This is the only book of its kind-- it is a medical ethics book directed squarely at the lay audience of patients and their families who are confronted by highly complex and difficult medical procedures and issues, such as transplantation or life and death decisions. The current books in the marketplace are for the most part written for medical professionals, academics, or students. This book is meant as a handbook for patients, families and caretakers. Its topics spread across a broad range of medical concerns that are of interest to millions of Americans who are dealing with these issues on a daily basis. Written by two of America's premier experts on medical ethics, this book presents real-life examples of medical situations and provides clarity and insight to them. This is a book that will be of significant value to all patients and families confronting the medical world, but also to medical professionals who work with the public on a daily basis and deal with medical ethics as part of their everyday jobs.