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The Science and Ethics of
Stem Cell Research
Bioethical
Principles
Warmup

Read “How are Embryonic Stem Cells
Used?”
◦ Rows 1 &2: Start with front side (pg 73)
◦ Rows 3 & 4: start on back side (pg 74)

Start a new page in your NOTES section
of your binder and 1-2 sentences to
summarize each of the 4 ways stem cells
are used
How are decisions made in difficult
situations?

Bioethical principles
◦ Multiple ethical perspectives are evaluated
◦ Ethics is an organized system of thought that
reflects on and studies the moral life.
 Questions about what is right and wrong
◦ Set of agreed-upon guiding principles
Bioethical Principles
1.
Respect for Persons: Autonomy
Acknowledging an individual’s right to make
choices, to hold views, and to take actions
based on personal values and beliefs.
•
Rules for informed consent
•
Respect for individuals from
vulnerable populations
Bioethical Principles
2. Do Good (Beneficence) and
Do No Harm (Nonmaleficence )
•
Helping others, acting in their best
interests, and being a benefit to them.
Requires positive action.
•
Also, one does no harm, even if one
cannot help another.
(Hippocratic Oath)
Bioethical Principles
3.
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Justice--Be Fair:
Persons who are equals
should qualify for equal
treatment.
Resources, risks, and
costs should be
distributed equitably.
(Aristotle)
Bioethical Principles
Care:
The maintenance of healthy, caring
relationships between individuals
and within a community.
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1.
2.
3.
4.

Think of the following scenarios:
Your parent respecting the privacy of your
room
Your boss refraining from belittling you out
of anger
Your aunt helping you with homework
Your grandpa being fair between you and
your sibling (or cousin)
What do they look like? Why?
Stakeholders
Who is affected by bioethical decisions?
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Parents
Siblings
Relatives
Doctors
Researchers
Religious Leaders
Voters
Politicians
One Family’s Dilemma

Read the case study

Homework:
◦ Decisions, Decisions chart
◦ My Perspective: Embryonic Stem Cells
 Complete front AND back of
“Student Handout 3.3” (pages 87-88)