The Basics of Bioethics
5th Edition
Published on 22. January 2026
386 pages
978-1-040-50342-3 (ISBN)
Description
The Basics of Bioethics, Fifth Edition offers a compelling introduction to the fascinating, ever-evolving field of bioethics. Accessible and richly informative for readers from all backgrounds, this book provides an essential foundation in theories and concepts, which are then applied to numerous thought-provoking cases and contemporary questions.
Chapters are organized around common moral themes in order to help readers understand the values and other connections that tie together different positions in bioethics. Since the last edition, the field of bioethics has had to grapple with additional challenges, critiques, and difficult decisions. Readers are guided through the ethical complexities of abortion, medical aid in dying, genetic engineering, posthumous reproduction, biomedical research, and organ transplantation, among other topics.
Key changes to the Fifth Edition include:
A new chapter dedicated to public health emergencies, incorporating key lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that are relevant for future crisis planning.
An introduction to disability ethics among non-principlist approaches, which continues to grow in influence in bioethics.
Statistics and references have been supplemented across all chapters, integrating more international perspectives and data.
New and updated cases illustrating a range of contemporary bioethical issues.
Updated references and Key Concepts at the end of each chapter.
Chapters are organized around common moral themes in order to help readers understand the values and other connections that tie together different positions in bioethics. Since the last edition, the field of bioethics has had to grapple with additional challenges, critiques, and difficult decisions. Readers are guided through the ethical complexities of abortion, medical aid in dying, genetic engineering, posthumous reproduction, biomedical research, and organ transplantation, among other topics.
Key changes to the Fifth Edition include:
A new chapter dedicated to public health emergencies, incorporating key lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that are relevant for future crisis planning.
An introduction to disability ethics among non-principlist approaches, which continues to grow in influence in bioethics.
Statistics and references have been supplemented across all chapters, integrating more international perspectives and data.
New and updated cases illustrating a range of contemporary bioethical issues.
Updated references and Key Concepts at the end of each chapter.
Reviews / Votes
Praise for the previous edition:"Veatch and Guidry-Grimes have set a new standard for balancing breadth, clarity, and accessibility for introductory texts in healthcare ethics. They impressively cover a wide range of important topics, and they are judicious and fair in their discussion of the many sides to pressing bioethical debates. This text will serve well undergraduate students in general healthcare ethics courses, as well as anyone looking for an up-to-date guide to contemporary debates in bioethics."
- Michael J. Deem, Duquesne University
More details
Edition
5th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Adult education
Illustrations
23 Line drawings, black and white; 23 Illustrations, black and white
File size
181,99 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-50342-3 (9781040503423)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Laura K. Guidry-Grimes
The Basics of Bioethics
Book
approx. 01/2026
5th Edition
Routledge
€69.80
Not yet published
Laura K. Guidry-Grimes
The Basics of Bioethics
Book
approx. 01/2026
5th Edition
Routledge
€212.30
Not yet published
Previous edition
Laura K. Guidry-Grimes
The Basics of Bioethics
E-Book
10/2019
4th Edition
Routledge
€60.99
Available for download
Person
Laura K. Guidry-Grimes is Staff Bioethicist at Cleveland Clinic with faculty appointments at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University. She provides clinical ethics consultation and teaches bioethics to practitioners, trainees, and students across disciplines. She co-authored the fourth edition of The Basics of Bioethics (2019) and co-edited Applying Nonideal Theory to Bioethics: Living and Dying in a Nonideal World (with Elizabeth Victor, 2021) and Moral Expertise: New Essays from Theoretical and Clinical Bioethics (with Jamie Carlin Watson, 2018).
Robert M. Veatch, before his passing in 2020, was Senior Research Scholar and Professor of Medical Ethics, Emeritus, and former Director at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University. While co-author to the previous fourth edition of The Basics of Bioethics (2019), he also authored, co-authored, or edited 60 additional books including Hippocratic, Religious, and Secular Medical Ethics (2012), Case Studies in Biomedical Ethics (with Amy Haddad and Dan English, 2015), Transplantation Ethics (with Lainie F. Ross, 2015), and Defining Death: The Case for Choice (with Lainie F. Ross, 2016).
Robert M. Veatch, before his passing in 2020, was Senior Research Scholar and Professor of Medical Ethics, Emeritus, and former Director at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University. While co-author to the previous fourth edition of The Basics of Bioethics (2019), he also authored, co-authored, or edited 60 additional books including Hippocratic, Religious, and Secular Medical Ethics (2012), Case Studies in Biomedical Ethics (with Amy Haddad and Dan English, 2015), Transplantation Ethics (with Lainie F. Ross, 2015), and Defining Death: The Case for Choice (with Lainie F. Ross, 2016).
Content
1. A Map of the Terrain of Ethics 2. The Hippocratic Oath and Its Challengers: A Brief History 3. The Basis of Moral Status in Debates on Defining Death, Abortion, Stem Cells, and Animal Welfare 4. Principle-Based Approaches to Moral Problems in Bioethics 5. Alternative Approaches: Virtues, Casuistry, Narrative Ethics, Feminist Ethics, Care Ethics, and Disability Ethics 6. Problems in Benefiting and Avoiding Harm 7. The Ethics of Respect for Persons 8. The Principle of Avoiding Killing 9. The Ethics of Deciding on Behalf of Another 10. Human Control of Life: Genetics and Modifying Human Nature 11. Reproductive Choice and Technologies: Ethical Challenges in the Creation of Humans 12. Social Ethics of Medicine: Utility Measures, Healthcare Systems, Transplantation, and Research Involving Human Participants 13 Public Health in Crisis: Emergency Planning and Triage Appendix.
