Download The impact of a limited supply of stem cell lines on

The impact of a limited supply of stem cell lines on
stem cell research and potential solutions.
Vinodhini Namratha Gowda
IB Extended Essay
Philosophy
Abstract:
On August 9, 2001, President George W. Bush declared that the United States
government funding for stem cell research would be limited to research on existing stem
cell lines. This announcement posed dilemmas for stem cell researchers who were
dependent on federal funding and on having an abundant supply of stem cell lines. This
paper explores the alternative methods for conducting stem cell research without federal
funding. In addition, there are moral and ethical issues raised by the creation of stem
cells lines, one of which is whether an embryo is considered a human. The alternative
methods for deriving stem cell lines that have been uncovered are discussed along with
how they have contributed to and the impact they have had on recent research efforts.
In conclusion, alternative methods to overcome issues of funding, methods, and
process efficiency have been found, but there are still ongoing debates on an acceptable
position on the moral and ethical issues. If a non-destructive method for deriving the
stem cells from embryos could be found, then embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics
could provide a viable source of stem cell lines while eliminating the issues of moral and
ethical beliefs.
Table of Contents:
I. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
II. Personal Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
III. Defining Stem Cells and the Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
IV. Ethical Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
A. Pros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
B. Cons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
V. Personal Suggestion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
VI. Alternate Approaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
A. New Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
B. Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
VII. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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