Who Lives? Who Dies?: Ethical Criteria in Patient Selection

Professor of medical ethics at the University of Kentucky, Kilner here examines criteria that confront physicians in selecting which patients would benefit most from limited resources of breakthrough technology and drugs. Included in the book are the author's surveys in the U.S. and Kenya considering medical, social and financial factors such as age, sex, patient benefits and wishes, along with value to society of medical research. Citing justification and weaknesses of 16 established criteria, Kilner proposes a seven-part patient-selection guideline, including a form of random selection. Written in nontechnical language, this study of a complex and essential subject should be helpful to those faced with this ethical dilemma. (Mar.)