The increase in new medical technology and experimental treatments has made the study of medical ethics essential for practitioners on all levels. This book brings together experts in the fields of pediatric hemotology/oncology, ethics, and law to examine legal and ethical issues surrounding the treatment of children with cancer or blood disease. The contributors present thoughtful discussions of ethical considerations of such practices as bone marrow transplantation, caring for hemophiliacs, preventing sickle cell disease, informing patients of treatment side effects, the statistical design of clinical trials, and the activities of the Institutional Review Board.

Probably no two topics have generated more workshops, con ferences, and lectures in medicine and education than the chron ically ill child and the mandate of Public Law 94-142. In spite of the numerous examinations of these topics there has never been a serious dialogue between medical professionals and educators with the child as the focus. These proceedings represent such a unique event. The paradigm of the medically exceptional child is the child with cancer, a child with a life-threatening illness, but also a child with a high probability of being cured of this acute disease. Such a cure is purchased at a cost of late sequelae of disease and treat ment alike. There is prejudice against this child. There is overt physical exceptionality. Therefore, the Fifth Annual Mental Health Conference of The University of Texas System Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, was a stimulus to generate this dialogue. When two nationally recognized giants in their respective fields, The University of Texas System Cancer Center and the Houston Independent School District, address a problem, the result transcends local concern. This conference goes far beyond the problem of the child with cancer to deal with all medically exceptional children. The focus on the needs and expectations for the child makes this workshop universal in application."

The Least Among Thee stems from a workshop, entitled: Point and Counterpoint ...; Physician and Theologian in Dialogue. The book reflects the thoughts and ideas of the discussion leader about what it means to be a physician and to be a Christian. As a pediatric hematologist/oncologist he took care of the sickest of the sick and the most helpless of patients. The book reflects the struggles and the temptations that physicians face when they are asked to help the helpless and thereby are seemingly given authority and power over the lives of others. Ultimately the realization comes that the reward comes from letting go of self-importance and letting God be God.