Medical Ethics: A Very Short Introduction

by Hope, Tony

• ISBN13: 9780192802828
• ISBN10: 0192802828
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-12-02
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Medical ethics is an area that has particular interest for the general public as well as for the medical practitioner, and issues concerning medical ethics seem to be constantly in the headlines. This short and accessible introduction provides an invaluable tool with which to think about the ethical values that lie at the heart of medicine. Tony Hope deals with thorny moral issues, including euthanasia and the morality of killing. He also explores political questions, such as how we can make sure health care resources are distributed fairly. Each chapter in the book considers a different issue, for example, genetics, modern reproductive technologies, resource allocation, mental health, and medical research. Each section also discusses controversial questions such as: Who should have access to reproductive technology? Is it right to fund expensive drug treatment for individuals? Should treatment for mental illness be imposed on patients without their consent? Considering a wide range of questions of medical ethics, this Very Short Introduction will help to explain some of the confusing issues facing the field of medicine today.

Author Biography

Tony Hope is Professor of Medical Ethics, University of Oxford, and an Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist and is founder of The Oxford Centre for Ethics and Communication in Health Care Practice (The Ethox Centre).

Table of Contents

Why is medical ethics so exciting?

Euthanasia

Allocating heath resources why undervaluating 'statistical' people is costing lives

People who don't exist at least not yet

A tool-box for reasoning

The inconsistencies of madness

How modern gentics is testing traditional confidentiality

Medical research in poor countries

Ordinary medical practice

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