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Bioethics Beyond the Headlines is a primer in bioethics. You will not find convoluted philosophical arguments in this volume. Rather, you will find an engaging sampling of the key questions in bioethics, including euthanasia, assisted reproduction, cloning and stem cells, neuroscience, access to healthcare, and even research on animals and questions of environmental ethics-areas typically overlooked in general introductions to bioethics

This Article briefly summarizes the history of the euthanasia debate in the United States, describes the classical arguments for and against euthanasia, examines the terms of the current debate, and concludes that while society may want to recognize a competent patient's right to escape the suffering of a terminal illness, it should do so with humility—and with caution.

The activity of prescribing therapeutic drugs is one of the most significant features of the physician-patient relationship. This activity must be understood in moral, as well as technical terms. The ancient Greek word for drug had three meanings, providing the outline for an ethics of medication: remedy, poison and magical charm. Corresponding to these three meanings are three ethical principles: competence in therapeutic application, avoidance of harm and honesty.