Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Ethical Challenges in Stem Cell Research
Embryonic stem cells are usually harvested from surplus human embryos created for women using alternate fertility methods. The cells are valuable to researchers because they are like blank slates - they can be manipulated into becoming almost any kind of cell in the human body, in a way that adult stem cells cannot. Scientists say stem cell research may hold the key to curing diseases and repairing injuries, but opponents say using embryos in this way is unethical and causes the end of a human. The resulting controversy is the subject of much political disagreement over what should be allowed, and what should and should not receive federal funding. Join us this Tuesday for a conversation on the ethical challenges involved in embryonic stem cell research. Because this is an archive edition of the show, we won't be taking calls today.
Listen to the Show
Related Links:
- How Stem Cells Work
- The 2008 Candidates' Positions on Stem Cell Research
- Pew Forum: Stem Cells
- New York Times Topics: Stem Cells
- Research Ethics and Stem Cells
- Wikipedia: Stem Cell Controversy
