Criminalising Contagion: Legal and Ethical Challenges of Disease Transmission and the Criminal Law

Cambridge Bioethics and Law

by Catherine Stanton (Editor), Hannah Quirk (Editor)

The use of the criminal law to punish those who transmit disease is a topical and controversial issue. To date, the law, and the related academic literature, has largely focused on HIV transmission. With contributions from leading practitioners and international scholars from a variety of disciplines, this volume explores the broader question of if and when it is appropriate to criminalise the transmission of contagion. The scope and application of the laws in jurisdictions such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Norway are considered, historical comparisons are examined, and options for the further development of the law are proposed.

262 pages, Hardcover

Published June 9, 2016

Reviews

[Paul Kidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent if variable collection of useful essays on the legal and ethical questions raised by the criminalisation of disease transmission. Essential reading for those working in that area, and of great use to anyone with an interest in criminal law.