Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
A profound, provocative, and addictively engaging book of open-ended medical cases that ask, "What would you do?"
"An original, compelling, and provocative exploration of ethical issues in our society. I have not seen anything like it." --Alan Lightman, author of Einstein's Dreams
Who Says You're Dead? brings the most challenging and unsettling ethics controversies from contemporary science and medicine to the proverbial water cooler. Drawing upon the author's two decades teaching medical ethics at America's top universities and medical schools and his work as a practicing psychiatrist, this innovative book asks readers, when faced with complex, unsettling scenarios readers, What would you do? Is it ethical for an insured woman to pose as her uninsured twin in order to obtain lifesaving medical attention for her; a couple wants a deaf a baby and is willing pursue this via medical technology but should this be allowed?; a young man wants to donate a kidney to his father, but a tissue match reveals that he is actually not the biological son. Should this information be revealed to either father or son?; a mentally disabled man says no to a medical procedure that could save the life of his brother. Should he be forced?
Some cases are pulled from today's headlines, others loosely based on cases reported in professional journals. A few, painstakingly disguised, come from the author's own clinical encounters. Every scenario is followed by a brief reflection of how various modern thought leaders (ethicists, philosophers, courts, political commentators, research scientists and medical professionals) have addressed the underlying issues.
In a society in which much of the public views many hot button ethical issues in stark, black and white terms, the scenarios in Who Says You're Dead? are designed to defy easy answers and to stimulate thought. It's impossible to read just one.
Synopsis
"An original, compelling, and provocative exploration of ethical issues in our society, with thoughtful and balanced commentary. I have not seen anything like it." --Alan Lightman, author of Einstein's Dreams Drawing upon the author's two decades teaching medical ethics, as well as his work as a practicing psychiatrist, this profound and addictive little book offers up challenging ethical dilemmas and asks readers,
What would you
do?- A daughter gets tested to see if she's a match to donate a kidney to her father. The test reveals that she is not the man's biological daughter. Should the doctor tell the father? Or the daughter?
- A deaf couple prefers a deaf baby. Should they be allowed to use medical technology to ensure they have a child who can't hear?
- Who should get custody of an embryo created through IVF when a couple divorces?
- Or, when you or a loved one is on life support, Who says you're dead?
In short, engaging scenarios, Dr. Appel takes on hot-button issues that many of us will confront: genetic screening, sexuality, privacy, doctor-patient confidentiality. He unpacks each hypothetical with a brief reflection drawing from science, philosophy, and history, explaining how others have approached these controversies in real-world cases.
Who Says You're Dead? is designed to defy easy answers and to stimulate thought and even debate among professionals and armchair ethicists alike.