Introduction

There is evidence that religious beliefs strongly influence families’ treatment decisions about their loved ones, especially when difficult life-and-death choices must be made. This becomes important in the context of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) committed to family-centered care because families’ beliefs will influence their decision making. To assist NICU professionals, families, and students of bioethics, the chapters in this book seek to address the question, “What are the teachings of the world’s major religious traditions about the status and care of the newborn?” This introduction presents six “take-home” insights derived from the discussions that follow.