http://scienceprogress.org/2008/04/aaas-panel-addresses-science-and-policy-of-stem-cells-and-reproductive-technologies/ Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:59:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://scienceprogress.org/2008/04/aaas-panel-addresses-science-and-policy-of-stem-cells-and-reproductive-technologies/comment-page-1/#comment-1753 Sirine Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:02:12 +0000 http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/04/aaas-panel-addresses-science-and-policy-of-stem-cells-and-reproductive-technologies/#comment-1753 Tom Nichols is right to point to the tragedy of more lives lost as we remain bogged down in seemingly pointless disputes. However, it is important not to let that frustration blind us to the very real ethical challenges posed by stem cell research. While its projected benefits are huge, it must be carefully regulated in order to avoid potential abuses. For a concrete example of one ethical dilemma connected to stem cell research, consider how you would feel about it if, instead of being used to find a cure for Parkinson's, stem cell research were being promoted solely to provide us with better quality cosmetics. Would we still think the research should be undertaken? Though I am now a strong proponent of stem cell research, in such a circumstance I'd be inclined to say no. This is based on the ethical idea that the good we are seeking should be important enough to justify treating entities with uncertain moral status as though they had no moral status. Whatever one ultimately thinks the answer to this question should be, it is undeniable that stem cell research does pose ethical challenges that ought to be considered. However, as the panelists at this event pointed out, the mere presence of ethical challenges is not a sufficient justification for banning the research altogether. Tom Nichols is right to point to the tragedy of more lives lost as we remain bogged down in seemingly pointless disputes. However, it is important not to let that frustration blind us to the very real ethical challenges posed by stem cell research. While its projected benefits are huge, it must be carefully regulated in order to avoid potential abuses.
For a concrete example of one ethical dilemma connected to stem cell research, consider how you would feel about it if, instead of being used to find a cure for Parkinson’s, stem cell research were being promoted solely to provide us with better quality cosmetics. Would we still think the research should be undertaken? Though I am now a strong proponent of stem cell research, in such a circumstance I’d be inclined to say no. This is based on the ethical idea that the good we are seeking should be important enough to justify treating entities with uncertain moral status as though they had no moral status.
Whatever one ultimately thinks the answer to this question should be, it is undeniable that stem cell research does pose ethical challenges that ought to be considered. However, as the panelists at this event pointed out, the mere presence of ethical challenges is not a sufficient justification for banning the research altogether.

]]> http://scienceprogress.org/2008/04/aaas-panel-addresses-science-and-policy-of-stem-cells-and-reproductive-technologies/comment-page-1/#comment-1721 Tom Nichols Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:58:18 +0000 http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/04/aaas-panel-addresses-science-and-policy-of-stem-cells-and-reproductive-technologies/#comment-1721 Stem Cell research is ethically challenging only to those which accept a pre determined conclusion...often spouted from our politicians, and some religious leaders. How many lives must be lost before funding will be set at a high enough threshold to make this life saving research possible? Stem Cell research is ethically challenging only to those which accept a pre determined conclusion…often spouted from our politicians, and some religious leaders.
How many lives must be lost before funding will be set at a high enough threshold to make this life saving research possible?

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