Issues in Bioethics and the Concept of Scale

Cook (U. of New Brunswick, Canada) has focused his life around the practice of bioethics, which combines the fields of ecology, philosophy and medicine, and presents this book which introduces the idea of spatial and temporal frame characteristics to define this new discipline. Exploring the mind-body relationship within a more clinical context, the author uses hierarchy theory to explain many of the conflicts that exist within the bioethics community, such as sterilization of mentally-incompetent patients, moral and legal responsibilities of mothers and fetuses and the effects of forestry practices and clear cutting on our physical well-being. Written for students of bioethics and its associated disciplines, this book also focuses on global health issues and the responsibilities of each nation to initiate environmental policies that will have repercussions beyond its borders. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)