'Research ethics' Category
The British Cord Blood Dilemma
It’s ironic that the United Kingdom, one of the countries on the forefront of new biomedical research, (including embryo-destructive stem cell research), has no organized system for utilizing one of the best sources of stems cells: umbilical cord blood. Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, the wife of Britain’s Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, found this out in [...]
Shifting Standards in International Research Ethics
The Declaration of Helsinki has long been regarded as the leading international standard on human research ethics. Drafted in 1964, the Declaration upholds basic patient rights and governs the business practices of clinical researchers. In spite of the Declaration’s widely accepted ethical authority, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration terminated its reliance on the Declaration [...]
Ethics and Practicality in the Stem Cell Debate
Exciting new success stories with non-embryonic stem cells have come to light in recent weeks. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which destroy the embryo when harvested, sources of non-embryonic stem cells include bone marrow and umbilical cord blood. The list of potential sources for these non-embryonic stem cells continues to grow as research expands. In a [...]
To Clone or Not to Clone? (13)
Today’s podcast is all about the subject of human cloning. The discussion is based on Dr. Sullivan’s recent public testimony before an Ohio Senate subcommittee on a bill to ban human cloning. We examine the context of cloning, both as a possible reproductive technology and (more likely) as a source of human embryos for stem [...]
Maybe Not So Good News?
In a recent post, entitled “Good News for Everyone,” we rejoiced over the news that two independent teams of researchers had converted ordinary human skin cells into embryonic stem cells. They started out with human fibroblasts, then inserted four genes that caused the cells to become pluripotent, that is, to have the ability to grow [...]
Good News for Everyone
Recently, with Christmas still over a month away, two independent teams of scientists gave the world an early holiday present. And this is a gift that may keep on giving for years to come. I’m talking, of course, about the announcment on November 20th that researchers had converted ordinary human skin cells into embryonic stem [...]
Gambling on Stem Cell Research
In a surprising development for the Garden State, a recent poll shows that nearly half of New Jersey citizens want to leave. Economic factors such as high property taxes, high health-insurance premiums, and expensive housing are making emigration more and more appealing, especially to the middle-class. The solution? Governor John Corzine wants to borrow half [...]
Hype or Real Hope in Biotechnology?
Ethicist Nigel Cameron has called this the “Biotech Century,” which is certainly apt, given all of the excitement over new ways to intervene into biology and medicine, even tantalizing research to change our genetic makeup and to lengthen human life. But here’s a sober bit of perspective. “Biotech” has become such a holy grail, attracting [...]
A Pearl on Stem Cell Research
Since the bioethics news has been so serious lately, I thought we should take a break this week, and just enjoy my favorite (slightly warped) comic strip, Pearls Before Swine. This one is about stem cell research (just left click to enlarge). I promise to return to my usual commentary next week! Pearls Before Swine [...]
Stemming the Tide of Controversy
A little bit of perspective can go a long way. If one believes the media, Dr. Catherine Verfaillie is a biased scientist whose research has significant flaws. Just as we suspected all along (they seem to say), the defects in her work “prove” that adult sources of stem cells are of no value, and we [...]
