Module 8: Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research
Introduction and Learning Objectives:
Module 7 discusses how stem cell technologies can be leveraged for clinical applications. The module builds upon developmental biology concepts applied to stem cell differentiation, transdifferentiation, and direct reprogramming for therapeutic purposes. It reinforces the advantage of embryonic and adult stem cell technologies for in vitro and in vivo disease modeling. Specific examples are provided for stem cell applications, from using them to compare normal and pathological states to uncovering novel treatments to cell replacement therapies. Finally, students will be presented with an introduction to ethical, business, and legal frameworks related to stem cells.
At the conclusion of this module, students should be able to:
- Define different methods for using stem cells to study and treat disease;
- Distinguish disease modeling from cell replacement;
- Compare the use of pluripotent or adult stem cell strategies to treat different disease scenarios;
- Calculate potential risks of utilizing stem cells as a therapeutic strategy;
- Formulate a workflow for how one would apply these techniques to a new disease;
- Identify what tests must be completed before a new cell therapy can be considered for clinical application;
- Debate whether there are some diseases for which cell replacement therapy would not work.
Core Concept
- Overview of clinical application of stem cell technologies
- Pluripotent stem cell differentiation
- Transdifferentiation and direct programming
- Adult stem cell disease modeling and therapy
- Stem cell therapy guidelines and clinical trials
This module is part of the ISSCR's Core Concepts in Stem Cell Biology: Syllabus and Learning Guide. To access the experiments, theories, and primary and secondary literature that support each of these concepts, download the complete resource by using the form on the right-hand side of this webpage.
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Education Committee
Esteban Orlando Mazzoni, PhD (Chair)
New York University, USA
William J. Anderson, PhD
Harvard University, USA
Sina Bartfeld, PhD
University of Wuerzburg, Germany
Anna Couturier
EuroStemCell and University of Edinburgh, UK
Yvanka de Soysa, PhD
Boston Children's Hospital, USA
Robin Scott Hawley, PhD
Stowers Institute for Medical Research, USA
Ping Hu, PhD
Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Yuin Han Jonathan Loh, PhD
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore
Lolitika Mandal, PhD
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, India
Zubin Master, PhD
Mayo Clinic, USA
Alysson Renato Muotri, PhD
University of California, San Diego, USA
Jose Maria Polo, PhD
Monash University, Australia
Julie Perlin, PhD
International Society for Stem Cell Research, USA