What are the ethical implications of stem cell research

Christine Akhuetie Extended Project

Table of contents

1. ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………………........................................2

2. LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………………………........................................2

2.1 Understanding Stem Cell Research……………………………………………………...2

2.2 The Debate…………………………………………………………………………………...3

3. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………………5

What are Stem Cells?...............................................................................................5

Embryonic and Somatic Stem Cells…………………………………………………...6

Why is there such an interest in stem cell research?............................................7

What makes stem cell research so controversial?...............................................7

Why this topic?..........................................................................................................7

4. DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………………………………………11

4.1 Stem cells as the future of regenerative medicine?....................................................11

Debate over the use of embryonic cells.........................................................11

Stem cells - the taking of human life?........................................................................13

Stem cells as the future of regenerative medicine?.......................................13

Judaism………………………………………………………………………………….14

Islam……………………………………………………………………………………...15

Hinduism and Buddhism……………………………………………………………...16

What moral status does the human embryo have?....................................................17

The embryo has full moral status from fertilisation onward……………………..17

There is a cut off point at 14 days after fertilisation……………………………....18

The embryo has increasing status as it develops………………………………...18

The embryo has no moral status at all……………………………………………...19

5. CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………………………………19

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………………………………..20

1. Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to understand the ethical implications of stem cell research.

A colony of embryonic stem cells, from the H9 cell...

English: This image is of cell line SA02 (http://s...

Sen. Tom Harkin speaks at a rally held by the Coal...

In this project, I will tackle views of those who support the use of stem cell research and those against the use of stem cell research. This will allow me to reduce the degree to which my report is bias and ensure I offer accurate, valid opinions. I will achieve this by looking at both views from a fair, objective perspective that supports both arguments. The piece will be structured in such a way that I confront the judgments behind the scientific explanations for why stem cell research is necessary and provide information of different religious and non-religious groups, opposing and supporting stem cell research. Most of my paper will offer descriptions of differing points of views and justifications for these point of views as well as providing sound knowledge of what stem cell research involves.

The dissertation will conclude that although it...