Good Care, Painful Choices (Third Edition): Medical Ethics for Ordinary People

By Richard J. Devine

In this third edition of a popular volume, Richard Devine brings readers up to date with the issues concerning medical-ethical decisions that American society and American individuals are called upon to make. In an accessible manner, he presents each issue in its full context--medical, scientific, legal, socio-cultural, Roman Catholic tradition, along with a final moral assessment. The focus of this volume is a vision of these issues from the standpoint of the values that are involved. What's New in the Third Edition? --enlarged the consideration of partial-birth abortion and the impact of the recent Supreme Court decision about it --question of pre-natal genetic diagnosis --new material on stem cells, cloning, eugenics --the question of a more principled approach (the good of the child) in artificial reproductive technologies --material on on the latest AIDS medications --updated statistics Clearly written, comprehensive and accurate without being overly technical, this third edition will be a valuable overview for anyone studying or dealing with medical ethics. +

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809142732
• ISBN13: 9780809142736
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Paulist Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A very helpful resource

In today's world, complex beginning and end of life issues, advances in medical technology, and heightened media coverage abound. It may be difficult to know where to turn to determine the Church's teachings on medical ethics issues. Along with reading Papal Encyclicals and staying abreast of statements by our Bishops and the Vatican, another helpful resource for Catholics is Good Care, Painful Choices: Medical Ethics for Ordinary People by Richard J. Devine, CM (Paulist Press, September 2004, paperback, 272 pages.) Written in non-technical wording, Good Care, Painful Choices provides an accessible overview of many of the most common issues facing us today. Father Devine, who recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination, has spent the bulk of his career in higher education and currently teaches Medical Ethics full time at St. John's University. I greatly enjoyed the clear, comprehensive and not overly technical presentation of the medical ethics topics presented in this book. The discussion questions which follow each chapter of the book provide a wonderful opportunity to consolidate and digest the information provided on each of the topics.