Human Dignity and Bioethics

Edmund D. Pellegrino is professor emeritus of medicine and medical ethics and adjunct professor of philosophy at Georgetown University. Adam Schulman is Tutor at St. John's College, Annapolis, and senior research consultant for the President's Council on Bioethics. Thomas W. Merrill is assistant professor in the Department of Government at American University and a research analyst for the President's Council on Bioethics.

"The anthology Human Dignity and Bioethics presents a collection of papers originally published by the US-American President's Council on Bioethics 'in response to questions about the Council's use of the term human dignity.' It provides an extremely helpful and illuminating survey of different understandings of 'human dignity' and their consequences for bioethics. It also illustrates the diversity of interpretations that may very well contradict each other and come to different consequences in dealing with bioethical issues . . . the greatest use of the volume lies in its compilation of different approaches and concepts regarding 'human dignity.'" -Studies in Christian Ethics "This volume by leading philosophers, theologians, and political scientists was commissioned by the President's Council on Bioethics. This volume is a good introduction to the topic, but also offers rich, and complex ideas for more advanced readers." -The Quarterly Review of Biology "This collection of essays was commissioned by the President's Council on Bioethics and explores a fundamental concept crucial to today's discourse in law and ethics in general and in bioethics in particular. Since its formation in 2001, the council has frequently used the term 'human dignity' in its discussions and reports. In this volume, scholars from the fields of philosophy, medicine, medical ethics, law, political science, and public policy address the issue of what the concept of 'human dignity' entails and its proper role in bioethical controversies." -Issues in Law and Medicine "In response to questions about the use of the term human dignity in the published reports of the President's Council on Bioethics, the Council commissioned this collection of essays examining the concept from a multitude of disciplinary perspectives, including theology, philosophy, medicine, and the biological sciences." -Research Book News