Bioethics for scientists

Author(s): Bryant, John; Baggott la Velle, Linda; Searle, John (Eds.)
Document type: Book
Year: 2002
Pages: 360
Source: Publishing house: John Wiley (Chichester)
Language(s): English

Classification

National background: Great Britain, United States
Category: EU Training Material for Research Ethics
Subject areas: Animal experimentation; Biotechnology; Environment; Information (data protection, privacy etc.)
Focus: Sub-focus: embedded in general bioethics, medical ethics, ethics of science and technology, environmental ethics
Content: Case studies; Cultural specifics; Ethical theories; Normative reflections
Issues touched: Protection of privacy, data protection, biological material International research, research in developing countries Social impact of research, economic benefits, risks for third parties Social background of research, conflicts of interest, researcher vs. doctor, commercialisation Research on animals
Audience: Scientists
Classification remarks: The concept of the book is based on courses in bioethics that the three editors provided for BSc and MSc students in Exeter. The main purpose is to prepare scientists for current ethical debates on various biomedical and scientific topics.

Estimation

Theoretical quality remarks: The book is divided in 4 Parts: Part I ("Setting the scene") contains an introduction to general ethics and bioethics and an overview over public attitudes towards science and technology. Part II ("Ethics and the Natural World") contains an introduction to environmental ethics, two articles with case studies (rain forest use, use of pesticides, use of nuclear energy) and two statements on the proper treatment of animals (one by a biologist, one by a philosopher). Part III ("Ethical Issues in Agriculture and Food Production") contains four articles on the problems of genetically modified crops and other agricultural biotechnology (one focusing on the interests of developing countries). Part IV ("Ethical Issues in Biomedical Science") contains seven articles on reproductive technologies, genetic information, genetic enhancement, patenting human genes, cloning of animals and humans, euthanasia and animal experimentation. A glossary with mostly technical and few philosophical terms finishes the book. Most of the articles are rather theoretical introductions, focussing on the normative questions or on the scientific background of the techniques discussed, at times transcending the theoretical level that could be realistically expected in a course. However, some contributions have a more didactical character, presenting and contrasting typical arguments in the debate and thus providing possible starting points for discussions. Especially the two articles with case studies in Part II may provide a valuable basis for course work; they also provide recommendations for teachers, explaining how to make up role plays and exercises.
Didactical quality: Didactically prepared material
Didactical quality remarks: The overall didactical make-up of the book varies considerably between the different contributions.
Overall estimation: recommendable
Estimation remarks: The book may count as a recommendable introduction to the ethics of science and research. Especially, two articles with case studies in Part II contain valuable material for role plays, sketching divergent opinions of parties involved and providing questions guiding the ethical analysis of these positions.