...Ethics and Opposition Ethics and Opposition of Stem Cell Research Biology 103 E803 Ethics and Opposition of Stem Cell Research The world of stem cell research can offer an immeasurable amount of possible medical marvels. It also comes with a myriad of controversies. Like where would we get embryonic stem cells, what would be done with it, and when are they considered human? The battle lines are drawn but the war is far from over. Backers for the research are starting to grow. I would like to delve into the ethics that should be in place if this research becomes a stable infrastructure of medical practice. Also, I will go into handling opposition concerning this research potential. First let us see what ethical issues that would arise in this probable world or research. In an article by Anne McLaren, she stated that there would be three different ethical issues that would arise: personal ethics, research ethics, and social ethics. In the realm of personal ethics it would deal with personal morality, dishonesty, irresponsibility, and failure to observe good practice (McLaren, 2007). Meaning there are two very important things that have to be considered by the person before continuing with the research. Is it for personal gain either financially or professionally or is it for the patient’s needs. Both of which are very important for every doctor around the world, and which some lost sight of. The second ethical problem is research ethics, which deals with the...
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...Jacob Byers Prof. Carver W131 29 Sept. 2013 A Question of Ethics: Egg Harvesting for Stem Cell Research Stem cell research brings to mind cloning, treatments for disease, and other positive things. What you don’t think about are the women affected through the harvesting of the embryotic eggs required to conduct this research. Dr. Diane Beeson’s article “Egg Harvesting for Stem Cell Research: Medical Risks and Ethical Problems” illustrates the issues of short and long-term effects of ovarian stimulation, risks to offspring, and the exploitation of women. She uses this information to develop an argument against the use of unauthorized and unstudied drugs and the misleading language used to exploit young women. She establishes credibility by using statistics and plays on a sensitive issue by bringing up risks to offspring to develop her argument. Medical treatments developed from stem cell research range from cancer treatments to replacing damaged brain cells. Though these seem to outweigh any of the negative side effects, those abnormalities caused from ovarian stimulation can directly affect the reproductive capabilities of many females. Dr. Beeson explains the most serious and immediate short-term effect is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The symptoms of mild cases of OHSS range from nausea to abdominal distention, respiratory difficulty, and other abnormalities (Beeson and Lippman). More severe cases are ‘by no means rare’ according to the American Society...
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...CLAIM: President Bush’s veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in July of 2006 was a proportional reaction to the expanding influence of conservative political ideology and religious fundamentalism throughout America. VARIABLES: My independent variables are conservative political ideology and religious fundamentalism. My dependant variable is President Bush’s 2006 veto of the Stem Cell Enhancement Act, also known as the H.R. 810 Bill. EXPECTATIONS: I expect to find overwhelming and convincing evidence to corroborate my assertion that the expanding influence of conservative political ideology and religious fundamentalism in America are the two most profound independent variables to affect President Bush’s 2006 veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. I also expect to obtain convincing evidence that political conservatism and religiosity have an interactive effect on the public attitude towards stem cell research which directly influences federal policy concerning this controversial issue. It is my contention that the preponderance of evidence will confirm my theory that as the level of conservatism and religious zeal rises; the public support and enthusiasm for stem cell research will wane proportionally, resulting in federal policies that continue to be restrictive and obtuse. EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THE CLAIM: With the advent of technology and subsequent advances in human stem cell research, the scientific and medical communities were inspired...
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...world in science and technology. American technology has produced advances in many areas of medicine. As this medical research continues, there has controversy between advancing medicine through testing and preserving life. In the United States and around the world, there have been debates and laws created which demonstrate the controversy in stem cell research. One of the main debates is that stem research can be used to discover cures for illness. Many experts believe stem cell research can be used to help against diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer (Lacayo, 2001). However, many people worry that stem cell research will be used for unethical purposes such as human cloning. They also argue that money from the government should not be used to destroy a human embryo. In the United States and around the world there have been many laws regarding stem cell research. President Bush was the first President that made funds available for stem cell research. (Bush, 2007). According to the National Institute of Health, a government biomedical research organization, President George W Bush announced in August, 2001 a policy which advances stem cell research. Federal funds may be used for research on human embryonic stem cells if the following three requirements are met: 1) the destruction of the embryo must be prior to August 9, 2001, 2) stem cells were removed from embryo for the purpose of reproduction, which “was no longer needed.” 3) the donor had informed consent...
