Increasingly, advances in biomedical science and technology
raise profound challenges to familiar human practices
and ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. It is no
wonder, then, that bioethics touches matters close to
the core of our humanity: birth and death, body and
mind, sickness and health, freedom and dignity are but
a few of these.
From the beginning, human beings have addressed these
matters in works of history, philosophy, literature
and religious meditation. These works can be invaluable
companions as we search for a richer understanding and
deeper appreciation of our humanity, necessary for facing
the new challenges of our biotechnological age.
With this in mind the Council has prepared Being Human:
Readings from the President's Council on Bioethics, an
anthology of works of literature that speak to bioethical
dilemmas. It contains 95 selections from sources as wide-ranging
as Homer, Tolstoy, Shakespeare, American folk songs, contemporary
fiction and poetry, and even a screenplay. Each selection
is accompanied by an introduction that directs readers toward
its bioethical implications, and provides questions for groups
reading together or individuals studying alone.
To view the Table
of Contents or sample a few of the readings within
it, see below:
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