NCJ Number
9377
Date Published
1970
Length
203 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF CONTROVERSIAL MEDICAL PROCEDURES IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.
Abstract
THE PROCEDURES INCLUDE VOLUNTARY STERILIZATION, COMPULSORY STERILIZATION AND CASTRATION, TRANS-SEXUAL OPERATIONS, MEDICAL EXPERIMENTATION, ORGAN TRANSPLANTS AND EUTHANASIA. IN ADDITION TO THE MEDICO-LEGAL DISCUSSIONS, EACH TOPIC IS DEALT WITH IN AN ETHICAL, MORAL, AND THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT, THE AUTHOR DETAILING THE PROS AND CONS VOICED BY ADVOCATES IN OTHER DISCIPLINES. THE PROCEDURES ARE CONSIDERED FROM BOTH THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT AND ABILITY TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF PHYSICAL INTRUSION UPON HIS BODY AND THAT OF SOCIETY'S RIGHT TO LIMIT OR DIRECT SUCH INTRUSION. THE QUESTIONS RAISED INCLUDE A VARIETY OF ISSUES SUCH AS WHO SHALL JUDGE THOSE UNFIT FOR PROCREATION, WHAT CONSTITUTES DEATH, AND WHERE DOES THERAPY END AND EXPERIMENTATION BEGIN. MOST OF THE ISSUES HAVE NOT BEEN STRICTLY DELINEATED BY THE COUNTRIES COVERED BUT THE AUTHOR HAS PRESENTED THE DIFFERENT ARGUMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE NATIONS CAN STANDARDIZE THEIR MEDICAL AND LEGAL CODES REGARDING THESE CONTROVERSIAL PROCEDURES. (SNI ABSTRACT)