In this issue of Anesthesiology Clinics, guest editors Drs. Neal H. Cohen and Gail van Norman bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Ethical Approaches to the Practice of Anesthesiology - Part 1: Overview of Ethics in Clinical Care: History and Evolution. In this first of a two-part series, top experts discuss topics such as the role of advance directives and living wills on anesthesia practice; preoperative care of the patient with DNR orders; end-of-life care: withdrawing/withholding support; brain death: medical, ethical, cultural, legal aspects; ethics consult in anesthesia practice; and more. Contains 14 relevant, practice-oriented topics including maternal-fetal conflicts in anesthesia practice; ethical care of pregnant patients for non-obstetrical surgery and during labor and delivery; caring for the patients whose personal/religious/cultural beliefs impact clinical management strategies; approaching the patient when a medical error occurs; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on ethical approaches to the practice of anesthesiology, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.