"Over the course of its first seven editions, Principles of Biomedical Ethics has proved to be, globally, the most widely used, authored work in biomedical ethics. It is unique in being a book in bioethics used in numerous disciplines for purposes of instruction in bioethics. Its framework of moral principles is authoritative for many professional associations and biomedical institutions-for instruction in both clinical ethics and research ethics. It has been widely used in several disciplines for purposes of teaching in the classroom, during conferences, etc"-- Provided by publisher.

Part I. Moral foundations -- 1. Moral norms -- Normative and nonnormative ethics -- The common morality as universal morality -- Particular moralities as nonuniversal -- Moral dilemmas -- A framework of moral principles -- Conflicting moral norms -- Conclusion -- 2. Moral character -- The concept of moral virtue -- Virtues in professional roles -- The central virtue of caring -- Five focal virtues -- Moral ideals -- Moral excellence -- Conclusion -- 3. Moral status -- The problem of moral status -- Theories of moral status -- From theories to practical guidelines -- The moral significance of moral status -- Vulnerable populations and vulnerable individuals -- Conclusion -- Part II. Moral principles -- 4. Respect for autonomy and the principle of respect for autonomy -- The capacity for autonomous choice -- The meaning and justification of informed consent -- Disclosure -- Understanding -- Voluntariness -- Surrogate decision making for nonautonomous patients -- Conclusion -- 5. Nonmaleficence -- The concept and principle of nonmaleficence -- Distinctions and rules governing nontreatment decisions -- Optional treatments and obligatory treatments -- Killing and letting die -- Intentionally arranged deaths : when, if ever, are they justified? -- Protecting incompetent patients from harm -- Whose risks and whose benefits? Problems of underprotection and overprotection in research -- Conclusion -- 6. Beneficence -- The concept of beneficence and principles of beneficence -- Obligatory beneficence and ideal beneficence -- Paternalism : conflicts between beneficence and respect for autonomy -- Balancing benefits, costs, and risks -- The value and quality of life -- Conclusion -- 7. Justice -- The concept of justice and principles of justice -- Traditional theories of justice -- Two theories closely connected to the value of health -- Fair opportunity and unfair discrimination -- Vulnerability, exploitation, and discrimination in research -- National health policy and the right to health care -- Global health policy and the right to health -- Allocating, setting priorities, and rationing -- Conclusion -- 8. Professional-patient relationships -- Veracity -- Privacy -- Confidentiality -- Fidelity -- The distinction between clinical ethics and research ethics -- Conclusion -- Part III. Theory and method -- 9. Moral theories -- Criteria for assessing moral theories -- Utilitarian theory -- Kantian theory -- Rights theory -- Virtue theory -- The convergence of theories on principles -- Conclusion -- 10. Method and moral justification -- Justification in ethics -- Top-down models : theory and application -- Bottom-up models : cases and analogical reasoning -- An integrated model : reflective equilibrium -- Common-morality theory -- Conclusion.