The Birth of Bioethics

by Albert R. Jonsen

This book is the first broad history of the growing field of bioethics. Covering the period 1947-1987, it examines the origin and evolution of the debates over human experimentation, genetic engineering, organ transplantation, termination of life-sustaining treatment, and new reproductive technologies. It assesses the contributions of philosophy, theology, law and the social sciences to the expanding discourse of bioethics. Written by one of the field's founders, it is based on extensive archival research into resources that are difficult to obtain and on interviews with many leading figures. A very readable account of the development of bioethics, the book stresses the history of ideas but does not neglect the social and cultural context and the people involved.

Genres: Medicine

448 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1997

Reviews

[Brittany Acors · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent history of the origins of the field of bioethics and the essential questions therein. It is dated now, by virtue of being nearly 40 years old, but still useful for understanding how the field came to be.

[Bioethics & Humanities]

Basics we all should know!