The Human Body and the Law: Second Edition (Edinburgh Law and Society Series)

This is an account of all aspects of medical practice and the law. Dealing with areas of human concern including genetic engineering, foetal rights, transplantation and euthanasia, it gives a breakdown of current debates and legal decisions in England, Scotland and the USA. The legal difficulties surrounding treatment and non-treatment of the newborn and elderly, patient consent, resolution of the conflicting rights of mother and foetus, medical experimentation and techniques of artificial reproduction (including IVF) are all detailed with summaries of how differing jurisdictions have dealt with them. Citations and case-studies of important legal decisions are outlined and the author gives his own views and solutions. This book is intended as a summary of the legal issues and rules surrounding current medical and bio-ethical issues and should be a useful reference for doctors, lawyers and all those seriously interested in medical ethics.