The Basics of Bioethics by R.M. Veatch

 The Basics of Bioethics 

From the back cover 

Robert M. Veatch provides an introductory, comprehensive discussion of the major issues and theories in biomedical ethics. Developed from his own courses taught in schools of medicine and nursing, as well as undergraduate philosophy and religion courses, Veatch's text presents a systematic comparison of bioethical theory and examines the major issues faced in clinical and health policy settings.

New to the Second Edition!

• New opening chapter summarizing ethical theory as precursor to work in bioethics
• Completely updated treatment of new developments in bioethics, including laws on euthanasia in The Netherlands, a discussion of the Gelsinger Case (on gene therapy), and stem cell research
• New chapter on methods for resolving conflict among competing ethical principles
• All-encompassing chart detailing four major questions in ethics and their respective answers
• New chapter on virtues in the health professions 

About the Author(s)

Robert M. Veatch, Ph.D., is Professor of Medical Ethics and former director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, where he is also professor of philosophy and adjunct professor in the medical school. He has taught medical ethics at Georgetown, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Union College, and St. George's University School of Medicine. He was formerly Associate for Medical Ethics at the Hastings Center and is a registered pharmacist. 

Circular Arguments of the Topic of Bioethics, July 23, 2000

This book briefly covers many topics relating to bioethics in a manner in which it can be used as a textbook or a book for informational enjoyment. The best aspect of the book is its medical cases; these give real-life examples of the topics discussed so that the arguments and rationale are not so confusing. As a college student, I found it very helpful because it covered a broad range of ethical topics, including abortion, euthanasia, etc.

Although the book was informative, the arguments were sometimes unclear. I understand that bioethics is a field of endless circular arguments, but the manner in which the topics were presented was sometimes difficult to understand. Some case examples were used but I think more would have been quite helpful. Whollly, the book served its purpose for me as being an introduction to bioethics, and it includes glossaries after every chapter to look up terms used in the text.