The subject of medical ethics is always current and offers an inviting theme, particularly for anyone who has spent his life in medical practice. But the subject of ethics is impossible to deal with unless one first asks its purposes. Therefore, this book is divided into two parts, the first comprehends theoretical considerations and the second, pragmatic and empirical data on, and discussions of, current problems. Part One will be of greater interest to moral philosophers, philosophers and historians of science, and social scientists. Part Two should have greater appeal to physicians, medical students and medical planners. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the latter will look into Part One for the justification of the conclusions the author could reach on the material presented in Part Two. Likewise, it will become obvious why it is believed the solutions of many, if not most, ethical dilemmas are not always discernible at a given moment in time. Also, those who are more concerned with the theoretical material of Part One might find its application to current real-life problems interesting. It should not be too much to hope that the entire book will appeal to many general readers. The bio-ethical problems presented are of frequent and growing personal concern, and are discussed almost daily in the news media.

One: An Evolutionary View of Ethics, Rights and the Doctor-Patient Relationship.- 1. Ethical Theory.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Philosophical Considerations.- 3. Biological Considerations.- 4. Discussion.- 5. Conclusions.- 2. Dual Evolution: Ethics, The Law, Rights.- 1. Ethics and the Law.- 2. The Concept of Rights.- 3. Conclusions.- 3. Bases for Medical Ethics.- 1. Origin of Medical Ethics and the Doctor-Patient Relationship.- 2. Rights and the Practice of Medicine.- 3. Summary and Conclusions.- Summary and Conclusion to Part One.- Two: A Physician's Perspective on Problems In Medical Ethics (From an Evolutionary Ethical Point of View).- 4. Public Health Policy and Rights (AIDS).- 1. Introduction to the Problem.- 2. Testing for HIV.- 3. Problems in AIDS Control.- 4. Conclusions.- 5. Public Health Policy and Individual Rights (DRUGS).- 1. Drug Addictions (and Alcoholism).- 2. Drugs in Sports.- 6. Public Health Policy and Individual Rights (Continued).- 1. Rights and Psychiatry.- 2. Rights of the Handicapped and Disabled.- 3. Testing for Genetic Disease.- 7. Experimentation and Research.- 1. Research on Humans.- 2. Animal Experimentation.- 3. Biotechnology (Genetic Engineering).- 4. The Human Genome.- 8. Problems of Reproduction - Abortion (with notes on contraception).- 1. Discussion and Conclusions.- 9. Problems of Reproduction - Artificial Conception.- 1. Artificial Reproduction.- 2. Population Problems.- 3. Discussion and Conclusions (abortion, artificial conception and population problems).- 10. Dying.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Infanticide.- 3. Euthanasia.- 4. Discussion and Conclusions.- 11. Transplantation (with additional notes on the rationing of medical care).- 1. Transplantations.- 2. Discussion.- 3. Rationing.- Summary and Conclusions to Part Two.- References.