Brian Ethics
Brian Ethics and Religious leaders
You group will answer the following questions playing the role of bioethicists and/or religious leaders of your choice. Limited federal funding under the Bush administration has allowed work with limited cell lines from donated human embryos. Under the Obama administration, these restrictions have been lifted. You will use the answers to these questions to formulate your 2-3 minute presentation/commercial. In your presentation, it should be clear at the end where you "stand" on the "Big Question". Depending on the religious leaders and bioethicists you choose to "role-play", there could be several differences in your presentations. Remember, not all bioethicists and religious leaders agree.
" As our nation invests in science and innovation and pursues advances in biomedical research and healthcare, it's imperative that we do so in a responsible manner" -President Barack Obama
1. What is the job of the bioethicist? Why is it important to have scientists discuss ethics?
2. What is the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical issues? What does the Commission do? Explain.
3. 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: go to the trials and research page- scroll down to the link on the lower left side )
4. What are the ethical questions and concerns raised by hESC research? List as many as you can. Explain why these are ethical concerns.
5. Research two specific bioethicists and explain their ethical perspectives on stem cell research.
6. Choose three religions . Research the ethical perspectives about stem cell research for each religion you choose. What does each religious platform believe about stem cell research? How are they alike? How are they different? (Create a chart might be helpful to organize your information)
7. Explain, in detail, the process of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and how this creates embryos for stem cell research. How do the religions/bioethicists that you have researched feel about IVF?
8. Describe how stem cells can be created from cloned embryos (SCNT) and how this differs from IVF created embryos. What ethical issues do SCNT embryos create?
9. According to your "character playing role", 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?
10. 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 (-).
" As our nation invests in science and innovation and pursues advances in biomedical research and healthcare, it's imperative that we do so in a responsible manner" -President Barack Obama
1. What is the job of the bioethicist? Why is it important to have scientists discuss ethics?
2. What is the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical issues? What does the Commission do? Explain.
3. 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: go to the trials and research page- scroll down to the link on the lower left side )
4. What are the ethical questions and concerns raised by hESC research? List as many as you can. Explain why these are ethical concerns.
5. Research two specific bioethicists and explain their ethical perspectives on stem cell research.
6. Choose three religions . Research the ethical perspectives about stem cell research for each religion you choose. What does each religious platform believe about stem cell research? How are they alike? How are they different? (Create a chart might be helpful to organize your information)
7. Explain, in detail, the process of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and how this creates embryos for stem cell research. How do the religions/bioethicists that you have researched feel about IVF?
8. Describe how stem cells can be created from cloned embryos (SCNT) and how this differs from IVF created embryos. What ethical issues do SCNT embryos create?
9. According to your "character playing role", 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?
10. 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 (-).
Resources
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ( search "stem cells" and also see human life and dignity issues)
Vatican Gets Behind Adult Stem Cell Research Catholic Bishops and Stem Cell research |