McGee, Glenn, and Arthur Caplan. “The Ethics and Politics of Small Sacrifices in Stem Cell Research.” The Stem Cell Contoversy: Debating the Issues. 2nd ed. Ed. by Michael Ruse and Christopher A Pynes. Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books, 2006. 162. Print.
This article first published in the Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal 9, (1999): 151-58, focuses on the idea that though pluripotent stem cell research may offer new treatments for hundreds of diseases, opponents to the research say that it comes at too high a price.
The argument is centered on the use of aborted fetuses from which embryonic stem cells were taken and used for research, as well as those embryos from fertilization clinics. This article shows very clearly the battles which brew among millions of American who favor stem cell research and millions who oppose the destruction of any fetus or embryo for any purpose.
Mapping Stem Cell Research, Terra Incognita. Dir. by Maria Finitzo, Documentary. Kartemquin Film Production, 2008. DVD.
This documentary centered on the work of Dr. Jack Kessler, M.D., a renowned stem cell expert and chair of neuology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. When his daughter experienced a skiing accident that left her paralyzed, his life’s work totally found new meaning. He now focuses his time and efforts in and out of his laboratory to finding a stem cell therapy that will regenerate spinal cord damage. The documentary portrays the religious controversial views against embryonic stem cell research as well as the scientific views. Basically his question throughout the film is, if one had the opportunity to heal a spinal cord injury—why would you not want to do such a thing?
Experiment Resources (2008). “Stem Cell Research - Pros and Cons.” Retrieved [Date of Retrieval] from Experiment Resources: http://www.experimentresources.com/stem-cell-pros-and-cons.html Web.
From this reference resource basic stem cell information has been gathered. Some of the subjects that are covered include, what stem cells are, and what different types of stem cells are being used for research. The reference also addresses the many different types of diseases and disabilities that are being looked at for potential treatments using stem cells, and the pros and cons concerning stem cell research and future application.
Baker, Monya. “Stick to the Guidelines and Fewer Get Hurt.” Nature Reports Stem Cells. 11 December, 2008. Published online, Web. http://www.nature.com/stemcells/2008/0812/081211/full/stemcells.2008.157.html
This article was written especially to warn those seeking stem cell therapy outside of the United States to beware of profit-hungry quacks who are exploiting patients and endangering clinical research by offering risky stem cell procedures. Many of these centers offer help for almost all serious ailments with the average cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has put together guidelines to help patients read about the types of regulations and considerations they should look for in a clinic. The safety levels of the procedures, how the cells to be administered have been manipulated, and whether the patient is receiving his own cells or donor cells. The ISSCR task force feels that the education and the safety of patient is of the utmost importance as they continue to work on this issue.
Tenenbaum, David. “The Cloning Conundrum.” The Science Behind the Why Files. Ed. by Terry Devitt. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Published online. 2010. Web. http://whyfiles.org/148clone_clash/4.html
This article debates the use of therapeutic cloning or somatic nuclear transfer. Many scientists feel that therapeutic cloning is a modern medical miracle and should be allowed to be researched. It’s ability to benefit an immense number of people through perfectly matched transplantation therapies and repairing damaged cells is overwhelming. The controversy is viewed by those who see it as disrupting human life by creating a prospective human life just to destroy it for research. They feel that it should be condemned on moral grounds. Others feel that if this type of cloning is allowed it would only be a matter of time that reproductive cloning would also be acceptable as part of research.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