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...Ethical Issue of Stem Cell Research Shawn Black PHI 107 Professor Joseph Scahill November 14, 2008 Stem cell the new frontier of medical break through poses an important ethical dilemma for humanity do we support the destruction of embryos to further science or do we support the protection of embryos. We are faced with a critical decision to protect embryos from being a part of a science experiment or do we think that it is ethical to kill a few embryos in the name of science. I will discuss the pros and cons of stem cell research. I will discuss the positive outcomes associated with stem cell research from a medical aspect and the negative outcomes from a biological aspect. I will also argue for stem cell research and against stem cell research. What is Stem Cell Research? Stem cell research is the use of cells retrieved from embryos which are capable of becoming all or many of the 210 different types of tissues in the human body. Stem cells have traditionally been defined as not fully differentiated cells or tissue types. The use of these undifferentiated cells or tissues is used to replicate cells in the human body. These cells are from embryos fertilized between days 5-7 of human development. The cells are then retrieved from the embryo and used by researchers to replenish dying or damaged cells in the body. These cells show great promise to help solve medical illnesses and diseases. The argument we face with this type of research is the use of...
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...IS STEM CELL RESEARCH ETHICAL? Is Stem Cell Research Ethical? Devry University ENGL 135: Advanced Composition Fall Session B 2011 Is Stem Cell Research Ethical? For about a decade now, stem cell research has been heavily debated across a wide continuum of people who have a stake in this argument whether it is for personal and/or professional reasons. One of the main reasons for this debate stems from the deeply underlying ethics that lie beneath this issue. To some people with religious and politically conservative convictions stem cell research is sometimes described as an act against God; therefore, the question of whether stem cell research is ethical or not becomes highly relevant and debatable (as well as also being highly charged) these days. However, when viewed from a different (and perhaps rational) lens other than a religious one, stem cell research could also be thought of as a miracle treatment. The reasoning in which it is known as a miracle treatment is simple because it would help end some people’s unnecessary pain and suffering. With this research they are finding that stem cells could help those who are struck with diseases such as lupus, arthritis, breast cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and even diabetes, along with the most traumatic medical conditions as well such as a spinal cord injury. These days there are several topics that no one likes to talk about, unless these topics are extremely close to the person that they are discussing...
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...Jody Vaughn Research Draft Since the discovery of stem cell therapy, it has been a controversial topic of long debate of moral ethics and politically. The discovery of stem cells and their ability to generate new cells began in the 1800’s. Today the topic of research therapy makes headlines with its controversy with the use of embryonic stem cells. Historically stem cell research includes plant, animals and human stem cells but today the prominent use of stem cells in humans is bone marrow transplant. This has become a simple one day medical procedure that is one of a lesser debate. Complete strangers can now simply be tested for a compatible match to an awaiting recipient. This type of success has brought stem cell to the forefront of medical researches discovery of other stem cell therapies that are futuristic in nature and have the possible to cure devastating disease and injuries that would otherwise leave someone completely debilitated or worse. Stem cell therapy is on the verge of being a revolutionary medical advancement in history. The discovery that stem cells could generate new healthy cells in the 1800’s had revolutionized the medical profession. Blood marrow transplant are the front runner of the success that stem cells can produce. This is the prominent force that guides researcher to believe that stem cells can be a cure for many diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, immune deficiency disease, certain types of leukemia’s, severe blood disorders and traumatic...
