Quality Of Life In Jewish Bioethics

This anthology of original essays by leading thinkers in the field gathers together in one place voices from diverse theological and practical commitments. Unlike other publications on Jewish bioethics, it adopts an explicitly pluralistic stance. The book addresses tension between the 'quality of life' and the 'sanctity of life' issues, and will be of interest to lay readers, graduate students of bioethics, and rabbis.

Scholars of ethics, law, religion, and other disciplines gathered in New York City in the spring of 2002, for the first of a planned series of conferences on Jewish bioethics. The theme was the quality of life and its interpretation in light of fundamental Jewish values. From that conference, these 10 essays discuss the quality versus the sanctity

Drawing on multiple interconnected scriptural and spiritual sources, the Jewish tradition of ethical reflection is intricate and nuanced. This book presents scholarly Jewish perspectives on suffering, healing, life, and death, and it compares them with contemporary Christian and secular views. The Jewish perspectives presented in this book are mainly those of orthodox scholars, with the responses representing primarily Christian-Catholic points of view. Readers unfamiliar with the Jewish tradition will find here a practical introduction to its major voices, from Spinoza to Jewish religious law. The contributors explore such issues as active and passive euthanasia, abortion, assisted reproduction, genetic screening, and health care delivery. Offering a thoughtful and thought-provoking dialogue between Jewish and Christian scholars, Jewish and Catholic Bioethics is an important contribution to ecumenical understanding in the realm of health care.

"In addition, a number of the earlier chapters have been thoroughly revised in light of current developments. The book is an addition to the library of anyone who is concerned about the interaction between modern medicine and Jewish law in the twenty-first century."--BOOK JACKET.

Determined by laws, still allows for many different--and sometimes mutually contradictory--viewpoints. For professionals, religious leaders, and the general public. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

In Matters of Life and Death, Dr. Elliot Dorff addresses this unavoidable confluence of medical technology and Jewish law and ethics. Dr. Dorff, who has been studying and consulting on biomedical ethics for more than thirty years, discusses modern medical ethical dilemmas from a specifically Conservative Jewish point of view. He includes issues such as artificial insemination, genetic engineering, cloning, surrogate motherhood, and birth control, as well as living wills, hospice care, euthanasia, organ donation, and autopsy.

Narratives and Jewish Bioethics searches for answers to the critical question of what roles ancient narratives play in creating modern norms by Jewish bioethicists utilizing the Jewish textual tradition.