Life and Death in Healthcare Ethics: A Short Introduction

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; and life-saving treatment of pregnant women.

Helen Watt is Research Fellow at the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics in London.