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...Experimentation Critique Stem Cells Abstract According to human guidelines, human stem cell research is questionable. The main ethical dilemma revolves around whether or not an embryo is a human being of a cluster of cells. Stem cell research has the ability to provide treatment for many of today’s incurable diseases and disorders, and it is apparent this type of research produces many ethical issues in which one can consider both positive and negative for such research. Experimentation Critique Introduction Stem cell research is a modern method of discovering new medical break throughs. Research is involoved, using human embryos, causing heated moral debates. Human –nature and goal-based ethics theories apply to this controversial debate. The debate lies in the determionation of the embryos with moral status is owed. There has been extensive research in the underlying law and religious ethics surrounding the use of embryos for medical reasons. Discussed, is the debate, controversy, and opinion of government officials, in relation to the ethics involving stem cell research. Issues/Conflict Stem cell research proposes many ethical issues. The basis of this issue is that embryonic stem cells research holds such vast promise for so many people but obtaining the cell means destroying embryos. The ethical conflict brought on by stem cells means destroying embryos. The ethical conflict brought on by stem cell research is whether or not it is acceptable by social standards...
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...A Pluripotent Challenge Recent advances in human stem cell research have generated enormous enthusiasm on the part of researchers and optimistic predictions of revolutionary advances in biomedicine. These same advances have also sparked considerable ethical debate. The main ethical challenges associated with stem cell research have to do with the source of those cells. Although some advances have been made in the use of adult stem cells, the consensus seems to be that the most promising categories of stem cells are embryonic stem (ES) cells (derived from the five- to seven-day-old embryos known as blastocysts) and embryonic germ (EG) cells, derived from immature aborted fetuses. In fact, there are four main sources of (non-adult) stem cells, and each presents its own challenging ethical issues. The first such source (of ES cells) is the surplus embryos that are a by-product of the activities of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) labs. One ethical concern here has to do with the status of the embryo itself. The degree of respect that ought to be granted to a human embryo is highly controversial. Some hold that the embryo - genetically human and a potential person - deserves our full respect and protection. Others hold that while the embryo may be genetically human, it has (particularly at early stages) none of the characteristics of persons. It is not conscious; it is not self-aware. It is a cluster of cells with no independent ethical status. Still others hold an in-between view, arguing...
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...of genetic engineering while others believe the process is unethical and should be banned as they claim scientists are ‘playing god’. Ethics is the philosophical study of what is morally right or wrong. It is a system of moral principles. They affect how people make decisions and lead their lives. Philosophers tend to divide ethical theories into three areas; meta-ethics, normative ethics and applied ethics. This was first done by David Hume the philosopher who argued how we should look at ethical situations. “Meta-ethics looks at the meaning of language used in ethics, and raises questions about truth. Normative ethics tries to find practical moral standards that we can all live our lives by. These are also called ethical theories. Applied ethics is the application of theories about whether something is right or wrong in specific issues.” Distance Learning Centre, Ethics Pack, 2012. In the 1960’s a professor, Joseph Fletcher founded the theory Situation Ethics. In Situation Ethics right and wrong depend on the situation. There are no universal moral rules or rights, each case is unique and deserves a unique solution. “Situation Ethics is all about agape or love. You should always do the most loving thing” Distance Learning Centre, Ethics Pack, 2012. There are four working principles that Fletcher makes before setting out the situational ethics theory. Pragmatism is the course of action must be practical and work. Relativism is when all decisions must be relative to agape and...
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...Business Research Ethics RES/351 August 12, 2013 Stem Cell and Human Cloning Research and Ethics Questions about ethics in research have increased and unethical issues rise from different fields such as Medicine and Science. When the discussion about stem cell and human cloning researches rise for the meaning, “what is life?” the question is simple, but the answer is still unclear. This paper is an overview of the articles about stem cell and human cloning researches that discuss business research ethics and involves ethical and unethical issues. A stem cell is a type of cell found into the body of all human beings, has the capability to reproduce them, and to produce other types of cells such as brain cells, muscle cells, and others. In the New York Times’ article is very clear that the ongoing battle to make this research valid is relentless. This research can be the potential that holds for the future generation and scientists affirms; “stem cells may be used to replace or repair damaged cells, and have the potential to drastically change the treatment of conditions like cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and even paralysis.” (Harris, 2012) However, opponents of embryonic stem cell want the research to be restricted or prohibited entire as inhumane because most researches are done by creating embryonic stem cell from fertilized cells. When the approach is human cloning there is no difference, opponents to the research claim that it is immoral and unethical...
