A dictionary definition of Bioethics is, 'the ethics, or moral principles and rules of conduct, of medical and biological research'. This book is an introductory text of just biological and not medical bioethics. It covers the ethics of experimentation, including genetic manipulation, in plants and animals; ethics and biodiversity, ethics and the environment. There is increasing interest in bioethics - both in academia and by the media and the general public. Awareness of bioethics is incorporated into Biological / Environmental Science courses, plus the first dedicated modular courses on bioethics are starting up. Includes case studies Has questions for students Chapters include environmental, animal, agricultural and reproductive ethics as well as a wide range of issues regarding genetic manipulation.
List of Contributors. Preface. Section 1: Setting the Scene. Introduction to Ethics and Bioethics (Michael Reiss). The Public Evaluation of Science and Technology (Barry Barnes). Section 2: Ethics and the Natural World. Introduction to Environmental Ethics (Christopher Southgate). The Use of the Rainforest as a Test Case in Environmental Ethics (Christopher Southgate). Environmental Ethics: Further Case Studies (Christopher Southgate and Alex Aylward). Human Use of Non--Human Animals: A Biologist's View (David de Pomerai). Human Use of Non--Human Animals: A Philosopher's Perspective (R. G. Frey). Section 3: Ethical Issues in Agriculture and Food Production. GM Crops and Food: A Scientific Perspective (Steve Hughes and John Bryant). Questioning GM Foods (Sue Mayer). The Patenting of Genes for Agricultural Biotechnology (Steve Hughes). Crop Biotechnology and Developing Countries (Geeta Bharathan, Shanti Chandrashekaran and Tony May). Section 4. Ethical Issues in Biomedical Science. Starting Human Life: The New Reproductive Technologies (Linda Baggott la Velle). Genetic Information: Use and Abuse (Bartha Maria Knoppers). Human Genetics and Genetic Enhancement (Peter Turnpenny and John Bryant). Patenting Human Genes: Ethical and Policy Issues (Audrey Chapman). Cloning of Animals and Humans (Harry Griffin). Dealing with Death: Euthanasia and Related Issues (John Searle). Animal Experimentation in Biomedical Research (Linda Baggott la Velle). Glossary. Index.
...I recommend this very readable book wholeheartedly... (Biologist, December 2002) "...valuable material...should be on the requires reading list for a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses..." (Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, Vol.20, 2003) "...it is a book that morally serious scientists should dip into in order to help them engage in the scientific and ethical debate..." (Animal Welfare, August 2003) "Biotechnologists and biomedical scientists who are interested in understanding the ethical issues that their work raises would find this book a useful introduction..." (Addiction Biology, June 2003)