Fall 2008 Bookshelf

The Morality of Embryo Use
Louis M. Guenin
Cambridge University Press
Is it permissible to use a human embryo in stem cell research or, in general, as a means for benefit of others? In his book, Louis Guenin, HMS lecturer on ethics in science in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, defines a set of embryos that he argues is morally permissible to use “in the service of humanitarian ends,” namely, donated embryos that the progenitors decide not to have implanted in the uterus. The book lays a foundation for consensus by presenting moral and metaphysical arguments, including placing those arguments within the context of the moral and religious views often used to oppose embryo research. The book also discusses nonreprocloning and reprocloning, suggested alternatives to embryo use, ectogenesis, and related scientific frontiers.

Joslin’s Diabetes Deskbook: A Guide for Primary Care Providers
Richard S. Beaser and the staff of Joslin Diabetes Center
Joslin Diabetes Center Publishing Department
Due in large part to changing lifestyles worldwide, diabetes, particularly type 2, is on its way to becoming a global epidemic. Most patients do not have access to specialized diabetes care, so management of the disease usually falls to the patient’s primary care physician. The second edition of the Diabetes Deskbook, written by Richard Beaser, HMS associate clinical professor of medicine at Joslin, and colleagues, serves as a guide to these caregivers and includes updated chapters on insulin treatment programs, nutrition and physical therapy, patient education, and issues related to age. The book also discusses the treatment of complications and commonly associated disorders, and the psychological issues that can arise when a patient is diagnosed with a chronic disease.

Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games
Lawrence Kutner and Cheryl K. Olson
Simon & Schuster
Do video games drive children and teenagers to real-life violence? Lawrence Kutner, HMS lecturer on psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Cheryl Olson, a clinical instructor in psychiatry at MGH, found that many assertions were being made about young people and video games, with little data to back them up. Cofounders of the HMS Center for Health and Media at MGH, Kutner and Olson set out to gather data in a way that few had done before: they talked to parents and their children. What they found was that video games, even violent ones, cannot be definitively labeled “good” or “bad,” but that the risks are more subtle and not always tied to violence or sex. The book offers an in-depth discussion of their multidisciplinary study and practical advice for parents.

Managing Relationships with Industry: A Physician’s Compliance Manual
Steven C. Schachter, William Mandell, Scott Harshbarger,
and Randall Grometstein
Academic Press
The relationships between physicians and pharmaceutical and device companies can be complicated and full of gray areas. While such relationships are often necessary and beneficial, physicians must be careful to stay within legal and ethical boundaries. Written by a former Massachusetts attorney general, a health care lawyer, an ethics professor, and HMS professor of neurobiology Steven Schachter, this book provides a comprehensive summary of the law and ethics regarding physician–industry relationships. Using specific examples, the authors provide an in-depth discussion into the potential problem areas, the different governing bodies and their requirements, and the creation of a compliance plan. The appendices include links to frequently cited documents and service agreement models.

Longitudinal Data Analysis
Garrett Fitzmaurice, Marie Davidian, Geert Verbeke, and Geert Molenberghs
CRC Press
Analyzing data from longitudinal studies has inherent complexities, such as having to account for missing data due to attrition, but over the past 20 years, many advances have been made in statistical methodology to help address some of these issues. This guide, co-authored by Garrett Fitzmaurice, HMS professor of psychiatry at McLean Hospital, attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest, state-of-the-art theory and applications of longitudinal data analysis. The book discusses parametric modeling, nonparametric and semiparametric methods, joint models, and handling incomplete data, accompanied by examples and case studies from many disciplines. The authors provide additional resources on the web.

Preventing Boundary Violations in Clinical Practice
Thomas G. Gutheil and Archie Brodsky
The Guilford Press
Although there are clear cases of boundary violation between clinician and patient, most are in a gray area. What do you do when you see a patient in a public place? What if a patient is dressed provocatively? In this book, directed at mental health practitioners but applicable to clinicians in any field, Thomas Gutheil, HMS professor of psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Archie Brodsky, a research associate in psychiatry at BID, discuss topics such as gifts, out-of-office encounters, and physical contact. The authors also address the harm that boundary violations can cause both the clinician and patient and the liabilities associated with these violations. The authors provide no strict answers but present the topics in a way that encourages reflection and the development of judgment.