Module 8: Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research
Introduction and Learning Objectives:
Module 8 introduces
At the conclusion of this module, students should be able to:
- Appreciate the nuances between ethical theories surrounding the moral status of human embryos;
- Describe ethical and social concerns in egg donation;
- Distinguish the ethics of somatic versus germline gene editing for therapeutic and enhancement purposes;
- Evaluate the individual risks associated with premature commercialization of stem cell clinical applications;
- Consider the equitable access to stem cell treatments for patients with serious diseases;
- Discuss the implications of novel stem cell technologies to the public in a sensible way balancing its potential and avoiding hype.
Core Concept
- Embryo ethics
- Ethics of egg donation
- Ethics of gene editing
- Premature translation of stem cell interventions
- Fetal tissue
- Access to future stem cell therapies
- Responsible communication of science to the public
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