Life and Death in Healthcare Ethics

In a world of rapid technological advances, the moral issues raised by life and death choices in healthcare remain obscure. Life and Death in Healthcare Ethics provides a concise, thoughtful and extremely accessible guide to these moral issues.

Helen Watt examines, using real-life cases, the range of choices taken by healthcare professionals, patients and clients which lead to the shortening of life. The topics looked at include:

* euthanasia and withdrawal of treatment

* the persistent vegetative state

* abortion

* IVF and cloning

* life-saving treatment of pregnant women

Clearly written and insightful, Life and Death in Healthcare Ethics presupposes no prior knowledge of philosophy. It will be of interest to anyone confronting healthcare ethics for the first time, or seeking to develop his or her understanding of some core topics in the field.