Presents a collection of articles about bioethics, covering such topics as embryonic stem cell research, cybernetics, cloning, and bioterrorism.
*Starred Review* When the first edition of the
Encyclopedia of Bioethics appeared in 1978, the discipline was new and relatively undefined. The second edition, in 1995, kept pace with the rapid changes in the field. Continuing advances in biological and medical research have created the need for yet another edition. Bioethics has become a recognized field, "the interdisciplinary examination of the moral and ethical dimensions of human conduct in the areas of life sciences and health care." With such a broad, rapidly changing subject area to cover, editor Post (Department of Bioethics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University) has assembled an international group of more than 500 scholars from 18 major disciplines-- behavioral sciences, medicine, economics, ecology, philosophy, religion, and so on--to write 448 articles.
The third edition has 120 new articles, among them Artificial nutrition and hydration, Bioterrorism, Cloning, Cybernetics, Dementia, Managed care, and Nanotechnology. Some 200 articles have been extensively revised, and 100 additional articles have new bibliographies. The alphabetical entries address a wide range of topics that raise difficult and important questions. Abortion, genetic screening, female genital mutilation, the right to die, health issues of immigration, and corporate responsibility are but a few. The contributors discuss the issues from many points of view. The abortion article includes sections covering medical perspectives, contemporary ethical and legal aspects, and Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and Islamic religious perspectives. There are also articles about bioethics in Buddhism, eugenics, health policy, women as health-care professionals, whistle-blowing in health care, and veterinary ethics. All of the articles are signed, and all have bibliographies. Ample cross-references help readers find related useful material. A list of all the articles and a topical outline appear in volume 1. A series of appendixes offers codes, oaths, and directives related to bioethics; additional resources; key legal cases; and an annotated bibliography of literary works that have a medical component. A detailed index helps users find material that may be scattered over numerous entries, such as information about surrogate motherhood.
This new edition of a classic work, which addresses timely issues such as same-sex marriages and direct advertising of prescription drugs, belongs in all academic libraries and all but the smallest public libraries. It is an outstanding resource for students, professionals, and the interested public. RBB
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