Contemporary Issues in Bioethics: A Catholic Perspective applies the best of the Roman Catholic theological and ethical tradition to some of the most controversial and complex bioethical topics that confront contemporary society. Walter and Shannon combine clear, concise and accessible prose with teachable case studies on such issues as reproductive cloning, quality of life and clinical decision making, and the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration. Divided into four sections—theological issues, issues at the beginning of life, issues with genetic medicine and the care of ill patients, and issues at the end of life— this book is ideal for use in college, university, and seminary courses on bioethics, as well as for medical professionals, policy makers, and individual readers.

Contemporary Issues in Bioethics: A Catholic Perspective applies the best of the Roman Catholic theological and ethical tradition to some of the most controversial and complex bioethical topics that confront contemporary society. Authors James Walter and Thomas Shannon offer a fresh analysis from the Catholic tradition and show how a specifically Catholic perspective might inform public discussion on these issues. In an age where it is claimed that religion should not be part of ethical discussion on bioethical issues, this book takes a decidedly different tack and shows that the Catholic tradition has something very important to offer.

Contemporary Issues in Bioethics combines clear, concise and accessible prose with teachable case studies on such issues as reproductive cloning, quality of life and clinical decision making, and the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration. Divided into four sections—theological issues, issues at the beginning of life, issues with genetic medicine and the care of ill patients, and issues at the end of life— this book is ideal for use in college, university, and seminary courses on bioethics, as well as for medical professionals, policy makers, and individual readers.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Part 2 Part One: Theological Issues
Chapter 3 Religion and Bioethics: A Value Added Discussion
Chapter 4 Playing God or Playing Human
Chapter 5 Horizon Analysis and Moral Stance: An Interpretation of Cardinal Bernardin's "Consistent Ethic of Life"
Chapter 6 The Communitarian Perspective: Autonomy and the Common Good
Part 7 Part Two: Issues at the Beginning of Life
Chapter 8 Reflections on the Moral Status of the Pre-embryo (with Allan B. Wolter, OFM)
Chapter 9 A Catholic Reflection on Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Chapter 10 Cloning, Uniqueness and Individuality
Chapter 11 Reproductive Technologies: Ethical and Religious Issues
Chapter 12 Theological Parameters: Catholic Doctrine on Abortion in a Pluralist Society
Part 13 Part Three: Issues Concerned with Genetic Medicine and the Care of Ill Patients
Chapter 14 Perspectives on Medical Ethics: Biotechnology and Genetic Medicine
Chapter 15 Theological Perspectives on Cancer Genetics and Gene Therapy: The Roman Catholic Tradition
Chapter 16 The Meaning and Validity of Quality of Life Judgments in Contemporary Roman Catholic Medical Ethics
Part 17 Part Four: Issues at the End of Life
Chapter 18 Terminal Sedation: A Catholic Perspective
Chapter 19 The PVS Patient and the Forgoing/Withdrawing of Medical Nutrition and Hydration
Chapter 20 Artificial Nutrition & Hydration: Assessing Papal Statement
Chapter 21 Implications of the Papal Allocution on Feeding Tubes
Chapter 22 Assisted Nutrition & Hydration and the Catholic Tradition: The Case of Terri Schiavo