Stem Cell Research

Nancy E. Snow (Editor)

Description

This volume brings together essays by an internationally distinguished and diverse group of scholars. Contributors thoughtfully explore the ethical, public policy, and scientific implications of embryonic and adult stem cell research.

Part one of the book offers a variety of scientific and public policy perspectives, including essays on stem cell plasticity and using umbilical cord blood as an alternative source of pluripotent stem cells. Part two vigorously examines the ethics of stem cell research and considers issues of social justice, morality, and public policy. Scientific alternatives, a natural law perspective regarding federal funding, and a discussion of the possible moral complicity of Catholic researchers are among the distinctive contributions made to the stem cell research debate by this collection.

The objective and balanced discussions contained in this volume serve as an accessible introduction to the bioethical questions, issues, and problems surrounding stem cell research.

Sujets

• Médecine
• Médecine Générale
• Cell Biology
• Life Sciences
• Essays
• Philosophy
• Biology
• Research
• 454 Life Sciences
• Science

Informations

• Publié par: University of Notre Dame Press
• Date de parution: 15 novembre 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780268093006
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 10 Mo

Extrait

STEM

CELL

New Frontiers in Science and Ethics

Research

edited by Nancy E. Snow

University of Notre Dame Press Notre Dame, Indiana

University ofNotre Dame Press Notre Dame, Indiana46556 www.undpress.nd.edu All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2003 by University of Notre Dame

Chapter2, "Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Ethics in the Face of Uncertainty," is printed here by permission of the author and Georgetown University Press. A version of this chapter appears inGod and the Embryo: Religious Voices on Stem Cells and Cloning,edited by Brent Waters and Ronald Cole-Turner (Georgetown University Press,2003).

Publish ed in the United States ofAmerica

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Stem cell research : new frontiers in science and ethics / edited by Nancy E. Snow. p.; cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 0-268-01778-6(paper : alk. paper) isbn 13: 978-0-268-09300-6 (web pdf) 1.Stem cells and ethical aspects.—Research —Moral [DNLM:1. Ethics, Medical.2. Stem Cells.3. Ethics, Research. 4.WReligion and Medicine. 50S818 2003Snow, Nancy E.] I. qh588.s83 s74 2003 2003020077 174.2'8—dc22

∞This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Contents

INTRODUCTION

PART I

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

Stem Cell Research: New Frontiers in Science and Ethics

Scientific and Public Policy Perspectives

The Present and Future of Stem Cell Research: Scientific, Ethical, and Public Policy Perspectives David A. Prentice

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Ethics in the Face of Uncertainty Kevin T. FitzGerald, S.J.

Stem Cell Research and Religious Freedom John Langan, S.J.

Umbilical Cord Blood, Stem Cells, and Bone Marrow Transplantation Ronald M. Kline

Stem Cell Plasticity: Adult Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Differentiate into Neurons Ira B. Black and Dale Woodbury

1

9

15

23

37

47

61

vi

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Contents

PART II

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research

Stem Cell Ethics: Lessons from the Context Karen Lebacqz

Levels of Moral Complicity in the Act of Human Embryo Destruction Edward J. Furton

Stem Cells and Social Ethics: Some Catholic Contributions Lisa Sowle Cahill

The Ethics and Policy of Embryonic Stem Cell Research: A Catholic Perspective Richard M. Doerflinger

What Would You Do If . . . ? Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and the Defense of the Innocent M. Therese Lysaught

Glossary Select Bibliography Contributors Index

73

85

100

121

143

167

195 201 211 213

STEM CELL Research

Introduction

Stem Cell Research: New Frontiers in Science and Ethics

In October2001, a unique conference was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cosponsored by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Marquette University, and the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, it brought together an internationally distinguished group of scientists and ethicists to discuss the scientific, ethical, and public policy implications of stem cell research. At that time, debates about stem cell research were well underway. Fearing that discussions about human embryonic stem cell research would become as polarized as the abortion debate, the confer- ence sponsors sought to bring together presenters and panelists with a variety of perspectives on the issues. The aim was to generate more light than heat —to move the discussion on stem cell research forward. In achieving this aim, the conference was successful. It also produced the essays on the science, ethics, and public policy of stem cell research collected in this volume, which derive from panel contributions by David A. Prentice, John Langan, S.J., and Ronald M. Kline, and from presenta- tions by Kevin FitzGerald, S.J., Ira B. Black, Karen Lebacqz,

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2

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Introduction

Edward J. Furton, Lisa Sowle Cahill, Richard M. Doerflinger, and M. Therese Lysaught.

B ACKGROUND OF THE STEM CELL RESEARCH CONTROVERSY

The stem cell research controversy was prompted by the al- most simultaneous announcements in1998of the isolation of human embryonic stem cells by Dr. James Thomson and 1 human embryonic germ cells by Dr. John Gearhart. Stem cells derived from these sources are pluripotent, that is, capable of 2 differentiating into virtually every human cell type. Because of this remarkable plasticity, scientists believe that stem cell re- search will eventually yield therapies capable of treating stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and a host of other currently 3 incurable diseases. However, because human embryonic stem cells cannot be derived without destroying embryos, human embryonic stem cell research has provoked ethical and reli- gious objections. Since human embryonic germ cells are de- rived from fetal tissue, the use of aborted fetuses as a source of germ cells also raises ethical questions. Consequently, Presi- dent Clinton requested the National Bioethics Advisory Com- mission (NBAC) to study issues raised by stem cell research. NBAC held public hearings during the spring of1999and pub- 4 lished its report in1999and2000 comprehensive report. This covers scientific, legal, ethical, religious, and public policy per- spectives on stem cell research and offers a series of policy rec- ommendations. The policy of the Clinton administration re- garding the federal funding and regulation of stem cell research was to permit federal funding for stem cell research using aborted fetal tissue, placentas and umbilical cord blood, and 5 adult stem cell research. It also allowed funding for research using stem cells that had been derived from frozen embryos created for the purpose of fertility treatment that were in ex- cess of clinical need, but it prohibited research in which em-