On the threshold of the 21st century, rapid scientific and technological advances in medicine have enabled modern civilization to make enormous strides forward: many serious diseases have been eradicated, the terrible epidemics of the past have been stamped out, surgery, with the help of highly sophisticated techniques, now makes it possible to heal once incurable diseases and to improve the quality of life for many sick people. But at the same time, man has been experiencing increasingly widespread and worrisome "suffering of the soul." Indeed, rapid changes require engagement that undermines our spiritual energy, causing mental disorders and depression. A Buddhist philosopher, a biologist and a bioethics specialist seek common ground to address the major issues that the new millennium has brought with it: in vitro fertilization, the fight against cancer and AIDS, euthanasia, the doctor-patient relationship, and bioethics. This book provides insights, viewpoints and reflections on the challenge of being human today. The more feeble our contact with nature and interiority becomes, the more distant the goal of every human being -- happiness -- becomes. What we can hope for - this is the authors' thesis - is that science and spirituality will harmonize having Man, and his well-being, as the only end.
René Simard
Former dean of the University of Montreal, a molecular biologist, he is a renowned authority in the field of cancer research.
Guy Bourgeault
He is a professor at the University of Montreal in the area of bioethics research and cultural education.
