Perspectives in Bioethics, Science, and Public Policy
Perspectives in Bioethics, Science, and Public Policy
Edited by Jonathan Beever and Nicolae Morar
Book Description
In this book, nine thought-leaders engage with some of the
hottest moral issues in science and ethics. Based on talks originally given at
the annual “Purdue Lectures in Ethics, Policy, and Science,” the chapters
explore interconnections between the three areas in an engaging and accessible
way. Addressing a mixed public audience, the authors go beyond dry theory to
explore some of the difficult moral questions that face scientists and
policy-makers every day.
The introduction presents a theoretical framework for the
book, defining the term “bioethics” as extending well beyond human well-being
to wider relations between humans, nonhuman animals, the environment, and
biotechnologies. Three sections then explore the complex relationship between
moral value, scientific knowledge, and policy making. The first section starts
with thoughts on nonhuman animal pain and moves to a discussion of animal
understanding. The second section explores climate change and the impact of
“green” nanotechnology on environmental concerns.
The final section begins with dialog about ethical issues
in nanotechnology, moves to an exploration of bio-banks (a technology with
broad potential medical and environmental impact), and ends with a survey of
the impact of biotechnologies on (synthetic) life itself.
Contents: Part 1: Animals: Moral agency, moral
considerability, and consciousness (Daniel Kelly) and From minds to minding
(Mark Bernstein); Animal Pain: What is it and why does it matter? (Bernard
Rollin). Part 2:
Environment: The future of environmental ethics (Holmes
Rolston III); Climate change, human rights, and the trillionth ton of carbon
(Henry Shue); Ethics, environment, and nanotechnology (Barbara Karn). Part 3:
Biotechnologies: Nanotechnologies: Science and society
(James Leary); Ethical issues in constructing and using bio-banks (Eric
Meslin); Synthetic life: A new industrial revolution (Gregory Kaebnick).
LINK TO THE PRESS' WEBSITE:
Nicolae Morar, PhD
Faculty Fellow
Department of Philosophy & ENVS
University of Oregon
(cell) 765-413-3218