Question

"Stem cells are undifferentiated, primitive cells with the ability both to multiply and to differentiate into specific kinds of cells. Stem cells hold the promise of allowing researchers to grow specialized cells or tissue, which could be used to treat injuries or disease (e.g., spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, strokes, burns)." (Slevin, 2010)

Choose ONE of the following issues and post to its thread with supporting evidence.

1. Discuss what you feel are the potential benefits of stem cell research for Alzheimer's patients and their families.

2. Share your perspective on the stem cell debate regarding donation of surplus embryos to couples for “embryo adoption.”

3. Why is the task of disposing unused frozen human embryos different from disposing of other medical tissue?

4. Discuss why you think embryonic stem cell research “crosses a moral boundary.”

please site references if used any

Answer 1

Ans) 1) In the healthy brain, neurotrophins support the growth and survival of neurons, but in Alzheimer's patients neurotrophin production is low. Many scientists believe that Alzheimer's patients will benefit from stem cells in a different way before the development of potential cell transplantation therapies.

- Stem cell therapy is an expanding area of research that holds vast potential for treating a variety of illnesses such as neurodegenerative disorders. Up to date, stem cell technology is only at its developmental stages but rapid developments and advances indicate its potential uses in direct as well as indirect treatments of AD. Combined with the knowledge from past decades of research on AD, stem cell therapy is a prospective next generation treatment for AD.

2) It seems that in countries where egg donation and donor compensation is accepted, embryo donation from fertile donors may also be acceptable. It is important to note that placing fertile people at medical risk can only be acceptable in the absence of another alternative. Thus, when there are numerous frozen embryos ready for donation it is not justifiable to place people at risk just for embryo donation. More detailed legislation should be created and added to the current embryo donation law with the purpose of protecting infertile families and alleviating their problems..

3) In general, their options include having embryos discarded, donating them for research or donating them to another couple for fertility treatment.

- Whether the unused embryos are disposed of at the clinic or given over to you for burial, you may hold a ceremony or self-created ritual to mark the passing of the embryos. Another option offered by some clinics involves transferring the embryos to your uterus at a time in your cycle when pregnancy is impossible.

4)

George W Bush has vetoed a bill which would have lifted a ban on federal funding for new embryonic stem cell research.

- He is quoted as saying "It crosses a moral boundary that our decent society needs to respect, so I vetoed it,".

- The setting in which he announced the veto, surrounded by "snowflake babies", was quite sickeningly contrived.

- The veto comes despite polls suggest that most Americans back the research, which scientists hope will lead to cures for serious illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

- What is much more interesting for me is his words, suggesting that there is a "moral boundary" that exists with him - and fellow Christian Fundamentalists - on the side of "good" and a majority of American citizens on the other.

- From my perspective, I needed no proof that he is a dangerous religious nutter, but, regardless of whether you believe that stem cell research is moral or not, do you feel that it is appropriate for your President to so define morality - and immorality.