Stem Cells: Promises to Keep?
Author(s)
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/collection/detail.html?case_id=445&id=445Division of Biological and Health Sciences
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
yaich@pitt.edu
Abstract
Samantha and her husband Brad have two children, conceived with the help of in vitro fertilization treatments. After viewing a TV program on stem cells and their potential medical uses, Samantha is convinced that they should donate the remaining frozen embryos they have to medical research, an idea Brad strongly objects to. The case teaches about stem cells and their medical applications as well as the ethical dilemmas posed by their use.
Objectives
- To discuss the concept of the “stem cell.”
- To learn about differences between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
- To discover what types of adult stem cells exist.
- To discuss biomedical applications for stem cells.
- To debate ethical dilemmas posed by stem cell use.
Keywords
Stem cells; stem cell therapy; stem cell research; embryonic stem cells; adult stem cells; pluripotent; hematopoietic; senescence; bioethicsEducational Level
Undergraduate upper divisionFormat
PDFType Methods
Analysis (Issues), DiscussionLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Cell Biology Biotechnology
Date Posted
07/09/02Teaching Notes
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