Ethical Problems and Genetics Practice

Ethical Problems and Genetics Practice provides a rich, case-based account of the ethical issues arising in the genetics clinic and laboratory. By analysing a wide range of evocative and often arresting cases from practice, Michael Parker provides a compelling insight into the complex moral world of the contemporary genetics professional and the challenges they face in the care of patients and their families. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the ethical issues arising in everyday genetics practice. Ethical Problems and Genetics Practice is also a sustained engagement with the relationships between bioethics and social science. In proposing and exemplifying a new approach to bioethics, it makes a significant contribution to debates on methods and interdisciplinarity and will therefore also appeal to all those concerned with theoretical and methodological approaches to bioethics and social science.

1. Introduction; 2. The patient in the families; 3. Elective affinities; 4. Reproducing ethics; 5. Multi-professional practices; 6. Moral craft; 7. Methodological reflections.

Ethical Problems and Genetics Practice provides a rich, case-based account of the ethical issues arising in genetics for health professionals, patients and their families. It will be particularly relevant to medical, nursing and genetic-counselling students and to graduate students in bioethics, social science and medical anthropology.

Michael Parker is Professor of Bioethics and Director of the Ethox Centre at the University of Oxford, where his research focuses on the ethical implications of the clinical use of genetics and on the ethical aspects of collaborative global health research.