Inspiring a Medico-legal Revolution ― Essays in Honour of Sheila Mclean

This book marks the retirement of Professor Sheila McLean, whose contribution to the discipline of medical law has been truly ground breaking. As one of the pioneers of the discipline, Sheila McLean inspired a revolution in the ways in which lawyers, doctors, courts and patients perceive the relationship between medicine and the law. The first International Bar Association Professor of Law and Ethics in Medicine, she has worked tirelessly to champion the importance of lawa€?s role in regulating medicine and protecting patientsa€? rights. The span in content of this book reflects the range of contributions that Professor McLean has herself made. Her work gave direction and shape to a new field of study at a time when few questioned the authority of medicine or thought much about the plight of the patient. This collection brings together 21 leading scholars in healthcare law and ethics to honour the depth and significance of her contribution. Including authors from the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the contributions cover areas as diverse as start and end of life, reproductive rights and termination of pregnancy, autonomy of patients, the protection of vulnerable patient groups, and the challenges posed by new technologies.

Pamela Ferguson is Professor of Scots Law at the University of Dundee. Her research interests currently focus on criminal law and procedure, but within healthcare law she has had a particular focus on pharmaceutical products liability and clinical drug trials. Graeme Laurie is Professor of Medical Jurisprudence, and Founding Director of the JK Mason Institute for Medicine, Life Sciences and the Law, both at the University of Edinburgh. His research interests relate to the role of law in promoting and regulating medicine, science and technology.