Examines the facts about the issue being covered, with information about arguments and opinions from around the globe. Special research projects, as well as a great variety of additional resources, invite the reader to engage with the issues that are currently shaping the world.

Examines some fundamental issues realted to euthanasia and the practice of assisted suicide. It explains euthanasia in its various forms, provides information on the "right-to-die movement," and explores some alternatives to euthanasia.--

The American Declaration of Independence notes that "all men are created equal," and many modern societies have tried to live up to this precept. Legislation has been passed in many countries that is intended to ensure equal opportunities for all, regardless of race or ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs, age, disability, or any other distinguishing characteristic. This book explores the fundamental questions related to discrimination, including...

The term "capital punishment" refers to the practice of putting a convicted person to death as the penalty for committing a serious crime. The question of whether countries should execute their most notorious criminals has sparked a huge amount of debate. This book examines some fundamental questions surrounding the issue of capital punishment today. It provides a historical overview of capital punishment, examines countries where the death penalty...

Genetic engineering involves the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. This allows modern scientists to shape characteristics of living things. This technology offers many positives, including the possibility of enabling people to live longer, or creating productive strains of grain or fruit that can feed greater numbers of people. However, some people are concerned about the Frankenstein-like...

Abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, usually done before the unborn fetus reaches a certain age. The topic of terminating a pregnancy has raised many passionate arguments over the years. This book examines some fundamental questions surrounding the issue of abortion today. It addresses the rights of women and the need to protect the helpless unborn, explores the debate over when life begins, and provides information on the...

Racism is a belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities that are specific to that race. This belief enables members of one race to distinguish themselves as superior to another race or races. Today, Racism affects the lives of millions of people in many different countries. This book discusses when and why racism began, explores how it feels to be a victim of racism, and suggests approaches for how society can tackle...

Human rights are often taken for granted, but across the world people are still denied many basic rights: to have a home, an education, to be treated with dignity and be free to express religious or political beliefs. This book asks the fundamental questions about human rights today, including: What exactly are human rights? Why can it be so difficult to put them into practice? How do human rights affect our everyday lives? What can we do to defend...