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...crossover into popular discourse. Stem Cell research is one of the most highly debated issues. According to the online textbook, a stem cell can be defined as “A cell that can specialize into a wide variety of cells if the body needs to replace a damaged or dead cell. Since these cells can develop into many other types of tissues they can be used to repair damaged tissues in adults. (Troyan, 2)” It is quite obvious to see the potential benefits that may be gained from stem cell research. The idea that scientists might be able to someday grow fully functioning organs out a couple of stem cells is extremely exciting. It can also be argued that many positives can be extrapolated out of this new field of scientific research. According to Pathologist Michael Shelanski, stem cells hold the most promise in curing the following; “Cancer, by regenerating blood cells, Parkinson's disease, to replace the damaged nerve cells, and heart disease, to replace the damaged heart tissue.” Also found in the article is the fact that stem cell research already has a foundation based from animal stem cell research. However, the fact that many religious institutions have decided to enter into the discourse has turned the future of stem cell research into a popular referendum. Religious institutions have decided to enter the realm of science once again to contest things up because they take issue with the ethics surrounding the procurement and development of stem...
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...An understanding of the types, characteristics, and important benefits of stem cells Aids in understanding the ethical and social considerations of this controversy. There are Two main types of stem cells. One type, embryonic, uses the undifferentiated cells of an Early human embryo to create any new, specialized type of cell (Brignier and Gewirtz S337). Embryonic stem cells are very useful for cell based therapies because they can Develop into more than 220 cell types that are found in an adult, and they have the ability To reproduce in large numbers. They are capable of almost unlimited cell divisions when Placed in culture. This makes embryonic stem cells very flexible and versatile. Using Stem cells to learn about the ways that these cells differentiate, grow, and renew will also Have profound results in the study and cure of cancers, birth defects, diabetes, and spinal cord Injuries, and other diseases caused by dysfunctional cell replication. Research on 3 Embryonic stem cells can also improve drug safety, as a drug can be tested on a stem cell Line before use in a patient (Louis 2009). The embryonic stem cells are extracted from The inner cell mass during the early blastocyst phase of embryonic development. After an Egg is fertilized, generally during in vitro in the laboratory, it begins dividing. The Blastocyst is a hollow ball of about 150 cells. The inner cell mass are the cells located in The inner part of the ball, and once extracted, the embryo is no longer viable...
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...Hyderabad (IMT,HYD), 2015 9-109-017 REV: FEBRUARY 18, 2009 ROBERT SIMONS KATHRYN ROSENBERG NATALIE KINDRED Sydney IVF: Stem Cell Research At Sydney IVF we absolutely respect your beliefs. Because of this, we have taken the care to devise acceptable assisted conception programs for virtually all faiths—Christianity (including the Brethren), Islam, Judaism (including supervised kosher treatment cycles), Hinduism, and Buddhism. We guarantee that your eggs and your sperm will never be used in a way that you have not explicitly or implicitly consented to. — (Sydney IVF website) This case study describes the strategy implementation choices made by executives at Sydney IVF Limited: an Australian business that tested and performed research using human embryos derived from in vitro fertilization. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was a process that allowed human eggs to be fertilized outside a woman’s womb. In a typical IVF cycle, a woman’s ovaries were stimulated with fertility drugs to encourage the production of anywhere from 3 to 30 eggs. These eggs were then retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a glass test tube or petri dish—hence the Latin term in vitro, which means “in glass.” The fertilized eggs grew in a specialized culture medium (a nutrient-rich salt solution) for several days. The resulting embryos—clusters of cells that form after an egg is fertilized—were then transferred back to the woman’s uterus with the hope of achieving pregnancy ...
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...Research paper on Stem Cell Research Legislation and the related legal issues: What is the history of Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States? How does it compare to comparable statutes in the rest of the world? In this paper talk about what the current legislative state of affairs is and where the law on stem cells in the United States should go in the future and why. Make sure you use ample research and cited sources to support your arguments but make sure to state your own opinion on the issues as well. Stem Cell Research TJ AS OF: 2/4/2009--Introduced. Stem Cell Research Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) prior to donation, it was determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) the individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and received no financial or other inducements. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of...
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