Biomedical Ethics (Opposing Viewpoints Digests) [Library Binding]

Terry O'Neill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999 | Series: Opposing Viewpoints Digests

Presents opposing viewpoints on biomedical ethics issues such as genetic engineering, organ transplants, medical use of fetal tissue, and reproductive technology.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 8 UpThis series entry explores the positives and negatives of experimenting on animals and humans, gene therapy, organ donation and transplant, and cloning. Each debate begins with a quote that sums up the position the argument will take. Points of view are objectively presented and could be catalysts for lively class discussions. However, the format has some flaws. The lengthy appendix includes time lines, a graph, a sample Uniform Donor Card, and primary-source material such as the Nuremberg Code but there is no indication in the text that they are included, and they are not listed in the index. Study questions for each chapter are in the appendix rather than immediately preceding or following the chapter. Black-and-white photographs appear throughout. The material has been well researched and documented, but students will probably experience some degree of frustration trying to access it.Marilyn Fairbanks, East Junior High School, Brockton, MA

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Long-standing series about controversial contemporary issues continue(s) to turn out exceptional titles. Greenhaven's Opposing Viewpoints presents multiple perspectives on hot topics such as abortion, the death penalty, and censorship through excerpts from primary materials ranging from speeches to cartoons."
-- Booklist (October 2001) (Booklist 20020615)

"The format and approach are identical to other titles in the series; both sides of a particular issue are explored in depth. Each essay is prefaced by questions that will help students focus their reading and each chapter concludes with suggestions for further reading and research. Students will find the articles helpful in examining these controversial and often emotional issues."
-- School Library Journal (August 2002) (School Library Journal 20020601)

"As usual for books in this series, there are plenty of follow-up sources for students to pursue."
-- Booklist (June 2002) (Booklist 20020501)

"The language is understandable but not simplistic, the pieces are clearly titles for easy identification, and a few cartoons and charts break up the dense text. This unbiased collection is a welcome resource for researchers and debaters."
-- School Library Journal (June 2002) (School Library Journal 20020501)

"Written by educators, scientists, journalists, doctors, veterinarians, members of the clergy and advocates. This excellent volume will elicit group discussion and help to develop critical thinking and analysis of sensitive issues."
-- School Library Journal (May 2002) (School Library Journal 20020415)

"This supplemental reader is perfect for getting students involved in discussion. The resulting debates are sure to reinforce any primary readings and will breathe life into any standard lecture oriented course. This supplement is a useful tool for instructors to get students involved."
-- Crime and Justive International (May 2002) (UNKNOWN 20020401)

"As always in the Opposing Viewpoints series, there are voices from many sides of the debate."
-- Booklist (April 2002) (Booklist 20020401)

"Most present clear, fact-supported points that readers will find valuable for speeches and reports. Editorial cartoons, anectdotes, and statistics break up the essays, make reading easier. This is a well-balanced approach to the issues, argued with studied analysis rather than bind emotion."
-- Booklist (April 2002) (Booklist 20020401)

"This series is invaluable for preparing students for debates, classes, or research assignments. Opposing Viewpoints books help prepare high school students for critical thinking and make them aware of issues that affect society today. Recommended."
-- The Book Report (March-April 2002) (Book Report 20020215)

"Most useful in schools with religion and/or philosophy courses, but should also appeal to general readers."
-- School Library Journal (April 2002) (School Library Journal 20010915)

"Well-balanced collection of essays. Sometimes complementary, sometimes contradictory, the many views clearly articulated here make this volume an excellent starting place for any thoughtful discussion."
-- Booklist (Febraury 2002) (Booklist 20040601)

"This Opposing Viewpoints selection uses essays that swing wildly toward extremes to cover the topic. The writing becomes even more heated in the following sections...The shocking arguments and sometimes-blatant absurdity makes nearly all the essays compelling reading, wth students needing only a glimpse at an article's title to determine tone and subjectivity of the author. Most essays are short, get right to the core of their arguments, and blast readers with examples that fit the emotional topic."
-- Booklist (September 2001) (Booklist )

"This recent addition to the Opposing Viewpoints series includes chapters on ethics of human cloning; organ donations; reproductive technologies; and genetic research. Specific essays discuss whether therapeutic cloning should be banned; whether sale of organs should be legalized; whether presumed consent to organ donation is ethical; whether surrogate motherhood is ethical; whether postmenopausal pregnancies should be banned; whether human genome research and genetic engineering will benefit society; and whether human genes should be patented."
--Issues in Law & Medicine (Summer 2004) (Issues in Law & Medicine ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Library Binding: 144 pages
• Publisher: Greenhaven Pr (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565108752
• ISBN-13: 978-1565108752
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,324,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarification, September 18, 2001

By 

T. Roleff (So. California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Biomedical Ethics (Opposing Viewpoints Series) (Paperback)

I am the editor of this book and would like to make some clarifications concerning the reviews for this book.
I believe the two previous reviewers are discussing a different book than Biomedical Ethics: Opposing Viewpoints edited by Tamara L. Roleff for Greenhaven Press. Greenhaven Press also owns Lucent Books, and Lucent has published two other books titled Biomedical Ethics. I believe the reviews published below should go with one of the Lucent Books. For one thing, this book does not include a timeline, a copy of a uniform donor card, a copy of the Nuremburg Code or black-and-white photos.
As to BK Peters' objections to using "biased" and "value laden" arguments, that is the whole point of the Opposing Viewpoints books. Each book presents previously published articles supporting or opposing a particular point of view. The intent is to get the reader to consider the pro argument, then read the con argument, consider the merits of each argument and decide for him/herself which argument they believe is valid. Including "urban legends" and other goofy reasoning is part of the process and is designed to show the reader how far out some arguments truly are. The Opposing Viewpoints books are designed to present the different sides of the issue.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book..., December 11, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Folsom, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biomedical Ethics (Opposing Viewpoints Series) (Paperback)

This book was great. I used it to research an essay. It was the only source I needed! It was great having both sides of an arguement in the same book. There were lot's of pertinent facts about the topic in all of the articles. As with all of the Opposing Viewpoints series, this one was great. I recommend anyone interested in such a field or if you're doing a research paper like myself to buy it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting part of the series, September 18, 2004

By 

Charles Sutherland (Indy, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biomedical Ethics (Opposing Viewpoints Digests) (Library Binding)

The Opposing Viewpoints series is a series of books I first found several years ago when looking for pro and con information for papers for high school students I was tutoring. They provide articles and chapters on different sides - the "opposing viewpoints" - of the arguments and topics they cover. They are written at advanced high school and early college levels.

This book on Biomedical Ethics I have used a few times. The area of biomedical ethics is a growing and diverse field because technological advances keep increasing, as do the questions that exist around the limits of life at the beginning and the end. There are also quality of life issues to consider. Some issues seem to be very simple, but others become very complex. Can we provide unlimited medical care to everyone? Who gets to decide treatment? Can a terminally ill patient decide for himself to stop treatment? Are systems set up so that they are fair?

The introduction brings up these questions. The author uses the example of Mickey Mantle, who managed to avoid the national waiting list when he needed an organ transplant -- was that fair? Since his illness was caused by years of substance abuse, is that fair? Other examples include the possible uses of the Human Genome Project, cloning, animal testing in research, and more.

This is a good and balanced book overall. It includes a good set chapters in the appendix on organizations to contact and study questions as well as excertps from original documents in the field.

The author, Terry O'Neill, is a magazine editor, has edited other volumes of this series and others for the Greenhaven Press, and taught in high school English and social studies classes.