The Story of Bioethics

"A handsome, carefully edited, and thoughtfully indexed volume offering authors' reflections on their seminal works...To anyone interested in the history of bioethics, or looking for insights into seminal works that guided the field during its first three decades, this is a 'must 'read.'"—The Hastings Center Report

"Far more illuminating than any history of bioethics to date. It is much more informative about the actual historical conditions of the writing of these seminal works and provides much more of an intellectual history of bioethics. Anyone who wants to know what bioethics is about should read this book."—Ethically Speaking

"As a field still in development, with much more to come, bioethics rewards a reflection on its origin and early days—and what happened in the aftermath. This engaging, interesting book uses the Kennedy Institute of Ethics and its important work for over 30 years as its point of departure. It is a fascinating story, well told."—Daniel Callahan, director of International Programs, The Hastings Center

"The Story of Bioethics is a veritable 'Genealogy of Medical Morals.' Luminary figures who were active in creating the field of bioethics provide fascinating first-hand accounts of the origins of many of the major theories of medical ethics, recounting the original debates and casting these debates into the twenty-first century. Just how did one become a bioethicist in the 1960s? Whose work were these authors then reading? With whom were they debating? This book is far more illuminating than any history of bioethics to date. It is much more informative about the actual historical conditions of the writing of these seminal works and provides much more of an intellectual history of bioethics, since the contributors explain how they came to arrive at their philosophical and theological positions, how these positions have evolved, and where they think their theories will move the field in the future. Anyone who wants to know what bioethics is about should read this book."—Daniel P. Sulmasy, OFM, MD, PhD, Sisters of Charity Chair in Ethics, St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan and New York Medical College

"The authors in The Story of Bioethics are to be highly commended for their thoughtful and rigorous self-critical reflection on their contributions to the discipline of bioethics. While somewhat historical and autobiographical, the essays present various images of the development of a beginning discipline as well as sound analysis of the core issues that have engaged all who reflect on these themes. One can also discern here some of the shape of future developments. This is an important work not only because we have the reflections of many of those who were 'there at the beginning' but also because of the authors' continuing engagement with developments in the field."—Thomas A. Shannon, professor of religion and social ethics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute