In collaboration with University of Wisconsin physician-scientists, Thomson has subsequently demonstrated the developmental potential of human embryonic stem cells in lineage-specific differentiation, such as blood, trophoblast, neural tissue and heart (James). Currently his focus is directed on understanding how embryonic stem cells can "form any cell in the body, how an ES cell chooses between self-renewal and the initial decision to differentiate, and how a differentiated cell with limited developmental potential can be reprogrammed to a pluripotent cell" (James).
Also of concern are issues of privacy and confidentiality. A woman donating her embryo or fetus to research may fear that the DNA that could exist indefinitely in these sources might one day be traced back to her, thereby revealing her identity and her association with the fertility clinic (Young). For example, if the fetus is obtained via an abortion, whether it can be genetically traced back to the donor plays a critical role in a woman's decision of whether or not to donate to research (Young). She might fear that the results of genetic tests could somehow be traced to her, and that such information might find its way to her employer or insurer (Young). The issues of privacy and confidentiality can create quite a dilemma. For example, doctors much now consider a woman's right 'not to know' any diseases or illnesses she might potentially develop or pass on to her children. This problem can be solved by researchers and doctors obtaining a donor's informed consent and "taking particular care to inform the donor of any potential privacy risks" (Young). Yet, informed consent comes with it own set ethical problems. For example, some lawmakers suggest that consent be obtained from at least three separate sources: the mother, father and any recipient of stem cell products (Young). Others debate over the definition of 'informed' and how much information should be given to either party.
In August 2001, President Bush decided to allow funding for research on stem cell lines that were already in existence as of August 9, 2001, and required that lines must have been derived "with the informed consent of the donors; from excess embryos created solely for reproductive purposes; and without any financial inducements to the donors" (Stevens). In other words, federal government will fund research using existing qualified embryonic stem cell lines, but will not fund the creation of new stem cell lines or any research performed on those lines (Stevens). Furthermore, the federal government has also agreed to fund research on "umbilical cord, placenta, adult, and animal stem cells"...
A pre-embryo is the fertilized cell that has not yet been planted into the human host. Once the pre-embryo is implanted into the female host, it is assumed that it will grow and develop into a human being. The pre-embryo is not the same as the embryo, it is simply the raw material. A national bioethics committee has been assigned the duty of exploring these issues and making recommendations that
This is why it came as no surprise to the rest of the country when Proposition 71 was passed, in direct opposition to the policies of the Bush administration. Even California's governor, a Republican and Bush supporter, sided with Californians on the stem cell issue. The promise of freedom to research as they see fit and the funding to do so will likely draw more scientists to California, should
Stem Cell Research Should Have More Government Funding The topic argument "Stem cell research government funding." For paper, construct argument defending a claim policy. Remember argument based a claim policy, writer seeks solve a problem establish a problem exists, part argument entail claims fact Stem cell research should have more government funding A stem cell can be defined as type of cell that can be found in many body tissues. Stem cells can
but, Cuomo continued, Bush's position "…remains a minority view" (Hurlbut, 822). Christine Todd Whitman, who served Bush as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in Bush's first term (she served from January 2001 to May 2003), and was the first female governor of New Jersey, supported embryonic stem cell research. Whitman noted in her book that right after Bush was re-elected in 2004, Christian conservative organizer Phil Burress was heard
At this point it should be clear that there are no good reasons to oppose the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research and only good reasons for supporting. Opposition to the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research can only be justified by an appeal to unreasonable and arbitrary moral standards based not on logic, reason, or concern for human well-being, but rather on the dictates of outdated and
Stem Cell Research The Legal Argument and Analysis for Stem Cell Research Stem cell research is a new field of research that brings many ethical issues and considerations in which U.S. regulations have been mostly hostile while around the world, the response toward the research has been positive. What is the legal culture in which the U.S. finds itself regarding stem cell research? What are the ethical considerations involving our participation in
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