M Parker, Donna Dickenson. Cambridge University Press, 2001, £29.95, pp 359. ISBN 0521788633

This is very much a workbook rather than a conventional textbook in that it presents readers with cases and, through structured activities, aims to facilitate the understanding of key topics in medical ethics. As the authors state: “The workbook is intended to be both a coherent approach to medical ethics and also a toolkit of resources for teachers and lecturers”. The book is organised around themes, such as reproduction, genetic testing, medical research, and mental health. In their choice of topics the authors say they aim to focus more heavily on ordinary cases rather than “headline” issues so that the cases will be of relevance to health care professionals’ everyday practice. The chapters begin with the presentation of a case which is followed by commentaries and short articles elaborating on the issues raised. Activity boxes appear throughout the text to encourage the reader to critically engage with the cases and commentaries. The cases …