Previous research on stem cell issue

Spring_2007_Research_Group_Pages

Topic Question

Should the United States government fund/permit embryonic stem cell research? (Alex W.)

Potential Arguments, Structures, and Sources

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Stem Cell Research Page

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Alfino 09:58, 22 March 2007 (PDT)

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Conservative/Religious (Against)

• proquest conservative (from Emily)

For some opponents of embryonic stem cell science, the argument is fundamentally one of faith: The human embryo should be held as sacrosanct, and not used for the pursuit of any ends, regardless of how nobly intended. The trouble for such dogmatic critics of embryonic stem cell research is that most Americans hold a less extreme position; given a choice between discarding frozen, excess embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics or allowing the cells to be used for medical research -- specifically, the generation of new embryonic stem cell lines -- most of us would choose the second. Consequently, conservative stem cell opponents have now begun to argue in earnest that embryonic stem cell research is not just morally wrong, but also unnecessary, an argument that relies on suspect science and appears motivated by even more questionable principles. Instead, there has been a concerted effort to establish adult stem cells as a palatable alternative to embryonic stem cells. In the process, conservatives seem to have left their usual concern for junk science at the laboratory door, citing in their defense preliminary studies and questionable data that they would surely -- and appropriately -- have ridiculed were it not supporting their current point of view. In fact, there is little credible evidence to suggest adult stem cells have the same therapeutic potential as embryonic stem cells. Conservatives often speak of the need to abide by difficult principle; acknowledging the limitations of adult stem cell research would seem like a good place to start. [[1]]

Bon (conservative - Academic Search Premier)

• 1. The Sanctity of Life

Foreign Policy; Sep/Oct2005 Issue 150, p40-41, 2p Predicts that the traditional view of the sanctity of human life will collapse under pressure from scientific, technological, and demographic developments by 2040. Role of conservatives and religious fundamentalists in defending a funding ban on creating new embryos for research in the U.S.; Report that South Korean researchers showed that human stem cells can be cloned; Claim that the cloning undermines the idea that embryos are precious because they have the potential to become human beings; Debate about the care of patients in a persistent vegetative state; Claim that the decision to terminate treatment will become less controversial as technology becomes more advanced; Discussion of euthanasia in the Netherlands and Belgium; Discussion of the ethics of the right to die. Here’s the link to the academic search premier site and then just click on PDF full text at the bottom. [[2]]

• 2. Go Gently into That Good Night.

Christianity Today, Jan2007, Vol. 51 Issue 1, p26-27, 2p; (AN 23567779) The article presents opinion on the use of human embryonic stem-cells in medical research. Believers in embryonic stem-cell research consider Christian conservatives as heartless claiming that the latter care little about alleviating suffering or forestalling death. Christian conservatives believe that the destruction of embryos is immoral. President's Council on Bioethics member Leon Kass cites the crusade of modern medical science against mortality. [[3]]

Liberal/Scientific (Supporting)

• Makes an argument for embryonic stem cell research, with comparisons to abortion. Note that unborn fetuses can resemble human beings, and their life is at stake for reasons not always life threatening to the mother. Claim that if you accept the theory that life begins at conception, and all human life has a unique right to life, then the life of the fetus is more important; Note that embryos are comprised of a few dozen cells with nothing humanlike about them, and multitudes of human lives could be saved from the success of stem cell research; Claim that opponents of embryonic stem cell research have no logical base, and are allowing politics to cloud their judgment.[[4]]

• Amanda (Proquest, liberal view)

'An Embryonic Nation' Xiangzhong Yang Nature; Mar 11, 2004; 428, 6979; Research Library pg. 210 Really strong article supporting stem cell research (embryonic as well as others). The article focuses on the fact that China (with a liberal attitude towards stem cell research) is poised to be the world's leader in this technology, but it has a lot of good information spread throughout. It might be helpful if you want to compare the United Sate's current policies with those of a more liberal country.[[5]]

• John Gearhart, a leading embryonic stem cell researcher, discusses the importance of this research. -Alex W. [[6]]

Political Issues/ Legal Battle

• proquest conservative (from emily)

A blastocyst is an early stage in embryonic development. For that reason, other people regard the deliberate destruction of human blastocysts as wrong. Those who cleave to the latter view include many conservative American politicians. obtaining embryonic stem cells means destroying blastocysts, and an American law passed in 1996 forbids the use of federal-government money for research that requires such destruction. On August 9th 2001 George Bush decreed that no federal money could be spent on research on embryonic stem-cell cultures (known as "lines") created after that date. Last month, he vetoed a congressional bill to allow the financing of such research. But researchers at the laboratories of Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, Massachusetts, think they have discovered a way out of this problem. A paper just published in the online edition of Nature by five of the firm's scientists describes a technique that might allow the creation of new embryonic stem-cell lines without destroying the embryo they are derived from. The technique is derived from a procedure already used during in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Alta Charo, a legal expert at the University of Wisconsin, believes that ACT's new technique might get round the original congressional law but still fall foul of Bush's decree.[[7]]

• This site contains information and the exact terms of Propostiton 71 that was voted in by the California election. The terms of this included allowing certain types of stem cell harvesting as well as a 3 billion dollar grant to fund research. This shows where the use of stem cells stands at this moment. -Erin [[8]]

• This is a great outline of Prop. 71 -Erin [[9]]

• This speech, given by President Bush in August 2001, addresses why he opposes embryonic stem cell research. This is an excellent source if you need direct political sources! -Alex [[10]]

• This is another good website to help us understand what the government has/has not done for embryonic stem cell research. It states the President's decision (based on ethical rationales) and about private funding of this research. -Alex [[11]]

• Some other legal issues. This article also includes some legal background, including President Bush's announcement to fund "limited" research. -Bon [[12]]

Facts about Stem Cells

• This is a general scientific overveiw and definition of Stem Cells. It is very important to understand the cell and the scientific process of stem cell use to truley and acutratly form an opinion about the cells and the process themselves. -Erin [[13]]

• This outlines the structure, growth capabilities and structure of stem cells. -Erin [[14]]

• This site explains the difference between Es cells and Eg cells. This is important to know due to the common misconception pertaining ot stem cells directly relates to the misunderstanding of the stem cells reasearch process, because people do not understand that there are many different forms of stem cells rather than just embryonic cells, which presents many of the religious issues and opposition toward these scientific break throughs. -Erin [[15]]

Future of Stem Cell Research

• Alyssa-

Focuses on different aspects involved in the stem-cell research in the U.S. Research by two biologists John Gearhart of Johns Hopkins University, and James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin; Importance of stem cells in biology; Prior research; Benefits of research if stem cells can be converted into regular cells; Controversial use of fetuses and unwanted embryos for research; Legal aspects involved in the research; Expectations from the research; Ethical issues related with the research; Issue of allocating public fund for stem cells research; Question whether life begins at the moment sperm meets egg as believed by Catholics and Islamic scholars; Possibility of finding stem cells in adults; Research on human cloning.[[16]]

• From Alex W.

This article discusses how American scientists have begun to travel to Singapore to further their research about stem cells. Singapore is now a hub for frustrated US scientists--its government provides funds for this time of biological research. This article includes direct quotes from doctors regarding their opinions about Singapore as an important center for furthering stem cell research. [[17]]