Notice:
Due to unexpected demand for "Being Human,"
the Council has run out of copies. Copyright and permissions
issues prevent us from
posting the book on our website or from printing further
copies. We thank you for your understanding.
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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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