Life, Love and Children A Practical Introduction to Bioscience Ethics and Bioethics

Discussion of bioscience ethics requires understanding of the science that underpins biological systems impinging on our lives. Unencumbered by the formal structure of ethics, bioethics presents a forum for discussion of practical matters of individual and collective concern. This comprehensive text is a guide to the essentials of bioscience ethics and an interface between applied science and applied bioethics.

Early chapters embrace topics affecting human reproduction – substance abuse and parenthood, aging gametes and congenital malformations, child abuse and its biological consequences.

Intermediate chapters deal with end-of-life care and euthanasia, human fertility, assisted reproductive technologies, genetic engineering, and cloning.

Remaining chapters challenge human-dominated ecosystems. Population growth, economic activity, and warfare – with its environmental consequences – are reviewed. A background section describes the evolution of ethical consciousness, explores the future, and proposes that the reworking of ethical boundaries can enhance mature decision-making in harmony with changing technology.

List of Figures. Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Historical Perspective. 2. Inappropriate Lifestyle and Congenital Disability in Children: Basic Principles of Growth, Toxicology, Teratogenesis and Mutagenesis. 3. Substance Abuse and Parenthood: Biological Mechanisms Ethical Responsibilities. Behavioral Variables Biological Consequences. Behavioral Variables Bioethical Challenges. 4. Ovulatory Method of Birth Control: Aging Gametes and Congenital Malformations in Children. 5. Understanding Child Abuse and its Biological Consequences. 6. The State of Wellbeing: On Health and Ill-Health. 7. The State of Wellbeing: On the End of Life Care and Euthanasia. 8. Procreative Technology: Achievements and Desired Goals. 9. The Recombinant DNA Technologies. Genetic Engineering and Related Technologies Biological Perspective. The Human Genome and the Human Genome Diversity Project. 10. Cloning Technology. 11. Human Dominated Ecosystems: Re-Evaluating Environmental Properties. Population Growth and Economic Activity: Are we Overstraining our Limits? Understanding Living Cycles and Anticipating Environmental Policies Rather Than Relying on Remedial Measures. 12. Human Dominated Ecosystems: Reclaiming the Future by Taking Due Account of Following Generations. Self-Destructive Behavior and the Environment. 13. Human Dominated Ecosystems: Warfare Fitness Enhancement or Losing Strategy. 14. Human Dominated Ecosystems: Reworking Bioethical Frontiers. Global Responsibility - a Transboundary Détente to Developmental Needs and Environmental Preservation. Stewardship of Mother Earth - In Defense of the Global Commons. Selected Bibliography. Index.