Mr. and Ms. Ivyeffer
You will answer the following questions playing the role of a family who has gone through the IVF process and is done completing their family. They have four children ( a set of twins and 2 younger siblings) and definitely do not want any more children. This couple has 8 frozen embryos and they need to decide the fate of these embryos. They have just received a bill from their fertility clinic for the yearly "frozen embryo fee"of $800. They are tight on money since Mr. Ivyeffer has lost his job. They have been paying this fee each year for 4 years and feel as though they need to make a decision. Your group will answer the following questions playing the role of Mr. and Ms. Ivyeffer, a couple that must decide the fate of these frozen embryos. You will use the answers to these questions to formulate your 3-5 minute presentation. Remember, as a family, you may not all completely agree on what should be done.
At the end of your presentation, it should be clear at the end where you group "stands" on the "Big Question".
1. Research and explain briefly two current research studies or clinical trials involving stem cells. It might be helpful to make a chart to organize your response...summarize the type of stem cell used, the general nature of the experiment or research, and the outcome of the experiment. ( Hint: Use trials and research resources page)
2. Describe the process of in-vitro fertilization in detail. How are frozen embryos created from this process?
3. What are all the possible options that can be done with frozen embryos when a couple has them leftover from IVF?
4. Research and identify two embryo adoption programs. Sumarize your research about each.........(How does the process work? How many families have adopted frozen embryos ? How many children have been born via embryo adoption? ) Make a chart to summarize your results
5. How could hESC research possibly help find a cure for disease in the future? Be specific and explain how stem cell research could be applied to help find a cure to a specific disease- explain with an example.
6.What are the ethical questions and concerns raised by hESC research? List as many as you can. Explain why these are ethical concerns.
7. Describe the new breakthrough of iPSCs . What are they? What potential will they have in the future? How would this erase the ethical issues surrunding stem cells if they prove to be as promising as they seem?
8. What is the history of federal funding and stem cell research? ( checkout the stem cell history button under "resources"- highlight some important dates and decisions) Compare president Bush's policy to president Obama's policy.
9. Create a chart comparing adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and iPS stem cells. You must include: origin of these cells, if they are multi, pluri "potent", pro of these cells (+), con of these cells (-).
10. According to your "role playing character", do you feel they would support Obama's decision to lift the ban on federal funding? Explain with examples if possible.Why or why not?
At the end of your presentation, it should be clear at the end where you group "stands" on the "Big Question".
1. Research and explain briefly two current research studies or clinical trials involving stem cells. It might be helpful to make a chart to organize your response...summarize the type of stem cell used, the general nature of the experiment or research, and the outcome of the experiment. ( Hint: Use trials and research resources page)
2. Describe the process of in-vitro fertilization in detail. How are frozen embryos created from this process?
3. What are all the possible options that can be done with frozen embryos when a couple has them leftover from IVF?
4. Research and identify two embryo adoption programs. Sumarize your research about each.........(How does the process work? How many families have adopted frozen embryos ? How many children have been born via embryo adoption? ) Make a chart to summarize your results
5. How could hESC research possibly help find a cure for disease in the future? Be specific and explain how stem cell research could be applied to help find a cure to a specific disease- explain with an example.
6.What are the ethical questions and concerns raised by hESC research? List as many as you can. Explain why these are ethical concerns.
7. Describe the new breakthrough of iPSCs . What are they? What potential will they have in the future? How would this erase the ethical issues surrunding stem cells if they prove to be as promising as they seem?
8. What is the history of federal funding and stem cell research? ( checkout the stem cell history button under "resources"- highlight some important dates and decisions) Compare president Bush's policy to president Obama's policy.
9. Create a chart comparing adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and iPS stem cells. You must include: origin of these cells, if they are multi, pluri "potent", pro of these cells (+), con of these cells (-).
10. According to your "role playing character", do you feel they would support Obama's decision to lift the ban on federal funding? Explain with examples if possible.Why or why not?
Resources
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Freezing and Storing Embryos
clinical trials ( stem cell) Embryo Adoption: Information and Videos Donating Embryos to Science: University of Michigan What to do with our embryos? One couple's journey National Embryo Adoption Center
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