The aim of this book is to bridge the theory and practice of international biomedical law by presenting the fundamental human rights issues in the field of biomedicine as well as the theoretical and practical and practical challenges of current global efforts to elaborate common standards in the realm.
Section 1 sets forth the pivotal issues in the field of biomedical human rights, including dignity, autonomy, privacy, genetic integrity, freedom of scientific inquiry and equitable access to health care benefits.
Sections 2 to 4 elaborate upon specific biomedical human rights issues that are the subject of contemporary international standard-setting efforts, including the human genome, cloning, and genetic data. Essays in each of these sections examine the extent to which promoting and protecting human rights has created a common framework for contemporary international lawmaking in the field of biomedicine and the strengths and limitations of international law as a tool for advancing biomedical human rights.