The New Genetic Medicine: Theological and Ethical Reflections

by Thomas A. Shannon, James J. Walter

Overview

From dramatic advances in medical genetics and biotechnology, controversies have emerged in the application of these techniques over the control and design of living organisms. This book brings together the seminal essays of two Catholic moral theologians in an effort to identify the key ethical and theological questions raised by the new genetic technology. Roman Catholic tradition meets modern medicine in dialogue to bring issues of faith, science, and ethical decision making into perspective.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742531710
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/14/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.44(d)

About the Author

Thomas A. Shannon is professor of religion and social ethics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is the author of many articles and books in Catholic Social thought, bioethics, and genetics. He is the editor of a series of readers in bioethics for Sheed & Ward. James J. Walter is Austin & Ann O'Malley Professor of Bioethics and director of the Bioethics Institute at Loyola Marymount University. He has written many articles and books on morality, medical ethics, and biotechnology, including A Call to Fidelity.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Theological Issues in Genetics Chapter 2 thical Issues in Genetics Chapter 3 Catholic Reflections on the Human Genome Project Chapter 4 Reflections on the Moral Status of the Pre-embryo Chapter 5 Human Nature in a Post-Genomic World Chapter 6 Human Gene Transfer: Some Theological Contributions to the Ethi-cal Debate Chapter 7 Human Cloning: Religious and Ethical Issues Chapter 8 Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy Chapter 9 Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Therapy: From the Micro to the Macro Chapter 10 The Bioengineering of Planet Earth: Some Scientific, Moral and Theological Considerations

Editorial Reviews

The first task, in a complex democracy facing a complex moral issue such as the use of genetic medicine, is to learn to listen. It is precisely when we most deeply disagree about meaning and moral choices that we need to hear each justifying argument and be troubled by each troubling question. Shannon and Walter have consistently offered a differing, distinctive, and thoughtfully argued voice in Catholic bioethics, and their understanding of their tradition and its attention to social justice is an important contribution to the multivocal work of moral citizenship.--Laurie Zoloth, Northwestern University

Shannon and Walter are two accomplished theologians with an extensive track record in bioethics. For those who want a comprehensive analysis of religious and ethical positions on the new genetics, this is the book. It provides an excellent compass for scholars and can serve as a course text.--Lisa Sowle Cahill, J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College

From the Publisher

The first task, in a complex democracy facing a complex moral issue such as the use of genetic medicine, is to learn to listen. It is precisely when we most deeply disagree about meaning and moral choices that we need to hear each justifying argument and be troubled by each troubling question. Shannon and Walter have consistently offered a differing, distinctive, and thoughtfully argued voice in Catholic bioethics, and their understanding of their tradition and its attention to social justice is an important contribution to the multivocal work of moral citizenship.

Laurie Zoloth

Shannon and Walter are two accomplished theologians with an extensive track record in bioethics. For those who want a comprehensive analysis of religious and ethical positions on the new genetics, this is the book. It provides an excellent compass for scholars and can serve as a course text.

Lisa Sowle Cahill