Jim and the Forgotten Embryos

A Case on Stem Cell-Based Therapy

Author:	Miriam Segura-Totten Department of Biology North Georgia College & State University mstotten@northgeorgia.edu
Abstract:	The goal of this case study is to expose students to the basics of embryonic stem cells, their therapeutic uses, and the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cells through the story of a college student, Jim Allison, who becomes paralyzed after a car accident. Jim is approached by a team of doctors to participate in a study where patients are injected with embryonic stem cells in the hopes that these cells will regenerate damaged nerve cells. The case follows Jim and his family as they grapple with the decision of participating in a study that leads to the destruction of embryos. This case study is based loosely on the story of Timothy J. Atchison, the Alabama college student who was the first patient to receive embryonic stem cells as part of a study to determine their effectiveness in treating spinal injuries. It was developed for a non-majors biology class, but can be adapted for use in an introductory biology course.
Objectives:	To learn the basics about embryonic and adult stem cells. To learn about the source of embryonic stem cells. To learn how stem cells may be used therapeutically. To discuss the basis of the controversy behind embryonic stem cells.
Keywords:	Stem cells; stem cell therapy; cell-based therapy; stem cell research; embryonic stem cells; adult stem cells; pluripotent; mulitipotent; in vitro fertilization; IVF; bioethics
Topical Area:	Ethics, Social issues
Educational Level:	High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division
Formats:	PDF
Type/Method:	Dilemma/Decision, Discussion, Interrupted
Language:	English
Subject Headings:	Biology (General) Biotechnology Cell Biology
Date Posted:	2/2/2012
Date Modified:	N/A
Copyright:	Copyright held by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Please see our usage guidelines, which outline our policy concerning permissible reproduction of this work.

Teaching Notes

Case teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience and how the case may be taught, a case analysis or answer key, and references.

Download Teaching Notes

Answer Key

Answer keys provide answers to the questions posed in a case study. Since these questions are intended to be answered by students and are often graded, answer keys are password-protected and access to them is limited to registered instructors.

I do like this case study. I am now introducing case studies in my Human Biology class for non-science majors, Among the activities of the class, students write a number of reports during the semester. One of them is entitled "What is stem cell research?" In it, students describe the characteristics of stem cells, the various kinds of stem cells, and the various degrees of potency of stem cells. I provide them with several Internet addresses for material. I ask them to stay away from their opinion on the ethics of stem cell research. My interest is to provide the students with sufficient information about stem cells so that they can address the ethics of stem cell research in their philosophy courses. We discuss this report in class.

Francis Sullivan
Biology
Metropolitan State College of Denver
Denver, CO
Frank.Sullivan@q.com
2/7/2012

Name:
Email:
Department:
Institution:
City State:
Comments:
	Enter Security Code:

Username
Password

	Register \| Lost Your Password?