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38On the random distribution of scarce doses of vaccine in response to the threat of an influenza pandemic: a response to WardropeJournal of Medical Ethics 41 (2): 191-194. 2015.Wardrope argues against my proposed non-consequentialist policy for the distribution of scarce influenza vaccine in the face of a pandemic. According to him, even if one accepts what he calls my deontological ethical theory, it does not follow that we are required to agree with my proposed randomised allocation of doses of vaccine by means of a lottery. He argues in particular that I fail to consider fully the prophylactic role of vaccination whereby it serves to protect from infection more peop…Read more
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10Human reproduction and rights of action and of recipienceHuman Reproduction and Genetic Ethics 10 (2): 45-48. 2003.
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7Bodies, persons and research on human embryosHuman Reproduction and Genetic Ethics 8 (1): 4-6. 2001.
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4Book Reviews : Witch-Hunting, Magic and the New Philosophy: An Introduction to Debates of the Scientific Revolution 1450-1750. BY BRIAN EASLEA. Sussex and New Jersey: The Harvester Press and Humanities Press, 1980. Pp. 283. $42.50 (review)Philosophy of the Social Sciences 14 (4): 577-580. 1984.
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39Abortion and Dawkins' Fallacious Account of the So-called 'Great Beethoven Fallacy'Human Reproduction and Genetic Ethics 15 (2): 44-54. 2010.In his discussion of ethics and abortion, Prof. Richard Dawkins makes the provocative claim that: ‘The Great Beethoven Fallacy is a typ ical example of the kind of logical mess we get into when our minds are befuddled by religiously inspired absolutism.’ (Dawkins, p. 339) This supposed fallacy is presented as if it exemplified not only a particular view of abortion held, for instance, by certain fundamentalist Christians but as if it revealed some flaw that is characteristic of the thinking of t…Read more
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32To kill is not the same as to let die: a reply to CoggonJournal of Medical Ethics 35 (7): 456-458. 2009.Coggon’s remarks on a previous paper on active and passive euthanasia elicit a clarification and an elaboration of the argument in support of the claim that there is a moral difference between killing and letting die. The relevant moral duties are different in nature, strength and content. Moreover, not all people who are involved in the relevant situations have the same moral duties. The particular case that is presented in support of the claim that to kill is not the same as to let die is base…Read more
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46Commercial Agencies and Surrogate Motherhood: A Transaction Cost ApproachHealth Care Analysis 13 (1): 11-31. 2005.In this paper we investigate the legal arrangements involved in UK surrogate motherhood from a transaction-cost perspective. We outline the specific forms the transaction costs take and critically comment on the way in which the UK institutional and organisational arrangements at present adversely influence transaction costs. We then focus specifically on the potential role of surrogacy agencies and look at UK and US evidence on commercial and voluntary agencies. Policy implications follow.
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13Rationality and the Belief in Witches: A Rejoinder to TibbettsPhilosophy of the Social Sciences 13 (4): 475-477. 1983.
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179Moral rights to life, both natural and non-natural: reflections on James GriffinDiametros 26 58-76. 2010.
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53A proposed non-consequentialist policy for the ethical distribution of scarce vaccination in the face of an influenza pandemicJournal of Medical Ethics 38 (5): 317-318. 2012.The current UK policy for the distribution of scarce vaccination in an influenza pandemic is ethically dubious. It is based on the planned outcome of the maximum health benefit in terms of the saving of lives and the reduction of illness. To that end, the population is classified in terms of particular priority groups. An alternative policy with a non-consequentialist rationale is proposed in the present work. The state should give the vaccination, in the first instance, to those who are at risk…Read more
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84The unpaid donation of blood and altruism: a comment on KeownJournal of Medical Ethics 24 (4): 252-256. 1998.In line with article 3.4 of EC directive 89/381, Keown has presented an ethical case in support of the policy of voluntary, unpaid donation of blood. Although no doubt is cast on the desirability of the policy, that part of Keown's argument which pertains to the suggested laudability of altruism and of its encouragment by social policy is examined and shown to be dubious
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300The ethics of killing and letting die: active and passive euthanasiaJournal of Medical Ethics 34 (8): 636-638. 2008.In their account of passive euthanasia, Garrard and Wilkinson present arguments that might lead one to overlook significant moral differences between killing and letting die. To kill is not the same as to let die. Similarly, there are significant differences between active and passive euthanasia. Our moral duties differ with regard to them. We are, in general, obliged to refrain from killing each and everyone. We do not have a similar obligation to try to prevent each and everyone from dying. In…Read more
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56Smokers, virgins, equity and health care costsJournal of Medical Ethics 21 (4): 209-213. 1995.Julian Le Grand's case for saying that it would be equitable if smokers and smokers alone were to pay the costs of smoking-related health care is considered and found to be deficient
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28Persons and Their Bodies: How We Should Think About Human Embryos (review)Health Care Analysis 10 (2): 155-164. 2002.The status of human embryos is discussedparticularly in the light of the claim by Fox,in Health Care Analysis 8 that itwould be useful to think of them in terms ofcyborg metaphors.It is argued that we should consider humanembryos for what they are – partiallyformed human bodies – rather than for what theyare like in some respects (and unlike inothers) – cyborgs.However to settle the issue of the status ofthe embryo is not to answer the moral questionswhich arise concerning how embryos should bet…Read more
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3John Harris, Enhancing Evolution: The Ethical Case for Making Better People Princeton University Press, 2007, 260 PAGES, $27.95/£ 16. 95 hardbackH A RBACK, ISBN1: 978-0-9 1-128-44-3 (review)Human Reproduction and Genetic Ethics 15 (1): 40. 2010.
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112Bodies, rights and abortionJournal of Medical Ethics 23 (3): 176-180. 1997.The issue of abortion is discussed with reference to the claim that people have a right of control over their own bodies. Do people "own" their own bodies? If so, what would be entailed? These questions are discussed in commonsense terms and also in relation to the jurisprudence of Hohfeld, Honore, Munzer and Waldron. It is argued that whether or not women are morally and/or should be legally entitled to have abortions, such entitlements cannot be derived from a general moral entitlement to do w…Read more
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26What moral status should be accorded to those human beings who have profound intellectual disabilities? A reply to Curtis and VehmasJournal of Medical Ethics 42 (8): 550-551. 2016.
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95Altruism, blood donation and public policy: a reply to KeownJournal of Medical Ethics 25 (6): 532-536. 1999.This is a continuation of and a development of a debate between John Keown and me. The issue discussed is whether, in Britain, an unpaid system of blood donation promotes and is justified by its promotion of altruism. Doubt is cast on the notions that public policies can, and, if they can, that they should, be aimed at the promotion and expression of altruism rather than of self-interest, especially that of a mercenary sort. Reflections upon President Kennedy's proposition, introduced into the d…Read more
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33Risk, Russian-roulette and lotteries: Persson and Savulescu on moral enhancementMedicine, Health Care and Philosophy 16 (4): 877-884. 2013.The literature concerning the possibility and desirability of using new pharmacological and possible future genetic techniques to enhance human characteristics is well-established and the debates follow some well-known argumentative patterns. However, one argument in particular stands out and demands attention. This is the attempt to tie the moral necessity of moral enhancement to the hypothesised risks that allowing cognitive enhancement will bring. According to Persson and Savulescu, cognitive…Read more
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3Robert P. George and Christopher Tollefsen embryo: A defense of human life. Do ubleday publishers, 2008, 256 pages, $27.95, hb., isbn: 978-0-8 5-52282-3 (0-8 5-52282-7) (review)Human Reproduction and Genetic Ethics 15 (1): 40. 2010.