Description
Smith (law, Catholic U. of America Law School) addresses a number of questions concerning the implications of medical technology advancement and the distribution of medical resources. He examines measuring tools for determining rational rationing of health resources, such as the "quality of adjusted life year." He also addresses questions concerning genetic technology, such as whether there are worthy goals in genetic enhancement beyond therapy and whether there is a standard of "genetic responsibility" that should be imposed upon research. The conditions under which human experimentation can be pursued in order to advance genetic research are explored next. Finally, issues connected to human organ transplantation are examined as a paradigmatic case study of the issue of distributive justice and new medical science. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Is the advancement of scientific knowledge and the development of biomedical technologies – known as the ‘New Medicine’ – desirable? George P. Smith asks this fundamental question while also confronting the distribution of these scarce medical resources. Law, economics, medical science, philosophy and ethics all coalesce in this discussion of how to structure normative standards of conduct that will improve the quality of human life. The author begins by examining various economic constructs as aids for achieving a fair and equitable delivery of health care services. He then assesses their level of practical application and evaluates the costs and benefits to society of pursuing the development and use of the ‘New Medicine’. The book ends with a case study of organ and tissue transplantation that illustrates the implementation of distributive justice. The author concludes that as long as clinical medicine maintains its focus on healing and alleviating suffering among patients, a point of equilibrium will be reached that advances the common good. This timely and compelling exploration will be a must-read for scholars, researchers, policymakers and all those interested in advances in medical technology and the issues surrounding access to health care.
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