Written by experts, this first encyclopedia about U.S. biomedical policy since the 1970s covers a broad array of key issues and developments in human genetics, reproduction, neonatal intensive care, organ transplantation, intervention in the brain, and medical interventions at the end of life. This easily accessible reference describes court cases, legislation, public policies, technologies, issues, key government agencies, and private organizations dealing with the complex economic, cultural, social, and political context for biomedical decisionmaking today. A chronology, directory of major organizations, carefully selected sources for further reading, and index further enrich this interdisciplinary guide designed for students; teachers; policymakers; public administrators in college, university, and institutional libraries; and general readers in public libraries. This easily accessible reference describes court cases, legislation, public policies, technologies, issues, key government agencies, and private organizations dealing with the complex economic, cultural, social, and political context for biomedical decisionmaking today. A chronology, directory of major organizations, carefully selected sources for further reading, extensive cross references and index further enrich this interdisciplinary guide designed for students; teachers; policymakers; public administrators in college, university, and institutional libraries; and general readers in public libraries.

A comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of human reproduction issues in the U.S. with emphasis on the ethical and policy implications of cutting-edge reproductive technologies. Human cloning. Stem cell research. Abortion. All of these subjects are surrounded by controversy. But now readers can cut through the usual emotion, misinformation, and distortion-and get a fair and balanced picture of human reproduction issues in the United States. Few subjects are as divisive and partisan as the issues surrounding the propagation of the human species. This thorough examination covers the full scope of the debates and offers an up-to-the-minute survey of the controversial technologies that are at the heart of reproductive rights in the United States. The areas explored range from abortion and sterlization to fetal research and human cloning. The moral, societal and public policy implications of each subject are examined thoroughly, with emphasis on those areas where cutting-edge technology has raced ahead of public policy, thereby creating new concerns for ethicists and policy-makers. Legislative oversight or the freedom to pursue reproductive technologies at any cost, this debate is far fr