Ethical, Legal and Social Issues of RM

What does stem cell research mean in my world?

New technologies have jump-started the pace of stem cell discovery in recent years. Stem cell therapies being developed today will gradually become commonplace in treating our health problems.

But should we accept these new technologies without considering their implications to society? For example, we might hear about the benefits of a stem cell therapy, but what are the risks? All of us - researchers, policymakers and the public - have a responsibility to explore the potential effects of stem cell research on our lives so that we can make informed decisions.

For each new application of stem cell technology, we must consider:

• What are the benefits?
• What are the risks?
• Whom will the technology help? Does it have the potential to hurt anyone?
• What does this mean for me? For my family? For others around me?
• Why might others not share my view?

Ethical, legal and social issues.

There are several types of issues to consider as we think about stem cell research.

Ethical issues are those that ask us to consider the potential moral outcomes of stem cell technologies.

Legal issues require researchers and the public to help policymakers decide whether and how stem cell technologies should be regulated by the government.

Social issues involve the impact of stem cell technologies on society as a whole.

Some questions to ponder.

The questions raised here have no clear right or wrong answer. Instead, your response will depend on your own set of values, as well as the opinions of those around you.

• How far should researchers take stem cell technologies? Just because we can do something, should we? Why or why not?
• Should the government provide funding for embryonic stem cell research? Why or why not?
• Should there be laws to regulate stem cell research? If so, what would they look like? For example, how would you regulate research using different types of stem cells, such as embryonic, fetal or adult stem cells? What about embryonic stem cells created using cloning technologies?
• Do embryonic stem cells represent a human life? This is an ongoing debate that brings up the question of when life begins. Should the embryo or fetus have any rights in the matter? Who has the authority to decide?
• Should frozen embryos created through in vitro fertilization be used to create stem cells?Why or why not?