The Law and Ethics of Medicine Essays on the Inviolability of Human Life

• Provides a unique, expert and clear guide to a foundational principle of medical law: the sanctity/inviolability of human life
• Considers the principle's continuing relevance to the law governing medical practice at the beginning and end of life
• Critically analyses the extent to which medical law consistently instantiates the principle of the inviolability of life
• Offers an overview of the principle by bringing together and updating some of author's key publications which are complemented by new essays addressing topical issues
• Addresses landmark, controversial cases and legislation in the law and ethics of medicine, including Roe v. Wade, Airedale NHS Trust v. Bland, the Abortion Act 1967 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005

The Law and Ethics of Medicine: Essays on the Inviolability of Human Life explains the principle of the inviolability of human life and its continuing relevance to English law governing aspects of medical practice at the beginning and end of life.
The book shows that the principle, though widely recognized as an historic and foundational principle of the common law, has been misunderstood in the legal academy, at the Bar and on the Bench. Part I of the book identifies the confusion and clarifies the principle, distinguishing it from 'vitalism' on the one hand and a 'qualitative' evaluation of human life on the other. Part II addresses legal aspects of the beginning of life, including the history of the law against abortion and its relevance to the ongoing abortion debate in the US; the law relating to the 'morning after' pill; and the legal status of the human embryo in vitro. Part III addresses legal aspects of the end of life, including the euthanasia debate; the withdrawal of tube-feeding from patients in a 'persistent vegetative state'; and the duty to provide palliative treatment.
This unique collection of essays offers a much-needed clarification of a cardinal legal and ethical principle and should be of interest to lawyers, bioethicists, and healthcare professionals (whether they subscribe to the principle or not) in all common law jurisdictions and beyond.

Readership: Academic and practicing lawyers, particularly those specializing in medical law and family law; academics interested in legal aspects of bioethics; healthcare professionals; students of law, medicine, and nursing.