the book critiques the issues, summarizes various ethics, policy, and legal positions (and revisions underway), describes innovative solutions, provides extensive references and suggests ways forward.

How best to manage risk involving multi-valued human biological materials is the overarching theme of this book, which draws on the sourcing and supply of blood as a case study. Blood has ethical, social, scientific and commercial value. This multi-valuing process presents challenges in terms of managing risk, therefore making it ultimately a matter for political responsibility. This is highlighted through an examination of the circumstances that led to HIV blood contamination episodes in the US, England and France, as well as their consequences. The roles of scientific expertise and innovation in managing risks to the blood system are also analysed, as is the increased use of precautionary and legal strategies in the post-HIV blood contamination era. Finally, consideration is given to a range of policy and legal strategies that should underpin effective risk governance involving multi-valued human biological materials.

Ethical Problems and Genetics Practice provides a rich, case-based account of the ethical issues arising in the genetics clinic and laboratory. By analysing a wide range of evocative and often arresting cases from practice, Michael Parker provides a compelling insight into the complex moral world of the contemporary genetics professional and the challenges they face in the care of patients and their families. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the ethical issues arising in everyday genetics practice. Ethical Problems and Genetics Practice is also a sustained engagement with the relationships between bioethics and social science. In proposing and exemplifying a new approach to bioethics, it makes a significant contribution to debates on methods and interdisciplinarity and will therefore also appeal to all those concerned with theoretical and methodological approaches to bioethics and social science.

Research using genetic data must be properly regulated. Regulation that does not take account of the public interest in research and privacy protection might undermine the legitimacy of the regulatory environment. Using genetic data as an example, Mark Taylor explores the limitations of the current law of data protection.

With a focus on the literature in ethics, law, politics, public health and health policy, John Coggon argues that the important question for analysts in public health law and ethics is 'what makes health public?' His argument will interest those working on health-related ethical, legal and political issues.

This examination of the interface between criminal law, philosophy and public health brings together international experts from a variety of disciplines and areas of practice, including law, criminology, public health, philosophy, health policy and ethics. It will be of particular relevance to academics, policy-makers, lawyers and public health practitioners.

A collection of bioethical case studies that shows why ethical behaviour matters more than bioethics commentary. Will be of interest to those working and teaching in bioethics, health law, research ethics, public policy, medical technology and pharmaceutical development, governmental affairs, and the history and philosophy of science and medicine.