Life Science Ethics

By: Comstock

Book Overview

The first section of Life Science Ethics introduces students to essential background concepts in moral theory -- ethics, the relationship of religion to ethics, how to assess ethical arguments, and a method used to reason about ethical theories. The next section demonstrates the relevance of ethical reasoning to six topics: -- The relative moral standing of ecosystems, nonhuman animals, and future human generations-- The moral justifiability of genetic engineering as a whole and the patenting of life forms in particular-- Our duty to aid the hungry-- Our obligation to animals used to produce fiber, food, and knowledge-- Public policies to adjudicate conflicting rights claims among urban consumers, environmentalists, and farmers over the use of water and land-- The virtues traditionally associated with family farmsPart three provides a dozen case studies and study questions to raise relevant ethical issues and draw readers into concrete discussions of complex moral questions.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813809533
• ISBN13: 9780813809533
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Professional
• Length: 404 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 9.2"