Looking at medical ethics in the twentieth century, this book examines attitudes towards patients' rights and the pharmaceutical industry. It discusses the issues that have divided society over the past 100 years such as the treatment of mental illness, contraception, abortion, euthanasia, genetic research and cloning. It is one of a series which considers some of the major social concerns of the past hundred years, and how attitudes have changed between 1900 and today. Each subject is examined within a global context and is illustrated with contemprary quotes from personalities and witnesses. The book highlights historic events that marked or caused important shifts in the attitudes of society as a whole.