Extreme Prematurity: Practices, Bioethics and the Law

by Geoffrey Miller

Extreme Prematurity examines the controversial issues surrounding the clinical management of this group of neonates by the intervention of modern neonatal intensive care. The foregoing of life-sustaining treatment is of particular importance. The subject matter is very relevant because of the alarming increase in multiple and preterm births due to the increase in women who are undergoing assisted reproductive procedures and the large increase in premature labor. No recent book covers the subject in such comparable breadth. The first section of this very timely monograph covers the epidemiology and practices in different parts of the world. The second section covers bioethics considerations, including ethical theories, moral principles and quality of life issues. The third section covers national and international guidelines. The last section covers medical law aspects in the US and around the world.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extreme Prematurity is a short book with a large amount of information. The book contains sections on medical issues, bioethics, practices in different countries, and laws in different countries. The author manages to be evenhanded, even when discussing controversial theories like utilitarianism. I found the comparisons between the United States and other countries particularly interesting. I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in prematurity and bioethics, and I wish Miller would right an expanded version with additional detail. Once again, this book is not one that I would recommend for families with babies in the NICU, but Miller has given the book a boring enough title that I can't imagine anyone mistakenly giving it as a gift.