Biomedical Ethics

PREFACE ix 1 History and Theories 1(22) Introduction The Need for Theories Consequentialism and Deontology Virtue Ethics and Feminist Ethics Communitarianism and Liberalism The Rejection of Theories: Casuistry and Cultural Relativism Conclusion Selected Readings 2 The Patient-Doctor Relationship 23(24) Introduction Informed Consent Therapeutic Privilege Confidentiality Cross-Cultural Relations What Sort of Doctors Do We Need? Conclusion Selected Readings 3 Medical Research on Humans 47(24) Introduction Design of Clinical Trials Equipoise, Randomization, and Placebos Problems with Consent Vulnerable Populations Protections and Justice Conclusion Selected Readings 4 Reproductive Rights and Technologies 71(24) Introduction Abortion The Moral Status of Embryos Surrogate Pregnancy Sex Selection Cloning Conclusion Selected Readings 5 Genetics 95(24) Introduction Genetic Testing and Screening Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Gene Therapy Genetic Enhancement Eugenics Conclusion Selected Readings 6 Medical Decisions at the End of Life 119(24) Introduction Defining Death Withdrawing and Withholding Treatment Double Effect Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide Futility Conclusion Selected Readings 7 Allocating Scarce Medical Resources 143(24) Introduction Setting Priorities Quality-Adjusted Life-Years Age-Based Rationing Organ Transplantation Two-Tiered Health Care Conclusion Selected Readings INDEX 167