Bio Ethics

This is the third edition of a book designed to give a Christian perspective on many complex modern bioethical questions, many of which have arisen as a result of the rapid progress in modern medicine. A number of important themes inform the Christian view, including the relationship between individual and community, freedom and finitude, person and body and the interpretation of suffering. Among the issues covered are reproduction, abortion, genetic advance, suicide and euthanasia, refusing treatment, organ donation and research on embryos. There is no universal agreement among Christians on these topics, but there are important starting points for reflection. The author has an interesting discussion on compassion in relation to euthanasia, suggesting that the key is maximising care rather than minimising suffering. There is also a balance to be struck between responsibility for our health and compassion for those who are ill. The Christian perspective naturally goes beyond materialism and relativism and sees hope beyond death, once defined by GK Chesterton as the 'power of being cheerful in circumstances we know to be desperate.' A very thoughtful and helpful book.