Preventing Prenatal Harm: Should the State Intervene?: 3 (Clinical Medical Ethics, 3) - Hardcover

Mathieu, D.; Morreim, E. Haavi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0792309847 ISBN 13: 9780792309840

Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1991

Synopsis

The issues explored in this book have unfortunately come to be known as 'maternal-fetal conflicts'. The phrase is unsatisfactory because it is misleading: It places the emphasis on the well-being of the fetus instead of on the born child (who will bear the burden of any harm done prenatally); it assumes a conflict between a pregnant women and her offspring (while the issue is usually more complex and more broadly based); and it incorrectly implies that all pregnant women are appropriately regarded as mothers. For these reasons, I have chosen to avoid the phrase 'matern- fetal conflict' altogether, and will instead speak in terms of 'preventable prenatal harm'. I mention this at the outset, for those of you familiar with 'maternal-fetal conflicts' who might be wondering if I am addressing the same issues. Yes. But I am trying to look at them in a new - and I hope more fruitful - way. I would like to thank the other participants in the Hastings Center's maternal-fetal project - especially those who disageed with me - for being so thought-provoking. And I owe a lasting debt of gratitude to Henry Ruth and Allen Buchanan for their invaluable counsel.

About this title

Review

"Mathieu's book is clear, succinct, and philosophically astute. Those working on reproductive ethics will find it a useful reference since it summarizes legal cases well and supports empirical claims with a wealth of medical date." -- "Ethics"

"Her arguments are masterfully marshalled. For those interested in the subject matter, this book is now their point of departure -- regardless of their terminus." -- "Theological Studies"

"A highly readable, eminently sensible book.... Mathieu sensitively balances the claims of the future child against the pregnant woman's rights to privacy and self-determination.... "Preventing Prenatal Harm" should be required reading for all those likely to face such a decision." -- "Bioethics," reviewing a previous edition or volume

About the Author

Deborah Mathieu is an associate professor in the political science department at the University of Arizona.

Edition details

• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0792309847
• ISBN 13: 9780792309840
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 164