The Vegetative State

Medical Facts, Ethical and Legal Dilemmas
Erscheinungsjahr 2002
ISBN: 978-0-521-44158-2
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 242 Seiten, Format (B × H): 151 mm x 231 mm, Gewicht: 417 g

The strange and harrowing sight of a person being awake but unaware with no evidence of a working mind - the characteristics of the vegetative state - provokes intense debate and raises profound questions for health professionals, ethicists, philosophers and lawyers. This unique account by an unrivalled expert in the field, who himself collaborated in coining the term 'persistent vegetative state', surveys the medical, ethical and legal issues that surround this controversial topic. The medical definition and criteria for diagnosis are discussed, as are its frequency and causes, and possible outcomes. Ethical arguments discussed include the conflict between sanctity of life and respect for the autonomy and best interests of the victim, and between killing and letting die. Legal issues are explored with details of landmark court cases from the USA, Britain and elsewhere. This well-informed and carefully constructed account will be a benchmark for medical specialists, ethicists, lawyers and philosophers.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Jennett, Bryan

Fachgebiete

• Medizin | Veterinärmedizin Medizin | Public Health | Pharmazie | Zahnmedizin Medizin, Gesundheitswesen Medizinische Ethik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Angewandte Ethik & Soziale Verantwortung Medizinische Ethik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface; 1. A syndrome in search of a name; 2. Diagnosis; 3. Epidemiology - frequency and causes; 4. Pathology of the brain damage; 5. Prognosis for recovery and survival; 6. Attitudes to the permanent vegetative state; 7. Medical management; 8. Ethical issues; 9. Legal issues in the USA; 10. Legal issues in Britain; 11. Legal issues in other countries; 12. Details of some landmark cases; Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Jennett, Bryan
Bryan Jennett has had a long and distinguished career with unrivalled insight into the vegetative state. As Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Glasgow his research was instrumental in defining the condition, and in coining the term 'persistent vegetative state'. Since then he has continued to write extensively on this subject, to lecture widely around the world, and has been an expert witness in a number of key court cases.