The difficulties surrounding the study of abortion have only increased with the dramatic rise over the past decade in the number of procedures performed in clinics, where follow-up of patients is minimal or non-existent. Nonetheless, what research there is, shows that abortion is the source of serious physical and psychological problems for a significant number of women.

One thing is certain: the issue is not going to go away. Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: The Current Debate is a an important and timely overview of the problems of palliative care of the terminally ill, assisted suicide, euthanasia, and the law, written by major Canadian contributors, including: Ian Hunter, Ian Gentles, Dr. John Scott, and Robert Nadeau. This will form an essential part of any collection on bioethics and contemporary legal and social issues.

An original research study documenting significant aspects of unplanned crisis pregnancies that ended in single parenting by the mother. A wide range of Canadian women, as well as service agencies, were surveyed. This work looks at important components in the single mothers' lives, including their support network of family and friends, and the role of the baby's father, and examines the decision-making process in these women's lives and determining factors.

The results of the research were sometimes surprising. Very few of the mothers felt they needed more government programs for housing and day care and most were not dependent on welfare. However, a significant percentage identified prejudice against single mothers as a problem, and a long-term concern in their lives.

This report is formed out of the words of these women and the agencies that serve them and will be of great interest to anyone personally or professionally connected to single mothers.

The great abortion debate in Canada has often produced more smoke than fire, with pro-abortion and anti-abortion forces lobbing ideological epitithets at each other without adequately clearing the ground for responsible discussion.

Nevertheless, because the abortion issue is at the heart of our view of life and hopes for society, the best minds on both sides have been developing more sophisticated thinking and writing. Here, argued clearly and dispassionately, are essays on women, abortion and human rights. Eminent scholars and doctors George Grant, Samuel and Janet Ajzenstat, Heather Morris, Ian Hunter, Ian Gentles, Denyse O'Leary and others review the ideological issues and examine the medical implications and consequences of abortion. They also critique the legal decisions that made Canada unique in placing no restrictions on abortion.