Abstract

The complexity of medical practice in general and of neurosurgery in particular has increased exponentially, together with the technical advance in medicine, during the last few decades. If the medical profession continues developing new medical opportunities in future, it also bears the responsibility for drawing up the ethical standards, so doctors can safely apply the new achievements to the benefit of their patients. In this volume, the different cultural, religious and moral backgrounds of medical ethics in east and west will be elucidated by experts in the field. A respectful understanding of each othera (TM)s conception and belief is a growing necessity in our multicultural world. Then, the ethical aspects of different fields of neurosurgery will be discussed. And finally, some contributions on how to educate moral behaviour will be presented. The book is intended to provide the reader with an ethical framework, which may help him to make sound decisions even in difficult or unusual circumstances.