Rethinking well-being in biomedical ethics

The notion of well-being accompanies us on a daily basis right from the beginning of life through to its end. As a matter of course we base the decisions that we make on whether or not our alternative options will promote our well-being or the well-being of others. Yet there appears to be not the slightest suggestion of agreement as to what well-being actually is. One area in which this poses a significant problem is the field of biomedical ethics since this is obviously in need of an operational concept with regard to the notion of well-being and urgently requires a common language. Rethinking Well-being in Biomedical Ethics sets out to undertake this task of developing a common language by establishing a criti cal analysis of the role which well-being currently plays in biomedical ethics. The book takes the reader on a journey through four major fields of discussion representing the various stages in life: debates concerning the beginning of life, that is to say prenatal testing and selection, discussions in the intermediate phase of life such as the deliberations on enhancement, the allocation of scarce goods representing critical states in life and finally those dealing with the end of life namely cases of assistance in dying and foregoing life-sustaining treatment. It thereby provides a vivid illustration of the presence and meaning of well-being in each field of discussion.