This book consists of papers presented at the 2003 International Conference of the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics on Cooperation in evil and conscientious objection.

These issues are highly pertinent: if Michael Cashman MEP of the Gay and Lesbian Humanists and the egregious Frances Kissling of the anti- Catholic "Catholics For A Free Choice" have their way, Pro-life doctors would be required to cooperate in abortion against their conscience. As a junior doctor, the issue of cooperation in evil was an area that troubled me greatly.

Doctor Charlie O'Donnell has written an excellent "how to survive" guide for Pro-life medical students. It is by far the clearest and most practical guide I have read on the subject and it ought to be read by all Pro-life students.

In a similar vein, Doctor Mike Delany has written a useful chapter on the problems of cooperation in evil in General Practice. The questions covered include how one ought to deal with issues of abortion, contraception and infertility problems in unmarried couples.

Professor Luke Gormally and Bishop Anthony Fisher have written helpful chapters on the general philosophical issues involved in the ethics of cooperation. Gormally offers a critique of the Utilitarian argument that it is sometimes right to intentionally cooperate in wrongdoing. Bishop Fisher makes a powerful case against the casuist concerns of Fr. James Keenan and others who accuse "conservatives" of making Catholic moral tradition seem "inhuman, restrictive and useless."

Other chapters are on the ethics of using foetal cells in treatment and research and on cooperation problems in cases of suicidal patients.

Are there problems of principle in voting for unjust legislation when it comes to abortion? Collin Harte and Professor John Finnis put forward their different views on this important matter.

This book will be of great help to priests, to those interested in the field of medical ethics and to clinicians determined to do good and avoid evil.

Dr Pravin Thevathasan.

Theotokos Catholic Books - Book Reviews Section - www.theotokos.org.uk