Encyclopedia of U.S. Biomedical Policy

(Hardback)

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Description

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.

Reviews

Recent news reports have told of the public outcry stemming from a young woman's decision to abort one of her healthy twins because of financial difficulties and of questions that were raised about allowing the implantation of five fertilized eggs in a woman with a quadriplegic husband. These cases would not have existed or drawn attention but for the medical choices made possible by advancements in biomedical technology. The dramatic increase in the frequency of such events has warranted the institution of biomedical policies to help make the best ethical, economic, and social decisions. This bolume focuses on US policies from the early 1970s that address biomedical interventions in prenatal and neonatal care, human genetics and reproduction, and death, as well as other biomedical issues (e.g., AIDS care, human experimentation). Entries, arranged alphabetically, discuss legislation and court cases, describe key organizations and technologies, and provide overviews written by experts.... This is the only current work that compiles discussion on all these issues in one volume. For academic collections, undergraduate through faculty.-Choice
"Recent news reports have told of the public outcry stemming from a young woman's decision to abort one of her healthy twins because of financial difficulties and of questions that were raised about allowing the implantation of five fertilized eggs in a woman with a quadriplegic husband. These cases would not have existed or drawn attention but for the medical choices made possible by advancements in biomedical technology. The dramatic increase in the frequency of such events has warranted the institution of biomedical policies to help make the best ethical, economic, and social decisions. This bolume focuses on US policies from the early 1970s that address biomedical interventions in prenatal and neonatal care, human genetics and reproduction, and death, as well as other biomedical issues (e.g., AIDS care, human experimentation). Entries, arranged alphabetically, discuss legislation and court cases, describe key organizations and technologies, and provide overviews written by experts.... This is the only current work that compiles discussion on all these issues in one volume. For academic collections, undergraduate through faculty."-Choice

Author Bio

ROBERT H. BLANK, Professor of Political Science, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, has published at length on biomedical policy. His books published by Greenwood Press include Biomedical Technology and Public Policy (1989), Fertility Control: New Techniques, New Policy Issues (1991), Mother and Fetus: Changing Notions of Maternal Responsibility (1992), and Topics in Gerontology: An Annotated Bibliography (1993). JANNA C. MERRICK, Professor of Political Science and Associate Dean of University Programs, University of Florida at Sarasota, has written at length about biomedical policy.